Business of Furniture - December 27, 2024
- ASK STEPHEN - "My Bosses Don't Recognize My Talent Unless I Raise My Hand" - Stephen Viscusi - Here is a bit of Viscusi advice to everyone reading this – simply do not be offended if you need to ask for a promotion. That's just how it goes. After all, you should be constantly selling yourself, and you are your own brand ambassador.
- Worklab Expands to Downtown Ada: A New Hub for Entrepreneurs and Remote Workers - A membership with Worklab provides access to a range of premium features designed for professionals and businesses. Full-Time Members enjoy 24/7 access to BOTH Worklab locations.
- Fräsch Expands Popular FAZR Line with FAZR Wall - Fräsch has launched FAZR Wall, an innovative acoustic wall panel system that combines superior sound control with a modern aesthetic, available in 36 colors and wood grain finishes. Designed for sustainability, it enhances various environments while maintaining eco-friendly standards.
- ORGATEC WORKSPACE Saudi Arabia from 2025 in Riyadh - Koelnmesse and dmg events are joining forces to bring their leading brands, ORGATEC and WORKSPACE, on a joint platform in Saudi Arabia.
- Nassimi Reaffirms Environmental Stewardship with Release of Annual Sustainability Report - Report Highlights Milestones, Sets Ambitious Goals, and Reflects on 20+ Years of Sustainability Leadership
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Jeff Turk Returns to Guide Formaspace's Next Chapter / Susan Pilato Joins NeoCon Advisory Council / Global Furniture Group, USA Adds to its Growing Team in the Northeast and South Florida / Introducing the New Mayer + JSI Midway Coated + Performance Card / Making Its 18th Appearance, EFE 2025 Gets Better and Better and Welcomes Quality Buyers From Over 140 Countries / 2025 BIFMA Learning Series Beginning-of-Year Schedule / Kathy Pierce: An Industry Rock Star Retires
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Artcobell Releases the Ted Table - We all knew a "Ted" in high school.
- Andreu World Announces the Winning Project of the 23rd International Design Contest - The contest emphasized its solidarity with Valencia and support for those affected by the DANA storms.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale's Freedom 25 Chair Wins Best of Year Award - The Freedom 25th Anniversary Signature Edition has been recognized as a winner of Interior Design's 2024 Best of Year Awards.
- Spacestor: Top Trends in Education for 2025: Designing Spaces for the Future of Learning - The rise of hybrid and blended learning models, combining in-person and online instruction, continues to redefine educational environments.
- NEWH, Inc. Awards $75K in Scholarships During BDNY 2024 - Association Celebrates 40 Years of Empowering the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders
- MillerKnoll Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results - Consolidated net sales in the second quarter were up 2.2% year-over-year, driven by strength in International Contract & Specialty and in Americas Contract. Maintaining gross margin strength, with consolidated gross margins of 38.8% in the quarter.
- New In Classifieds - Join Artopex: Territory Managers & Manufacturer Reps Needed! | Artopex is a leading Canadian manufacturer of innovative office furniture solutions. We are seeking dynamic and results-driven: Territory Managers for Texas (San Antonio & Austin only) & Georgia; Manufacturer Rep Group for North & South Carolina; Territory Manager or Manufacturer Rep Group for Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan & Eastern Indiana. Read more on page 84.
- PLACES - Tiger Tribe Offices – Ho Chi Minh City | The space design incorporates natural elements and modern touches interwoven with greenery and natural light, embodying the feel of an "Urban Jungle.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Celebrating Haworth's Best of Year Awards / HNI Corporation Ranks in Newsweek's List of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2025 / ASID 2025 Trends Outlook Preview / The Good Plastic Company and Mario Romano Unveil Future-Driven M|R Walls X Polygood Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 13 & 20, 2024
- ASK STEPHEN - "A Little Appreciation Goes A Long Way" - Stephen Viscusi - I often tell my CEO clients or the sales managers that I recruit for, sometimes a little appreciation shown to your employees is better and more effective than a raise.
- Design Miami Concludes Successful 2024 Edition of Flagship Miami Beach Fair - "We are thrilled with the success of our American debut at Design Miami 2024."
- The Glamorous Mediterranean Coast Serves as Inspiration for EF Contract's Latest Collection - High Society also coordinates thoughtfully with existing EF Contract LVT and Kinetex offerings, providing a full suite of flooring solutions.
- Fluid & Functional: Knoll Introduces Panoramic Sofa in North America - The Panoramic Sofa Collection stands out for its ability to transform. It can be arranged to be perfectly in sync with the surrounding environment and the user's needs thanks to its organically shaped seat and removable, reconfigurable backrests.
- The Salone del Mobile at Art Week Miami 2024 - Here's how the recently completed 2024 edition went.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Clear Design Expands Sales Team / Allsteel's Tell Me More Podcast Explores Trauma Informed Design with Three-Part Miniseries / AMQ Welcomes Allie Koning as new Territory Manager for Northern California / Leading North & Central CA Business Supplies & Interiors Dealer Acquires Again / New Tandem Seating Solutions Enhance Versteel's Socius Collection / The Mitchell Group Continues to Expand its Mitchell Collection / Celebrate in Color: Tekla Reborn with New Palette / Encore's New Outset Tables Fuse Contemporary Craftmanship and Geometric Precision / Textile Manufacturer Launches Digital Toolkit to Help Design Professionals Bring Mocha Mousse to Life
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Kirei Launches Tessellate Cloud and Pizzelle Cloud - Tessellate Cloud and Pizzelle Cloud are both part of Carnegie Acoustic Solutions' Tuned Collection.
- Neocon to Unveil Elevated New 7th Floor Exhibit Hall at 2025 Edition - Strategically designed for optimal visibility, accessibility, and differentiation, these areas will ensure a cohesive experience for exhibitors and attendees.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale's Active Pony - Award Winning Lumbar Support - Active Pony from Humanscale is an award-winning ergonomic stool that promotes healthier, more active sitting.
- CIFM/interzum guangzhou 2025: The Driving Force of Innovation for the Furniture Industry - The furniture industry is undergoing rapid evolution, supported by favorable real estate policies, the renewal of aging furniture, and growing demand.
- MillerKnoll is the First Office Furniture Manufacturer to Announce Elimination of PFAS from North American Brand Portfolio of Products - Building on recent Chemical Footprint Project recognitionand legacy as a safe chemistry leader.
- Salone del Mobile.Milano 2025 First Insights: Thought for Humans. - Robert Wilson to open the 2025 edition of the Salone del Mobile, illuminating Michelangelo's Pietà Rondanini.
- New In Classifieds - Partner with Fluidconcepts: We're on the Lookout for Dynamic Independent Rep Groups | Partner with Fluidconcepts to Inspire Workspaces Across these Regions: North Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas; Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas; Minnesota, Wisconsin If you're experienced in building relationships with designers and dealers and have a passion for innovative furniture, we'd love to hear from you. Read more on page 92.
- PLACES - Amway Offices – Jakarta | This office design embodies a vision of "well-being every day," prioritizing spaces that promote health, comfort, and inspiration.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Allsteel's Admix Wins Interior Design's Best of Year Award / Configura Expands CET Commercial Interiors with Materials Database / HON's Storyline Wins Interior Design's Best of Year Award / 5 Day Quick Ship Program for ICONIC Acton Stacker / Leading Furniture Specialists Umbrella Furniture Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 6, 2024
- Luum Textiles Announces the Retirement of Suzanne Tick, Creative Director of Luum Textiles - Honoring an industry legend.
- ASK STEPHEN - "Bosses Who Refuse to Embrace Technology Lose Talent - Especially Millennials. It's that Simple." - Stephen Viscusi - Also: Live From Miami: BoF's Ask Stephen at Art Basel Miami Design Week
- Introducing Ribbon, a Collaboration Between Designtex and Artist Sophie Smallhorn - This collaboration underscores the transformative power of integrating art into functional design.
- Studio TK, In Partnership with Artifort, Expands Pala Lounge Line With A Disc Base - Sleek and Welcoming, the Pedestal Base Enhances the Pala Lounge Chair for Ultimate Rest and Relaxation
- OMT-Veyhl USA Corporation Releases New Tube Leg Offering - Designed to effortlessly perform in a modern office environment, engineered to last, and manufactured to a level of quality and efficiency that is among the best in the industry, we're the production partner you can rely on.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - COE Distributing Announces 100% Employee Ownership / Source International Welcomes Two Industry Veterans to Its Leadership Team / Omni Workspace Announces Lori Murray as General Manager of Atmosphere Commercial Interiors' New Mexico Location / Landscape Forms Appoints Sarah Stangel as Business Development Representative for Massachusetts and Rhode Island / Allsteel Celebrates the Stanley Center for Peace and Security as the Workplace Winner at the 2024 Planet Positive Awards / Kimball International's Boston Showroom Earns WELL Certified™ Platinum Distinction / IIDA NY Honors Rachel Robinson For Dedication to Student Mentorship / Embrace Natural Materials and Textures / National Unveils Fringe 2.0 Coming Early 2025 / Ultrafabrics Partners with Pantone to Celebrate 2025 Color of the Year: Mocha Mousse / BIFMA: Clarifying Sustainability Standards Through Furniture (accredited CEU) / AMQ Names Wendy Sanchez as Territory Manager for Southern California / KI Achieves Green Master Status Recognized by the Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council / Steelcase Recognized as Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly Employer by Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Introducing JSI's Henley Chair - The JSI team sought to create a product that captured the essence of the brand – elements of its own nearly 150-year history, artfully made details and a contagious attitude of positivity.
- Shaw Contract Hospitality Brings Powerful Presence to BDNY - The commercial flooring leader showcased two new collections at the annual boutique design fair.
- UPFRONT: Introducing New 9to5 Seating Breeze 2.0 Card - Durable, easily cleanable fabrics blend texture and color for enterprise-wide applications.
- Carnegie Acoustic Solutions Announces Xorel Artform U Baffle - U Baffle, a Part of the Tuned Collection, Defines Elegance in Ceiling Acoustics with Xorel Textiles and Kirei PET
- Brentano's 2025 Color Forecast Unveils Stunning Autumnal Hues, Inviting You to Explore Tantalizing, Rich Tones - Six deeply flavorful and captivating colorways grace Brentano's latest color forecast.
- The Salone Del Mobile.Milano in Miami During World Art Week - After events in New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Munich, the Salone del Mobile.Milano begins the International Road Show in the United States, starting in Miami.
- New In Classifieds - Partner with Fluidconcepts: We're on the Lookout for Dynamic Independent Rep Groups | Partner with Fluidconcepts to Inspire Workspaces Across these Regions: North Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas; Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas; Minnesota, Wisconsin If you're experienced in building relationships with designers and dealers and have a passion for innovative furniture, we'd love to hear from you. Read more on page 94.
- PLACES - Yamaha Offices – Ho Chi Minh City | The Yamaha office is not just a workspace but also a hub for creativity and innovation.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Shaken Not Stirred: Bakes & Kropp Hosts A Night of Top-Tier Partnerships in West Palm Beach / Sixth Avenue Custom Millwork Launches Revamped Website to Enhance Client Experience / Arcadis Welcomes Heena P. Santry, MD MS FACS, as Healthcare Market Leader to Support Strategic Expansion of US Healthcare Practice / Muuto and DWR Introduce Settle / Altispace Unveils Two New Elegant PET Colors: Cream and Sand / ASID Highlights Growth of Interior Design Practice With 2024 State of Interior Design Report / Tayco: Welcoming Ryan Martin as Our New Regional Sales Manager / Tayco Welcomes STIR to Our Network of Independent Reps
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 22 & 29, 2024
- Happy Thanksgiving - Bellow Press is wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!
- Stefanie Schwalb: HON Company's First Wooden Guest Chair, Confer, Launches in NYC - Confer was designed by The HON Company's industrial designer David Mehaffey. With his expertise in blending functionality and aesthetics, Mehaffey sees Confer being widely used throughout the floorplate in spaces like private offices, collaborative work areas, lobby lounges, and cafés.
- ASK STEPHEN - "Design Miami + Art Basel Are The NeoCon of December!" - Stephen Viscusi - These fairs are definitely getting a stronger attendance from the furniture industry these days, both contract and residential. Guess what! Many of your customers are going on their own dime because designers find it inspirational and end users want to be in the know.
- Kirei Launches the Terrazzo Collection, Four New Kirei Ink Prints - The New Ice Cream-Inspired Terrazzo Collection Sprinkles Sustainability Into Every Space
- Allsteel Unveils Life Cycle Assessment Results for Beyond Architectural Products, Highlighting Significant Environmental Benefits Over Traditional Construction Materials - Allsteel architectural walls offer substantial environmental advantages over traditional construction materials. These benefits grow with each reconfiguration, making demountable walls an ideal choice for creating sustainable and adaptable office spaces.
- Humanscale: Building a Circular Economy with Sustainable Manufacturing in the Real World - Humanscale's 2023 CSR Report details a new year of progress across six core sustainability pillars: Climate & Energy, Water, Circularity, Wildlife Preservation, Healthy Materials, and Social Responsibility.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - AMQ Welcomes Brooke Jende as Business Development Manager; Reynel Hettich as Territory Manager for Southwest Region / KI Awards $40,000 of Furniture to Winning Educators in Third Annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway / Hightower Signs The Climate Pledge / Wagstaff Interiors Celebrates Successful Charity Casino Night / Pennsylvania Interior Designers Pass Historic Legislation / Stylex Appoints Tina Brennan as Vice President of Marketing and Sustainability / J+J Flooring's Gallery Edit Reinterprets Art Techniques into Modular Carpet / Wayfair's First Large-Format Store Leverages Striking Architectural Metal Solutions / Configura Launches CET 15.5 Major Update with Next Phase of UI Facelift
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: The Nook Sensory Shelter Takes Home All-A's At EDspaces - Nook's Sensory Shelter, a transformative alcove that enables users to find respite for individual or shared retreat, won the Best in Show Award at EDspaces 2024.
- Showroom Pays Tribute to Historic Neighborhood Through 1920s-inspired Lighting Design - A combination of Berri-3D and Berri-Angular luminaires were arranged to illuminate the main entrance of Tangram, which also serves as a client reception space and hospitality area.
- UPFRONT: IIDA Announces Winners of Second Annual WestEdge Design Fair Product and Booth Awards - "Our continued partnership with WestEdge Design Fair allows us to cast a spotlight on the show's creativity and innovation for the design industry as a whole."
- BDNY 2024 Sets the Stage for The Future of Boutique Hospitality - A focus on design, creativity, and forward-thinking concepts attracts nearly 16,000 design professionals.
- Spacestor Summit 2024: A Celebration of Bold Ideas and Bright Futures - Welcoming strategic partners from across the UK's design, architecture, and furniture industries, the day was a celebration of ideas, connections, and a shared mission.
- Nowy Styl and Kusch+Co Unveiled Twenty New Products and Finishes at Orgatec 2024 - Featuring bold new colors and designs to inspire dynamic, collaborative workspaces.
- New In Classifieds - Indiana Furniture: We're Seeking A Western Regional Manager To Join Our Growing Team! | Join a fun and collaborative team! Indiana Furniture is looking for a passionate, energetic, and entrepreneurial individual to be responsible for Leading Sales Strategies, Managing Independent Sales Rep Groups/Territories, and Developing Customer Relationships in the western United States. Read more on page 110.
- PLACES - Domal Showroom – Milan | The interior design uses natural materials such as wood and TerraVista, a raw earth plaster by Matteo Brioni, to create a cosy environment that evokes nature and highlights the products in their different color schemes.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - The Mitchell Group Unveils Redesigned Website for Enhanced User Experience / Mantra Inspired Furniture Accepted as a Member of "Be Original Americas" / Nevers Industries Unveils Rio and Leeza Collections on CET / Hirsh Industries GSA Contract / Välinge joins Australian Resilient Flooring Association (ARFA) / Oppenheim Architecture Expands EU Interiors Studio / Arcadis Welcomes Jeffrey Till, AIA LEED AP, as Principal in San Francisco Placemaking Practice / Joel Fidler to be Next President of Ayers Saint Gross / Calyx LCS Porcelain Patient Boards
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 15, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: BDNY Heads Back to the Javits As Hospitality Elements Level Up in Sensory Experiences - "I think there's more exhibitors or at least the quality of the exhibitors are higher. The show has a good approach and it's growing better each year."
- Revolutionary & Evolutionary: Knoll Introduces a Revival of the Morrison Hannah Chair - Bruce Hannah has made a career of mastering modern technology and materials to create efficient, practical products.
- Tayco Launches the New Studi Table: A Game-Changer for Dynamic Workspaces - Designed to cater to the evolving needs of modern workspaces, the Studi Table is a mobile, multifunctional table that enhances the versatility of office environments. Whether for classrooms, training rooms, or collaborative spaces, the Studi Table seamlessly integrates into any setting, offering unparalleled convenience and functionality.
- ASK STEPHEN - "Hate Them Or Love Them, You Gotta Drink With Them" - Stephen Viscusi - Listen, I'm not telling you to go out with your colleagues whenever they invite you out, but if it has gotten to the point where you are worried the people you work with think you don't like them, it seems to me it's probably worth getting a white wine with them once a month or so.
- Sander from Scandinavian Spaces - The sleek and roomy Sander portrays a subtle nod to the beloved 1950s era of Scandinavian design while staying classically modern. The details are beyond beautiful. With a curved veneer back and gentle contour, the solid wood chair effortlessly balances its distinct, sophisticated look with all-day comfort.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - DARRAN Furniture Accepted as a Member of "Be Original Americas" / Spec Furniture Launches New CEU "Accessibility Considerations: Purposeful Design for All" to Promote Inclusive Interior Design / The Mitchell Group Introduces Two New Offerings from its Mitchell Collection / Clear Design Achieves Indoor Air Quality Certification across its FAST Program Product Lines / FilzFelt Launches Nest Baffle, a Series of Contoured and Linear Acoustic Panels / KI Names 12 Finalists in Third Annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway for K-12 Educators / Tangram Interiors Appoints Nick Meter as President / Herman Miller's OE1 Sit-to-Stand Table designed by Industrial Facility receives Archiproducts Design Award / New Director of Sales Indicates Expansion Across North America for Camira Group / HBF Textiles Wins Two Awards in it's Debut at BDNY 2024 / Heller Celebrates Modern Design with New Launches at BDNY 2024 / Ethnicraft Showcased 2024 Novelties at BDNY
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Keilhauer Elevates Healthcare Lounge Seating with Neesh - The celebrated Neesh lounge chair, now adapted for healthcare use, offers all the attributes essential for supportive and accessible seating.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Fridae Lounge Collection by Keilhauer Brings a Refined Approach to the New Workplace Casual - A blend of sleek lines and easygoing elegance, the latest collection is inspired by the evolving workplace trends.
- Watson Furniture Invites You to Work Outside the Lines with Latest Collection, Allé - The Allé collection feels at home in any setting, seamlessly supporting everything from focused solo work to team collaboration.
- UPFRONT: Nova from Humanscale - Lighting Up Workspaces - Versatility meets excellence with Humanscale's Nova, a LED task light that is available in a range of colors and mounting options.
- Teknion and Koncept Lighting Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Comprehensive Lighting Solutions for Modern Workspaces - This partnership between Teknion Corporation and Koncept Lighting represents a significant step forward in advancing the future of workplace design, underscoring their shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and user-centricity.
- Trauma Informed Design - Trauma Informed Design considerations may deter dysregulation; however, it will be impossible to completely prevent all individuals from becoming dysregulated in all situations – through no fault of the individual or the design.
- Artaic Teams Up With Wildlife Artist and Conservationist Guy Harvey on a Mosaic Design Collection - A portion of sales from the collection benefits ocean conservation through the Guy Harvey Foundation.
- New In Classifieds - BYRNE: Business Development Executive - West Territory | Byrne is seeking a Business Development Executive to join our Sales Team in the West Territory. We are a fast-paced and fun environment, with a collaborative mindset. This individual will plan, direct, and coordinate sales strategy to new diverse markets. Read more on page 104.
- PLACES - Bank Negara Indonesia Offices – Singapore | The design team has designed the back of the house to accommodate the diverse needs of various departments – featuring a mix of private offices, open-concept workspaces that facilitate open communication and collaboration among the employees and various-sized meeting rooms tailored to different group needs, incorporating acoustic features to ensure content privacy.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Nemo Tile + Stone Leases Slab Gallery in New Jersey / HLW Achieves Renewal of Just 2.0 Label / Winners Announced for the 2024 NanaAwards Project and Design Competition / A Night of Craftsmanship and Luxury: Bakes & Kropp and SubZero's Craft Ale & Caviar Event / Botany Birmingham Brings Lush Interior Plantscaping to Birmingham and Metro Detroit / JLL and IE University Launch Award Program to Grow Top Design Talent Globally / emuamericas Unveils Café Collection of Seating Solutions / Armadillo Releases Its Second Impact Report
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 8, 2024
- ASK STEPHEN - "Why Remote Working Will Disappear in 2025" - Stephen Viscusi - You know how I feel. Since the pandemic has ended, I've said it a million times, people selling office furniture need to work from an office! Otherwise, what's the point.
- Forward Space Celebrates 10 Years of "Growing Together" - Forward Space celebrates its 10th anniversary, highlighting its growth and partnerships since its founding in 2014 through the merger of two Steelcase dealerships. Under CEO Jenny Niemann, the company has expanded into Milwaukee and received numerous awards for its workplace culture and design excellence.
- Fräsch Makes Addition to Popular STRATAWOOD Collection with HEX - The original STRATAWOOD and STRATAWOOD 2x2 have both been major successes in the commercial market.
- Room & Board Showcases the Graft Collection at BDNY in a New Expansion of the Urban Wood Project - The Urban Wood Project first began in Baltimore with an initiative between Room & Board and the USDA Forest Service, working with local and national partners around the country to source wood that is destined for landfills, reclaiming it into unique, modern furnishings.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - AIS Introduces New Pillows Program / HON Hosts Career Day To Connect Emerging Designers With Industry Experts / We Are Makers – Haworth Returns to Orgatec / Create School Spirit with Chromatyx Printed Porcelain / LightArt's D1 Coil Pendants Weave Together the Past and Future at Tech Giant's Storied Manhattan Office / Tarkett Wins 6 MarCom Awards / Integra Seating Achieves BIFMA LEVEL®1 Certification for 35-Plus Products / Statement from the U.S. Green Building Council on the 2024 Election Results
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Indiana Furniture Introduces Synergy Collaborative to Outfit Today's Office Needs - As the workforce changes and offices embrace new hybrid and collaborative work models, the way we work in spaces is evolving.
- Encore Introduces Sunny Kids: The Latest Addition to the Sunny Family - Serving as the ultimate companion for little dreamers and big imaginations, Sunny Kids is a delightful blend of fun and functionality.
- UPFRONT: Monitor Arm - A Desk Accessory to Advance Productivity - Humanscale's extensive collection of monitor arms, which range from single monitor (M2.1) to six monitors (M/Flex for M2.1 M8.1 and M10), allow the product to seamlessly integrate into all desk spaces to meet a variety of configuration needs.
- CWC Expands Savannah Presence with Mason Inc. Acquisition - CWC, a trusted leader in office solutions in Atlanta since 1929, is expanding its presence in the region by acquiring Mason Inc., a respected family-owned office solutions provider that has dedicatedly served the area since 1892.
- With The Orbit's Orbit, the Salone del Mobile.Milano is Reinterpreting its Narration of Made in Italy Design in Shanghai - There was a great turnout and appreciation for the new format devised by the Salone del Mobile for the Chinese market, which combined the best of Italian design with a modern, agile and engaging proposal – proof of the relevance of Italian furniture in this geographical area and the Salone's ability to bring different markets, cultures and design visions into dialogue.
- CIFF Shanghai 2024: Where Design Took Center Stage - The 54th CIFF Shanghai 2024, which concluded successfully last September, served as a dedicated venue for advancing design in China's high-end furniture and interior design market.
- New In Classifieds - BYRNE: Business Development Executive - West Territory | Byrne is seeking a Business Development Executive to join our Sales Team in the West Territory. We are a fast-paced and fun environment, with a collaborative mindset. This individual will plan, direct, and coordinate sales strategy to new diverse markets. Read more on page 78.
- PLACES - Jindal Group Offices – New Delhi | The office is arranged around a large central courtyard featuring grand sculptures by Subodh Gupta. Various vantage points into this courtyard are available throughout the office space.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Landscape Forms' Operations Engineering Manager, Charles Washburn, Honored with Michigan Manufacturing Association's 2024 Emerging Leader Award / Inclusive Design / Ware Malcomb Announces Hire Of Kacy Rhoades, Promotions Of Jesse Carano And Manny Nuno In Denver / DIRTT Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 1, 2024
- Dennis + Ives Announces Workscapes Grand Opening - Workscapes, a full-service interior solutions company, celebrated its Grand Opening in the newly developed Dennis + Ives mixed use development in the Jacksonville Railyard District.
- ASK STEPHEN - "Think Your Employee Can't Find a New Job? Think Again!" - Stephen Viscusi - Manufacturer and dealer leadership and owners alike take for granted when they have employees that have job-hopped or are anywhere over 50 that they will not lose that employee. But, in today's new job competitive job market, they are dead wrong.
- Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering Debuts New Wallcovering Collaboration With Renowned Artist, Illustrator, and Style Icon Rebecca Moses - The collection, Rebecca Moses x Momentum, will debut at BDNY 2024, November 10-11 in New York.
- Kirei Launches Matrix Grid, Ace Baffle, and Ramp Tile - A Part of the Tuned Collection From Carnegie Acoustic Solutions, These Products Use Innovative Air Gaps to Help Designers Tune Sound in Every Space
- Herman Miller Lowers Carbon Footprint within the Brand's Performance Seating Portfolio through Updates to Mirra 2 Chair and Stool - Enhancements to Mirra 2 designed by Studio 7.5 reflect Herman Miller's ongoing commitment to advancing sustainability and ergonomics.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Bryan Ashley Appoints Lisa Mehringer as New President / WFH Wellness - Ergonomic Essentials for A Flawless Workday / Fellowes Contract Interiors Partners with Unika Vaev to Provide Unique Modular Wall Solutions / Yellow Goat Design Unveils New Lighting Collection Inspired by Musical Composition / IIDA NY Presents Fourth Annual Hazel Siegel Scholarship / Young Furniture Makers Exhibition 2024 / AMQ Announces Winners of the 2024 AMQ Dealer Design Challenge / Gunlocke Expands Briefing Table Collection / ORGATEC India 2025: Revolutionizing the Future of Workplaces / Adrian Gaut Introduces a Line of Exclusive Prints for DWR
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: AMQ Unveils New Enhancements for its Popular Tektis Panel System - Known for its adaptability and ease of installation, Tektis remains a go-to choice for businesses seeking both design and functionality in their workspace setups.
- Pepper, from Designtex, is Designed with Circularity in Mind - Newest Loop-to-Loop construction from Designtex is specially designed for use in their Digital Studio tool.
- Knoll Debuts the Perron Pillo Sofa by Willo Perron - With deep seats designed to be sat in, not on, this comforting refuge beckons you to jump in and relax. Like magic, it's a viscerally all-encompassing experience that makes you forget the piece and just enjoy being in it.
- COR Ranked #48 in Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts - The Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts list is ranked through an algorithm that factors in revenue, as well as workplace diversity, innovation and customer benefits.
- UPFRONT: Allsteel's Tell Me More Podcast Explores New Perspectives on The Intentional Office - The episode also explores the significance of mentorship and social interactions, and how these fundamentals ensure that early-career professionals are set up for long-term success.
- Spacestor to Unveil Expanded New York Design Centre in 2025 - A Spacestor Location Designed by Gensler and Partnering with The Splash Lab
- Black Flag is the latest Flos Collaboration with German Designer Konstantin Grcic - The advanced technology of Black Flag goes hand in hand with its sustainability profiles.
- Introducing Currents, an Exploration of The Sea - Innovations' fall collection delves into textures, fluid movement of the ocean.
- Teknion and Pearson Lloyd Present Aarea, a Family of Chairs that Blends Tailoring with Engineering - In the open-plan environment, lounge furniture is now expected to support performance work as well.
- New In Classifieds - Wyatt Seating: Territory Sales Manager | Become part of a forward-thinking team at a company that's quickly becoming an industry game-changer. Wyatt seeks a Territory Sales Manager to promote and sell our seating products in their assigned territories. Responsibilities: Educate dealers on our products and services, providing hands-on demos that showcase what Wyatt chairs are all about. Read more on page 110.
- PLACES - RASA Venture Offices – Bangkok | The gallery not only serves as a space for clients to explore the potential of smartly utilizing rental areas but also functions as a co-working environment for RASA's sales team, fostering energy and productivity.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Thinkspace Expands its Reach Adding Three New Reps Covering Seven US states - Adds Luther & Associates, Contract Office Marketing & Stella Group / Preside: Where Style Sparks Connection / Corgan Expands London Practice, Hires Interiors Studio Leader / HNI Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results / Interface Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 25, 2024
- ORGATEC 2024 Surpasses Expectations: Business Festival Presents the Future of Work - New trade fair concept impresses: considerable increase in visitors compared to the previous event.
- Stephen Says - "Another Screaming Dealer" - by Stephen Viscusi - I've heard of tantrums where the language becomes vile -- curses and beyond. This is of course inappropriate for professional relationships or workplaces in general.
- Unika Vaev Introduces its Latest Acoustic Product Collection in Collaboration with Eliza Redmann - Eliza Redmann is a sculptural artist and architect based in Durham, North Carolina whose work is informed by her experience with traumatic brain injury.
- Designtex Introduces Wool Library, a Foundational Collection In a Kaleidoscope of Colors That's As Soft as a Sweater - Three of the four styles contain 70% postconsumer recycled material from the Italian fashion industry.
- Entering a New Era: eSolutions Furniture Unveils Rebranding of Bush Business Furniture and Bush Home - Bestar and Bush Industries have joined forces to form the eSolutions Furniture family of brands, a unified group dedicated to excellence in e-commerce.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Insidesource's San Francisco Showroom Achieves Green Certification, a First for a Furniture Dealer in California / Atmosphere Commercial Interiors: 2024 "Best Places to Work" / Solomon Coyle 2024-Q3 Market Outlook Report Now Available - Distributors Show Cautious Optimism for Q4 and start of 2025 / Integra Seating Taps David Hutton as Vice President of Sales / Haworth & MiEN Announce Partnership / NEWH, Inc. to Celebrate Official 40th Anniversary at BDNY 2024 / IIDA NY Celebrates 2nd Annual Student Uplift Program / J+J Flooring Launches Synergy, Expands Kinetex Line of Textile Composite Flooring / Configura Highlights Community-Driven Innovation at CET Experience / NeoCon's Call For 2025 Programming Opens October 30 / Artaic Expands 1/2" Vitreous Glass Tile Offerings with New Colorways and Designs / Brian Uher Joins Hord Coplan Macht as Director of Sustainability / New England Woodworker Awarded Mineck Furniture Design Prize / Franck Genser Joins Studio Twenty Seven's Distinguished Roster of Designers / KI Uplifts Student, Teacher Voices at EDspaces / AMQ Unveils New Enhancements for its Popular Tektis Panel System / Whitney Brothers Introduces elevatED Collection of Early Learning Furniture / Teknion Introduces Telescope, An Aesthetic and Functional Framework
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: HON Introduces The Altern Task Chair: Affordable Comfort and Customization for Every Workspace - Designed with adaptability and various style options, Altern is perfect for anyone seeking high-performance seating without the premium price tag. Its flexible features allow it to seamlessly integrate into any setting, from private offices to collaborative environments or remote workspaces.
- Studio TK Introduces Jotta, a Sophisticated Alternative to Office Seating - The versatile design of Jotta makes it a practical choice for various work positions, ensuring comfort and providing support.
- Clear Design Introduces the DELTA Panel System - Sleek, sophisticated, and thoughtfully designed, DELTA effortlessly balances privacy with collaboration.
- BDNY Unveils New Programming, Curated Spaces, and Design Tours - Compelling Content and Innovative Design Fuel Creativity for the Hospitality Industry
- UPFRONT: Humanscale's Limited-Edition Freedom Chair is Officially Available for Purchase - The Freedom Chair is known for being innovative and iconic - retaining its place for 25 years as the most ergonomic task chair on the market.
- Design Miami.Paris Concludes SuccessfulSecond Edition at L'hôtel de Maisons - Notable attendees from across design, fashion, entertainment, and beyond, included Natalie Portman, Owen Wilson, and Norman Foster.
- Singapore Design Week 2024 Drew Over 190,000 Visitors to Discover the Transformative Power of Design in the Everyday - Annual design festival demonstrated the impact of good design and inspired collaboration across diverse communities, paving the way for next year's theme "Nation by Design".
- Dyer Brown Completes HQ for Global Procurement Leader, Designing for Flexibility, Growth and Hybrid Work - State-of-the-art workplace for top government supplier NOBLE supports short- and long-term goals for expansion with an eye for competitive recruitment and retention of top talent.
- Innovative Office Acoustic Solutions By Altispace - The Acoustic Shapes from Altispace offer a playful yet sophisticated solution to sound reduction in office environments.
- New In Classifieds - Wyatt Seating: Territory Sales Manager | Become part of a forward-thinking team at a company that's quickly becoming an industry game-changer. Wyatt seeks a Territory Sales Manager to promote and sell our seating products in their assigned territories. Responsibilities: Educate dealers on our products and services, providing hands-on demos that showcase what Wyatt chairs are all about. Read more on page 164.
- PLACES - TymeX Offices – Ho Chi Minh City | Contemporary work rooms intermingled with collaborative spaces make it easier for people to engage, collaborate, and share their work.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Arcadia and Encore Appoints CK Collection as Independent Sales Representatives for Connecticut / BioFit Names New Production Manager / Allsteel Releases Fall 2024 Issue Of More Magazine: A Curated Guide To Navigating The Modern Workplace / Design Miami.Paris Concludes Successful Second Edition at L'hôtel de Maisons / Mohawk Industries Reports Q3 Results / A-Light Introduces Mira Architectural Luminaire / RIVA Spain and AIA Miami Announce Claudio Salazar Winner of the RIVA Prize for Excellence in Sustainable Design | Announced at the AIA Miami Design Awards Gala, Project by RooTSDNA Wins the First-Ever RIVA Prize / Leading Commercial Office Design & Fit-Out Company Wagstaff Interiors Return to CBRE Event as Sole Furniture Sponsor / Välinge Innovation Strengthens Global Support for US and International Flooring Importers
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 18, 2024
- SilentLab Introduces Revolutionary GEN4 Acoustic Pods - GEN4 offers more than just exceptional sound insulation. It combines cutting-edge design, pro-cognitive lighting, and intuitive controls, allowing users to tailor their workspace precisely to their needs.
- Stephen Says - "Did You Hire an Account Hog? " - by Stephen Viscusi - As a recruiter, I see every day how many quality salespeople a company fails to attract because certain accounts are off limits to somebody new coming on board. This is a big mistake.
- Landscape Forms Introduces Booth Line of Social Seating - Booth's rounded corners and softened edges create a comfortable character, while a subtle flare to the form of the seat and metal support structure offers a friendly, inviting gesture.
- CWC Expands Southeast Presence with Historic Mason Inc. Acquisition - "This acquisition not only expands our reach but also allows us to offer an even wider array of cutting-edge workplace solutions to businesses throughout the Southeast."
- LightArt Launches Acoustic Sequence: A Seamless Union of Noise Absorption, Light, and Design - Acoustic Sequence's modular design and adaptability make it a universal solution ideal for a variety of environments.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Fellowes Brands Select 3D Cloud for 3D Product Visualization and Configuration / AMQ Appoints Tatiana Duarte as New Territory Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Retion / BioFit Appoints New Quality Manager / Shaw Contract Launches TractionSAFETY Resilient Sheet Collection / ALTA Luxury Opens World of Luxury Fabrics for Commercial and High-Traffic Use / Concertex Introduces Five New Silicone Hybrids / Landscape Forms Chief Strategy Officer Michael Blum Joins Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo Board of Directors / Ware Malcomb Names Nick Watkins Director of Workplace Strategy / Calyx by Claridge: Pediatric Patient Boards / GATHER Acoustical is Expanding / Ethnicraft: New and Unique Solutions for Every Environment - The Sono Collection / Allsteel Announces Opening of Design Lab in Washington, D.C. / Keilhauer President Meghan Sherwin Recognized with Canada's Clean50 and Clean16 Awards / Berco Designs Introduces Rogue / 2024 BIFMA Learning Series End-of-Year Schedule / Brentano Returns to BDNY: Bigger, Bolder and Better Than Ever / Andreu World To Expand at THE MART / ORGATEC 2024: Exploring the Future of Work with a New Concept / The Lilly Ottoman: A Blend of Comfort and Style / Acoufelt Launches Natural Wool and Value Collections, Plus New Products and Colors
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Allsteel Unveils Rise Expansion: Versatile Modular Seating That Maximizes Space and Comfort - The expansion builds on the Rise collection by introducing several new products that elevate workplace versatility, enhance comfort and provide unified functionality.
- Anthros is Committed to Humans in Every Way - An Unwavering Dedication that Drives Every Idea and Action - "Our beloved At The Lake event has always been at the very heart of our giving back to the community we once served."
- FCA and Svigals + Partners Unite as a Purpose-Driven, Design Powerhouse - "Our team is excited to join the FCA family," said Jay Brotman, Managing Partner at Svigals + Partners.
- NARBUTAS Presents its New Products at Orgatec: What Office Trends do they Reflect? - The sharp increase in the need for communication and collaboration is becoming one of the key factors shaping the work environment.
- UPFRONT: HON's Upcoming EDchats Podcast Episode: Power of Colors, Materials and Finishes in Education - The episode covers the latest trends in colors and materials for educational spaces that inspire creativity, focus and comfort.
- Landscape Forms Introduces the Contour Line of ADA Compliant Tables - A first in the outdoor site furnishing space, Contour is a system of mutually compatible components that can be combined to create different ADA compliant tables that address a range of site needs and can appear all throughout a given setting.
- Humanscale Presents 'Connected' at Orgatec 2024, the Leading Trade Fair for the Modern Working World - Bob King will take the stage at Orgatec as part of the official speakers' program, where he will showcase how Niels Diffrient's Freedom chair has quietly evolved into the "chair of power" and the preferred choice of the global elite.
- Studio TK, In Partnership with Artifort, Release the Braso Lounge Chair - Angled Arms Follow the Human Form, Making it Easy to Relax or Socialize
- CIFF Shanghai 2024: Great design takes the stage in China's most international city. - The 54th CIFF Shanghai has just ended, having amazed all visitors with the incredible level of quality achieved by the companies that chose this rooftop to exhibit their products.
- New In Classifieds - Wyatt Seating: Territory Sales Manager | Become part of a forward-thinking team at a company that's quickly becoming an industry game-changer. Wyatt seeks a Territory Sales Manager to promote and sell our seating products in their assigned territories. Responsibilities: Educate dealers on our products and services, providing hands-on demos that showcase what Wyatt chairs are all about. Read more on page 134.
- PLACES - Spendflo Offices – Chennai | Complementing the open-plan design are a series of phone booths, providing quiet, private spaces for calls or focused work.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Designtex Is a Now a PFAS-Free Company / Landscape Forms Sustainability Leader Amy Syverson‑Shaffer Joins Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) Board of Directors / Kenmark Interiors Acquires Long-Term Partner Lancaster & Associates / Humanscale's Freedom Chair Celebrates 25th Anniversary and Joins the Ocean Collection / Tekloom Wins the Nightingale's Innovation Award in Textiles / RIVA Spain Named 'Flooring Contractor of the Year' by the Latin Builders Association / Hunter Huebsch Joins Heller as Chief Digital Officer / HON's Accelerate Series Offers Innovative Workspace Solutions for Productivity and Collaboration / Introducing the Ollie Table Collection / New Fall Furnishings from Carl Hansen & Son / Allseating Announces Partnerships With MIRA Contract and Webb Contract Associates / Catherine Del Vecchio Joins AHF as VP of Marketing / Havwoods: New Business Development Manager / Interface is Reuters Sustainability Award Winner / Enjoy a Stroll Through the Garden with Skylark
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 4 & 11, 2024
- Landscape Forms Introduces Scenic: A Next-Generation Adaptable Outdoor Structure - Modular, scalable and with a wide range of configurable options, Scenic simplifies the creation of tailored settings that enhance everyday life outdoors.
- Stephen Says - "MillerKnoll: It's Working. It's Really Working." - by Stephen Viscusi - You have to admit: when the dealers stop complaining, you know something is working!
- HON: Driving A New Workplace Design at Enterprise Mobility - "Our goal was to create a unified environment throughout the building," said Rob Coakley, Property Development Manager at Enterprise Mobility."
- Hightower Releases HEB Tables to North American Market - "HEB tables seamlessly integrate with existing Hightower offerings," said Natalie Hartkopf, Hightower CEO/co-owner.
- Byrne: We Make Art! - Innovative West Michigan manufacturer celebrates the spirit of creativity with bi-annual employee art event.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Landscape Forms Partners with Peopledesign for Enhanced Website and Customer Experience / Armadillo's Agra is Certified for Contract Use / Announcing the Winners of the Fifth Edition Fantini Design Awards / AIS Introduces Beautiful New Choices to its Curated Finishes Program / Kentwood Office Furniture Unveils New Chicago-Area Commercial Interiors Showroom / KI Partners with EDmarket to Support the Bold Women Collective / Across the Globe, Only 35% of Workers Describe Their Workplace Air as Very Clean, According to Fellowes' 2024 Annual International Day of Clean Air Survey / BodyBilt Expands SKYDEX Seating Technology to Entire Catalog of Ergonomic Chairs / Bright Spaces and iO Partners Join Forces to Transform Workplace Consultancy Through 3D Technology / KI Introduces Zeker Modular Seating: Where Contoured Comfort Meets Unmatched Flexibility / HNI Corporation Appoints New Chief Financial Officer / Cambria Unveils State-of-the-Art Sales & Distribution Center and Showroom in Toronto / Camira Launches Monochrome Sett: A Sustainable Collection of Timeless Mini Patterns Inspired by the Runway / BIFMA: Future-Proofing Your Business – Insights on Designing for a Life-Regenerative Future
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: The Float Family Expands, Offering Even More Workspace Flexibility - Humanscale has introduced two new members of the Float family - the collaborative Float Gather and the compact Float Mini, which offer versatile sit-to-stand solutions tailored to diverse work environments.
- KFI Studios Introduces Calm Screens - The PET felt comes in three classic neutral colors – Charcoal, Grey, and Stone.
- Framery Will Make the World's First Fossil-free Steel Workplace Products - Using fossil-free steel is the Framery's next big step towards building the world's most sustainable office pods.
- Kusch+Co launches "Designs Beyond Time: 85-years of Kusch+Co" Exhibition - Kusch & Co presents a unique presentation of design across the decades from the 1940's – 2020's from the portfolio of this esteemed design manufacturer, opening in London this Autumn before continuing its European tour.
- UPFRONT: Allsteel's Tell Me More Podcast Explores Ergonomics In-Depth with Three-Part Miniseries - Allsteel continues the second season of Tell Me More, an immersive workplace design podcast, with a three-part miniseries on ergonomics hosted by Dr. Lauren Gant, Senior Workplace Advisory Manager at Allsteel.
- Carnegie Launches Heat And Glare Protected Window Fabrics In Collaboration With Création Baumann - Création Baumann window fabrics are thoughtfully designed to be equally responsive to beauty, function, and durability considerations.
- JT Magen and Gensler Complete 180,000-SF Build-out for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Across Four Floors at 3 World Trade Center - At Gensler, the value of our work stems from its positive impacton the human experience.
- Flos Drives North American Focus With New Facility In Brooklyn - Italian lighting brand expands its vision for US capabilities with a new, state-of-the-art location for bespoke production and import operations.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is looking for Sales Representatives in the Phoenix and Albuquerque areas to Join our Growing Team! MOD, a leader in power, USB charging and lighting solutions for furniture in the workplace, hospitality and educational furniture industries is seeking energetic and motivated individuals or groups to join our team. Read more on page 118.
- PLACES - Pernod Ricard Offices – Ho Chi Minh City | Pernod Richard's new office promotes creativity, collaboration and productivity while supporting wellbeing and work-life-balance. Leaving behind traditional desk-bound offices, the space supports flexible working.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - //3877 Welcomes Seasoned Talent to Expanding A&D Team / Hord Coplan Macht Opens Two New Offices / RIVA Spain Expands Its Footprint in Massachusetts With Four New Showrooms | The New "RIVA Corners" Come Equipped With a Wide Array of Product Offerings / Woven or Coated? See it to believe it. / Introducing Poinciana: Yellow Goat Design's New Floral-Inspired Lighting Fixture / EDmarket Launches edgallery to Showcase Innovation / Simi Design Presents Affordable Luxury with New Italian Man-Made Marble Tables and Flat Disc Bases / The Landskab Collection by Cecilie Manz / Michael Graves Architecture Expands National Presence with New Studio in Charlotte, N.C. / The 2024 Keilhauer Sustainable Design Education Fund is Now Open for Submissions
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 27, 2024
- Designed for a New World: Herman Miller Gaming Collaborates with FAILE and Deluxx Fluxx - First-time partnership between the global design leader and the multidisciplinary art duo delivers vibrant artwork and unique sculptural objects.
- Stephen Says - "If Your Dog Dies, You Want to Be Working for This Furniture Company" - by Stephen Viscusi - Believe it or not, pet bereavement policies are now an established norm of most companies in and outside of the industry. Progressive company owners and human resources leaders who influence a company's policy all understand that pets today are very much a part of our family.
- Hightower Unveils Stanza Collection of Functional Planters - Elevate your interiors and exteriors with a blend of artistic expression and practical design. Stanza isn't just a planter — it's an experience that transforms spaces.
- NARBUTAS, Exhibiting at Orgatec for the Tenth Time, Will Present its Largest Stand Yet - NARBUTAS is making special preparations for its tenth, anniversary, participation in Orgatec.
- Landscape Forms Introduces Moment Lighting: A Fusion of Minimalist Simplicity and Outstanding Performance - Moment combines disciplined design with functional versatility. Its modern and minimalist aesthetic, characterized by elemental geometries, smooth lines, and hidden structural components, ensures seamless integration into any installation environment.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Henning Karlsrud Appointed New CEO of Flokk / Matt Ruder Joins Office Revolution as Owner and Principal / Consolidation: American Interiors Acquires MarxModa; Becomes Sole MillerKnoll Dealer in Southeast Michigan / Arper's New Sustainability Report: Major Milestones & Bold Progress / ASID Hosts Day of Advocacy On Capitol Hill / AIS Expanding and Revitalizing its New York City Showroom / Allsteel's "Tell Me More" Podcast Releases a New Episode Exploring Circularity & Responsible Decommissioning with Green Standards / Tell Me More Podcast's Latest Episode Explores Sustainability in the Furniture Industry with Normann Copenhagen / Concertex's Aerial Collection Celebrates Artistry in the Ordinary / IIDA NY Unveils Biophilic Theme for 22nd Annual Color Invasion / Kentwood Office Furniture Enhances Business Development in Chicago and Grand Rapids / The Mitchell Group Expands Product Catalog with Two New Offerings / Landscape Forms Introduces EPD Program, a Major Milestone in Enhancing Industry Transparency and Sustainability / Boston Business Journal Names AIS Among the Top Charitable Companies in Massachusetts / Maharam in London, Los Angeles, and New York / Steelcase 2024 Impact Report Spotlights New Net-Zero Commitment, Building Community and Belonging / Spacestor's Insights Live Episode 50 Leads Today's Workplace Discussion / 3form Doubles the Impact of Award-Winning 100% Recycled Textures Line / Calyx: Creative. Collaborative. Collegiate.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Introducing Hedge: A New Era of Sustainable, Flexible Office Solutions - Loftwall hasl launched Hedge, a first-of-its-kind space divider that combines sustainability with versatility. After three years of development, Hedge marks the first use of Acoustic PET (derived from recycled post-consumer plastics) as the core structural element in a piece of commercial office furniture - proving that eco-friendly materials can provide the structural integrity needed for dynamic, modern workspaces.
- Studio TK, In Partnership with Artifort, Introduces the Shark Work Chair - Shark fits perfectly in a variety of office and hospitality settings, supporting everywhere the modern worker may find themself.
- Explore The Intersection of Nature and Textile Design with Christiane Müller's 'Moments Of Wander' - The Designer's Fourth Collection With the Brand Transforms Outdoor Inspirations Into Luxurious Interiors
- Luum Textiles Launches Kinetic Energy Collection, Drawing Inspiration From the Dynamic Motion of the Digital and Physical Realms - Developed over three years of application testing, Lithoprint is Luum's first domestically-produced coated textile, made with cleaner chemistry and more sustainable manufacturing methods.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale's Sedeo Stool - Ergonomics for Everyday - Chadwick brought his years of experience in industrial design (other legendary pieces include the Aeron chair and Chadwick Modular Seating) to perfecting the design of Sedeo.
- New Collaborative Design Showroom in NYC Features Synergistic Designs - Hightower and Heartwork have come together to spearhead a space that now includes six leading manufacturers in the A+D market.
- Herman Miller Introduces Bay Work Pod to Create Inclusive Spaces for Focused Work and Video Conferencing in Office Settings - Bay Work Pod is the brand's latest workplace solution designed to enable concentration and comfort.
- Artaic Expands "Designs on Demand" with Three New Designs and Colorways - Artaic will continue to introduce additional Designs on Demand patterns and Custom on Demand colorways throughout 2024.
- New In Classifieds - National Sales Manager - Bowling Green, OH | BioFit Engineered Products is seeking an experienced Sales Manager to oversee and lead the activities of the sales department by performing the duties outlined below. This individual will participate in corporate planning, budget setting, and strategic direction including product & services, markets and channels. Read more on page 154.
- PLACES - Intugo Offices – Hermosillo | The concept for this project emerged from a desire to create an environment where users could escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world and immerse themselves in a pleasant and productive work setting.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Thinkspace Enhances Customer Experience with Launch of new E-Tools / Ware Malcomb Names Marit Jensen Studio Manager, Interior Architecture & Design in Seattle Office / Arcadis Strengthens Florida Leadership with New Principal Appointment / Configura Expands its Commercial Interiors Product Line in Q3 2024 / KI Joins CADRE as Founding Sponsor for Ed Design Research / Kimball International's Chicago Showroom Earns WELL Certified Platinum Distinction / Ben Cantu Returns to Luxxbox / ASID Releases the 2024 Economic Outlook Report / Foscarini Introduces BUDS' in Cipria: A New Colorway for a Timeless Collection / markilux Unveils the Pergola Style | A Graceful Fusion of Form and Function for Outdoor Spaces / Mayer Fabrics Welcomes Audrey Binford to the Chicago & Eastern Wisconsin Territories / Innovant Welcomes Allie Lindsey / Three H Promotes Design Director to VP Post / Perkins&Will Welcomes New Director of Operations to Austin Studio / Springboard Working Surfaces is now Fellowes / Spark Studio Lighting Design Announces Brand Relaunch / Unika Vaev Promotes Deb Warren to Regional Sales Manager / Yellow Goat Design Introduces Sheridan Markham, New Design Associate / Tekloom Will Exhibit at Healthcare Design Conference + Expo / Studio Alliance's New Principal + Innovation Director / Tarkett North America Appoints Winn Everhart to President and CEO / Emerald Promotes Keisha Byrd to VP and Brand Director for the Hospitality Design Group
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 13 & September 20, 2024
- Stephen Says - "Turn On Your Green Light!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I like the job, I don't want to leave, but it's clear I'm not going to get a raise, and I hate to admit it, but I'm going to resent the new employee who's subordinate to me that I now have to manage. And my resentment goes double for my boss. Any advice?
- BOB Biz Means Business from Scandinavian Spaces - Scandinavian Spaces has spearheaded the ancillary furniture charge. For almost a decade, the company has provided the US market with imagination, creativity, and forward-thinking workplace solutions.
- MillerKnoll Announces New Global Hubs in New York and London - Bringing together the best brands in modern design.
- Discover Symphony: Momentum's Latest Wallcovering Collection Inspired by the Arts - Premiering with Simply Sheer and Sliding Light, the New Symphony Collection is available only through Momentum. Inspired by the mesmerizing and evocative influences of music, art, and dance, this collection is designed to cultivate a deep emotional resonance within any interior space.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Solomon Coyle Launches New Online Sales Leadership Program / AMQ Welcomes Rachael Mauldin as Territory Manager for North Texas and Oklahoma Markets / Allsteel to Host TEDxChicago Coaching Sessions at Chicago Experience Center / Appointment of Sara Abbad – Product Manager – Panel Systems and Metal Storage Furniture / Fellowes' Rising Monitor Arms Win Silver at IDEA Awards, Setting New Standards in Design and Functionality / Caleb Slaughter Joins Office Revolution as Business Development Leader for Kansas City / Simii Design Announces Byrne Daisy Chain Now Available On Wake Flip Nest Tables / Corgan Opens Washington, D.C. Office, Hires Local Leadership / BodyBilt Continues Innovation Trend with New LabPro Stool
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Humanscale Presents New Collection of Ergonomic Furniture for Collaborative Spaces - This new collection is a cohesive suite of furniture solutions that work together to transform ergonomically neglected third spaces into a comfortable, productive environment.
- Landscape Forms Named by Fortune and Great Place to Work as a 2024 Best Workplace in Manufacturing & Production for a Fifth Year in a Row - "Many companies talk about having a team culture, but here it's really palpable."
- Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet, Leather & Fabric Opens New, Larger New York Showroom and Collaborative Design Studio - This opening represents a significant commitment to supporting the contract, hospitality, and corporate design communities with high-quality materials and manufacturing capabilities.
- UPFRONT: HON to Serve as Premier Sponsor for 2024 ISG Industry Week - HON will be showcasing its wide range of dynamic office solutions at booth 300, offering attendees the chance to explore products designed to enhance productivity and efficiency in workspaces.
- The New Movet Chair by Nevins - Movet is the perfect chair with asliding seat and tilting back for meeting and conference spaces.
- Unika Vaev Introduces its Latest Acoustic Product Collection in Collaboration with Instyle - Sustainability within design is key to both product lines and has been since the company's founding.
- Móz Designs Transforms Transit Centers into Design Destinations - Móz Designs teamed up with RS&H to revamp Florida's International transit hub.
- New In Classifieds - Sales Director - Las Vegas, NV, USA | Overview: The sales director is responsible for building high-performing sales teams and achieving sales goals for each market to which they are assigned. Read more on page 88.
- PLACES - LD Seating Showroom – Prague | archicraft designed a modern and visually attractive showroom in Prague for LD Seating, focusing on product lighting and presentation inspired by famous London showrooms, with emphasis on clear arrangement and accessibility.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - FCA Welcomes Chris Parsley as Senior Design Strategist to the NYC Corporate Team / Luxury Swedish Brand Kasthall Introduces Mirrku Kullberg as New CEO / Ware Malcomb Announces Promotion of Melissa Martorano in Phoenix Office / Mohawk Industries Names Mauro Vandini President / Tuuci: Theresa Quintong New Contract Sales Representative for New York / Koncept's Z-Bar Bird Pendant found in Chicago's Midway Airport Concourse C / Hord Coplan Macht Opens Two New Offices
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 6, 2024
- Stephen Says - "Why CEOs Write Short Emails" - by Stephen Viscusi - My own rule of thumb for judging how long I should write an email "response," for someone like me that tends to write long emails, is to base the length of my response on the length of the email I've received.
- Two-Thirds Seating and Tables Collection Addresses Growing Need for Workplace Flexibility - Two-Thirds is a collection of seating and surfaces from Allsteel, designed by Joey Ruiter. The collection's simple shapes are meant to be combined in different ways to create dynamic spaces that are adaptable and flexible.
- Revolutionizing the Workplace: Inside HB Workplaces New HQ Showroom - Founded in 1983, HB Workplaces has been at the forefront of the office furniture and design industry. As MillerKnoll's exclusive Certified Dealer for Herman Miller and Knoll in Utah, Nevada, and Idaho, they use the industry's best products to turn every-day spaces into modern-day workplaces.
- HON Unveils Integrated 3D Product Configuration Powered by 3D Cloud - "The partnership with 3D Cloud redefines the customer journey and represents a pivotal step in our digital transformation."
- NaughtOne Introduces Truffle, a Playful Pouf With a Charming Form - Truffle's clever one-piece upholstery creates a seamless waterfall edge that accentuates Truffle's organic form, reveals curves on curves with the play of light, and creates surprising contrasts along the seams.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Gunlocke Unveils Brand Refresh / Omni Workspace welcomes Phillip Brown Jr. as General Manager of Turnkey Project Services / MillerKnoll Announces New Head of Geiger and DatesWeiser / KI Announces Third Annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway for K-12 Educators / Stylex Demonstrates Continued Growth with the Addition of New U.S. Territory Managers / Blu Dot Welcomes Sam Grawe as Chief Creative Officer / Transform Your Space with Altispace Acoustic Wall Panels in Geometric Shapes / Nienkamper Welcomes Sam Empringham as North American Sales Director / Calyx Chromatyx Printed Porcelain in Healthcare
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: DeskMakers Breathes Life into Workspaces with Hedge Dry Planters - Fresh, maintenance-free collection redefines spaces with versatility and style.
- Interior Design's Hall of Fame Celebrates 40 Years and Announces The 2024 Award Inductees - Established in 1985, this esteemed event celebrates the visionary contributions of influential figures in interior design. These luminaries have left an indelible mark on the industry, and their visionary work continues to inspire and shape the spaces we inhabit.
- The Designtex Digital Studio Pattern Library Continues to Grow! - Digital Studio makes it easy to create custom designs. Pair a substrate with a pattern, tailor scales and colorways and then visualize it before ordering – all in just a few clicks.
- UPFRONT: September Sit/Stand Desking Solutions from Humanscale - The eFloat Go 2.0 was designed with ultra quiet motors, so near silent adjustment is simple.
- FCA Transforms Fox Rothschild's Minneapolis HQ - FCA redesigned Fox Rothschild's Minneapolis headquarters, focusing on efficient space use, natural light, and a connection to Minnesota's landscapes, creating a modern and functional law office environment.
- ORGATEC 2024: Experience the Workspaces of Tomorrow in Person - In addition to #OfficeXperience, the highlights of the new ORGATEC 2024 concept include the Focus Areas #TheCircularHouse, #CircularBiomaterials, #InspiredAugmentedOffice and #Indoor&OutdoorHospitality.
- New In Classifieds - Sales Director - Las Vegas, NV, USA | Overview: The sales director is responsible for building high-performing sales teams and achieving sales goals for each market to which they are assigned. Read more on page 96.
- PLACES - Sartorius Offices – Singapore | The centrepiece of the new office space is a vibrant Front of House with a generous seaview lounge, designed to create an engaged community atmosphere that encourages social interaction.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Equity Council's Introduction to the Action Labs / Versteel Launches CET Commercial Interiors Extension / KI CEO, Brian Krenke, to Speak at St. Norbert College CEO Breakfast Series / Puroptima Appoints Kelley Douglass to Management Team / ECI Software Solutions Acquires Cloud-Based ERP Khameleon Software / Interface Expands Recycling Capabilities in Europe to Advance Circularity Efforts / M.L. Campbell Launches Sayerlack Innovative Wood Finishing Solutions, Bringing a New Choice for Premium Italian Technology to North America / Smith Interior Design Celebrates Six Years of Success / Italian Design: from Classic to Contemporary - Salone del Mobile.Milano lands in New York for the First of Three International Events
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 30, 2024
- Stephen Says - "Summer's Over. Is It Time for a New Job?" - by Stephen Viscusi - After Labor Day is one of the best times to look for a new job, no matter what industry you're in. And, if interest rates change in September as predicted, there will be a big boom in the residential furniture business.
- Tangram Interiors Unveils New Fresno Showroom Celebrating Local Landscape and Culture - The project was brought to life through a collaboration of talented professionals and firms.
- Equitable Environments: Solutions for Neurodivergent Learning Spaces - Learning isn't one size fits all. Recognizing and supporting emotional and cognitive differences is imperative to the growth and success of neurodiverse students.
- Hendrick Sets OneDigital's Latest Chapter in Motion with Atlanta HQ that Reflects Innovative Culture - To create a sense of propulsion — the kind of forward movement "in motion" for which OneDigital is known — Hendrick implemented large, sweeping dynamic curves and shapes to signify how the company moves clients and their businesses forward.
- The Collective Acquires Leading Teknion Dealer Ergoworks - Ergoworks Atlantic is the leading Teknion dealer in Atlantic Canada for over 25 years.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Hightower Names Sandi Ing Vice President of Sales / New from Arper - Organic Designs for Multi-Purpose Use / Kansas City Executive Joins Office Revolution as Market Principal of New Kansas City Location / Herman Miller Introduces Eames Turned Stool in White Oak / IIDA NY Unveils the Ultimate Interior Design Showcase in Western New York / Dramatic Works Translates Spectrum of Light into EF Contract's Latest Kinetex Flooring Collection / The Good Plastic Company Expands Polygood Line with New Translucent Collection / Prevolv Showcases New Partnership with Kimball International via Renovated Showroom
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 9to5 Seating Launches Modular Seating Solution Koble - Innovative soft task seating empowers users to create custom configurations.
- 3form Elements Launches Acoustic Dimension Series - New Dimensional Acoustic Panels Combine Superior Sound Management with Dynamic Geometric Designs
- Carnegie Expands Type II Vinyl-Alternative Wallcoverings Selection - A part of the Conscious Collection, Pave, Inkwell, Noragi Stripe, and Assemblage are 100% free of PVC, finishes, and PFAS, and are easy to clean and maintain in high-traffic environments.
- UPFRONT: Join the Waitlist! Humanscale's Iconic Freedom Chair Turns 25 - Originally designed by Niels Diffrient in 1999, the Freedom Chair has transformed seating comfort and support. Diffrient's vision, combined with Humanscale founder Bob King's pursuit of intuitive design, resulted in the creation of the Freedom Chair - the first self-adjusting chair that eliminated the need for manual adjustments, offering natural movement and support.
- Innerscene is on the Scene with Record Growth and Increased Accessibility - Circadian Sky offers the mesmerizing appearance of infinite clear blue and sunset skies, mimicking the look of a double-pane window with multiple surface reflections while preserving privacy.
- Wherever Whenever: Work Culture Festival at ORGATEC 2024 - Speakers include experts on all the topics relevant to tomorrow's working world.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is looking for Sales Representatives to Join our Growing Team! | MOD, a leader in power, USB charging and lighting solutions for furniture in the workplace, hospitality, education furniture industry is seeking energetic and motivated individuals or groups to join our team. Read more on page 98.
- PLACES - Confidential Client Offices – Kolkata | The Den At Lansdowne manifests Kolkata's old-world charm through the typical Burma teak slats fitted in the window and doors allowing the air and sunlight into the space.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Discover Spool: A New Lighting and Acoustic Experience / IIDA NY Announces Designer Grant to Support Emerging Professionals / Ware Malcomb Names Azin Khorram and Lisa Reed to Strategic Account Director Roles / Nourison Home Mourns Passing of Owen Baker, a 52-Year Industry Veteran / Office Revolution Opens New Office in Kansas City, Expanding Its Footprint to a Thriving Market / Interface Named Global Sustainability Leader by GlobeScan and the ERM Sustainability Institute / Lauren Rottet Wins Multiple Design Awards / Mayer Fabrics Welcomes Jennifer Knowlton to the Colorado, Utah, & Wyoming Territories
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 23, 2024
- Stephen Says - "Has Your MillerKnoll Dealer Become Irrelevant?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Here's what's important: Yes, the MillerKnoll name adds a cache to your dealership, but if the customers appreciate the service, you and your employees are offering them then other brands from open-line manufacturers such as #Global, #AIS or #Friant that "mimic the majors" are plentiful, giving you options to survive and thrive.
- NYCxDESIGN Announces 2025 Festival Dates and Looks Back at Spring - NYCxDESIGN Announces 2025 Festival Plans While Reflecting on International Growth and Inclusivity Across All Design Disciplines
- Transform Workspaces: Boost Productivity and Maximize Space with Organic-Shaped Workstations by Fluidconcepts - Contour offers unmatched customizability and functionality with 224 preconfigured variations.
- ASID Releases Highlights of 2024 Economic Outlook Report - Top Highlights Explore Key Economic Insights for the Design Community
- Knoll Reissues the Tugendhat Chair, Where Architectural Design Meets Contemporary Comfort - The Tugendhat Chair is ideal for today's interiors and speaks to the next generation of design enthusiasts, acting as a striking design piece in casual settings and a relaxed counterpoint to more formal environments.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Artcobell Names Alicia Springer Marketing Communications Manager / Spacesaver Intermountain Expands Specialty Storage Footprint / Allsteel's Tell Me More's Latest Episode on Living in Beta / Multidisciplinary Studio //3877 Expands Team; Hires Two New Interior Designers / Spotted: Calyx in Student Housing / Lighting Environments, Elevated, and Environments Announce Inaugural 'ArchiTech Summit' / Introducing The Ganges Collection by Jamie Stern Carpet: Beautiful, Durable, Sustainable / Landscape Forms Partners with Illuminate Bringing Premier Lighting Solutions to New England / Mold-Free and Minimal: The Innovative Invi Air 1 Slot Square Diffuser
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Fellowes Expands the Popular Sena and Rising Series - Fellowes announced significant extensions to its acclaimed Sena and Rising product lines. These enhancements are set to elevate the workspaces with new levels of functionality and aesthetic appeal.
- Pallas Textiles Turns Ocean Plastic into New Collection - On August 30, contract textile maker Pallas Textiles will launch In Good Company, a new collection made from recycled ocean plastic.
- ORGATEC 2024: Taking the Office of the Future into New Dimensions - In the #InspiredAugmentedOffice Focus Area, ORGATEC is collaborating with zgoll: to overcome the boundaries of reality and present modern workspaces in new dimensions. Visitors will be able to experience a staged future office landscape and virtually immerse themselves in the office of tomorrow with the aid of zintoo: – a newly developed augmented reality app.
- UPFRONT: Refreshed Freedom Task Chair by Humanscale - The Refreshed Freedom Task Chair is brought to life when previously owned chairs are bought back from corporate partners, meticulously disinfected, disassembled, and restored with new components such as casters, textiles, gas cylinders, and arm pads.
- New Report on K-12 Procurement Trends - A new report issued by EDspaces – The Future of K-12 Procurement: 4 Key Trends – captures the experiences and insights of award-winning procurement professionals who are leading the way in building the field of strategic procurement.
- Salone del Mobile.Milano and Bloomingdale's Team Up for Month-Long Showcase of Italian Design - As part of "From Italy, with Love", Salone del Mobile has partnered with Bloomingdale's, the famous New York Department Store, to create the installation "Italian Design: from Classic to Contemporary", a tribute to new and iconic Made in Italy products by 23 selected brands.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is looking for Sales Representatives to Join our Growing Team! | MOD, a leader in power, USB charging and lighting solutions for furniture in the workplace, hospitality, education furniture industry is seeking energetic and motivated individuals or groups to join our team. Read more on page 84.
- PLACES - Linktel Technologies New Campus – Wuhan | Central Avenue reminds people of the landscape and commercial activities along the main streets of the city.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Armadillo Re-Certifies as B Corp—Leading the Way in Environmental Impact / Configura to Host Upcoming CET Experience / Be Original Americas Announces Upcoming Events / Nucraft Introduces New Bases for Ascari Conference / Colebrook Bosson Saunders Unveils Dynamic Flo X Multi Monitor Arm / TPG Architecture Promotes Christina Faley To Retail Studio Director / Grossnicklaus to Lead Corgan's Healthcare Sector
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 16, 2024
- Landscape Forms Introduces Monterey, the Company's Innovative Entry into the Outdoor Soft Seating Category, and the Cora Line of Artfully Organic Lounge-Height Tables - As Landscape Forms' first soft seating offering, much research and development was devoted to ensuring Monterey's fabric seats and backs met the company's high standards for aesthetics, quality and durability.
- Stephen Says - "Why Is Ancillary So Hot Right Now?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Yes – ancillary is the new darling space in the office furniture industry! With all these new departments, divisions, and products in the ancillary space, I would declare, #ancillary is on fire!
- Introducing Omaha Benches - Created for the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha was designed to be contemporary and adaptable, yet comfortable for longer sits to linger and reflect. Designed to inspire. Built to perform. New creations from Martin Brattrud honor a 78-year legacy of design and craft.
- American Society of Interior Designers Names Corgan "Firm of the Year" - Corgan is an employee-owned architecture and design firm with 18 locations and more than 1,000 team members globally. The firm, ranked as the #4 architecture firm by Building Design + Construction, works with clients in a variety of sectors including aviation & mobility, data centers, education, health, mixed-use, multifamily, office, and workplace.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Arcadia And Encore Launch 2024 Lookbooks / Three H Welcomes Marisa Southard as the New Sales Director, USA East / AMQ Promotes Frank Rubin to Regional Sales Manager for East Region / EDmarket Announces 2024 NexGen Rising Stars / AMQ Dealer Design Challenge: Uplifting Interiors / Kimball International's Los Angeles Showroom Earns WELL Certified™ Platinum Distinction / KI Receives 2024 Wisconsin 75 Distinguished Performer Award in Sustainability / Spinneybeck Celebrates the Legacy of Erwin Hauer with Design 406 / Artcobell Adds Round Ottoman and Curved Tables to Soft Seating Lounge Line / Introducing Material Matters by Jeannene Doub for Jamie Stern / ASID Introduces Design Finder, A New Hub Connecting Consumers & Designers
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Indiana Furniture Brings Serenity to Working Environments - Indiana Furniture announced they will begin taking orders on Serenity, a new seating collectionthat made its debut during NeoCon.
- Now Available: Lev by Knoll - Height-Adjustable Table, Designed for Today and the Future | A curated, versatile, sit-to-stand solutioN. Lev by Knoll takes the guesswork out of specifying height-adjustable tables. Available in an assortment of popular finishes and options, Lev by Knoll is thoughtfully designed with a quiet aesthetic that harmonizes with the surrounding space and architecture.
- Shaw Contract Introduces Local Landscapes Carpet Tile Collection - Overall, the collection creates a welcoming feel and connects to nature in the surrounding areas.
- UPFRONT: Allsteel Launches Tell Me More Season Two With Episode Co-Solutioning for Sustainability - The episode explores how Pier Shelving addresses challenges in office workplaces and highlights the significance of mutual growth, education and raising awareness around sustainable materials.
- Humanscale Launches a New Residential Designer Trade Program - Now offering 1:1 support, Humanscale helps designers create ergonomic, stylish, and sustainable home workspaces.
- Hightower Aims for Continued Success with Company Promotions - In these roles, company leaders will guide Hightower in advancing its missions as a B Corp, a certified Women's Business Enterprise,and a responsible manufacturer of transparent, sustainable furniture solutions that meet the needs of a diverse range of users.
- Nemo Tile + Stone Unveils Celine: A New Era in Marble-Effect and Patterned Porcelain Tiles - Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the new collection leverages three revolutionary technologies: 3D Tech, SOFT 3D, and P.TECH. The 3D Tech technology aligns various layers of ceramic materials precisely to enhance visual depth and realism, creating an immersive tactile experience.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is looking for Sales Representatives to Join our Growing Team! | MOD, a leader in power, USB charging and lighting solutions for furniture in the workplace, hospitality, education furniture industry is seeking energetic and motivated individuals or groups to join our team. Read more on page 102.
- PLACES - LinkedIn Offices – Bengaluru | From the vibrant reception inspired by local festivals to serene focus zones bathed in natural light, every space evokes a sense of joy and belonging.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Ethnicraft Expands Its Breakthrough Elements Collection / NEW from Carl Hansen & Son: Pushing the Boundaries of Woodwork / KI Reveals Second Annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway Transformations on YouTube / Rooted in Legacy, Reaching New Ground: DES Brings Collaborative Design Expertise to Austin's Emerging Life Science Market with New Local Office / Chris Curley Joins NELSON Worldwide as National Practice Leader, Hospitality / NELSON Worldwide Enhances Team with Strategic New Hires and Promotions / NanaWall Opens Call For Submissions for the 2024 NanaAwards Project and Design Competition / Expert Wall Covering Designers Explore the Cost Effectiveness of Digital Wall Coverings / HNI Corporation Advances Climate Leadership
- The Future is Modular - new Advisory Paper from Schiavello - Schiavello recently published a new Advisory Paper, which explores the advantages of Modular Rooms over fixed architecture in the modern workplace.
- Design Pool and Graphix Unlimited to Exhibit at Healthcare Design Conference + Expo in Indianapolis - Based in East Hampstead, New Hampshire, Design Pool is the only pattern library created exclusively for interior designers, with a focus on commercial interior markets.
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 9, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: The BIFMA Breakfast at NeoCon: Inside the Government Approach to Workplace Strategy - Jumping into how people use space—whether it's time, frequency, mobility, or work styles—Jim Harper said that an increased adoption of hybrid work has had a significant influence.
- Stephen Says - "Your Current Title Is What's Keeping You From Your Next Job!" - by Stephen Viscusi - The majority of new positions today are all sales and revenue related. That may mean showing how your current experience drives revenue because that is the most value to a new employer.
- Kirei Launches the Breeze Cloud, Cypher Panel, and Contour Tile, a Part of the First Collection From Carnegie Acoustic Solutions - Within the Hyper Sonic Launch, the Three Products Display Eye-Catching Movement and Texture for Walls and Ceilings
- Landscape Forms Introduces the Rockford Litter Performance Receptacle - Central to the design of the Rockford litter was ensuring an easy and intuitive experience both for people who use the product and for people who service the product.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Solomon Coyle's Fall 2024 PM Training Enrollment Now Open / Groupe Lacasse - Nomination of Laura Brown as Healthcare Sales Manager, East US / Carl Hansen & Son releases Børge Mogensen's Table Bench in Paper Cord Weave / Leading Commercial Furniture & Interior Solutions Provider Empire Office Adds to New York Sales Team / Spectorgroup Welcomes Senior Designer to New York City Office / MiEN Appoints Avron Levin as Senior Director of Furniture Innovation / CultureSpace Named Among 2024's "Best Places to Work" by San Antonio Business Journal / Walking The Talk: Forward Space Wins Again! / IIDA NY Chapter Inaugurates President for 2024-2025 Term / JSI Welcomes Doug Shapiro as New Vice President of Sales / J+J Flooring Channels the Elegance and Practicality of Linen with Step by Step LVT / Calyx by Claridge Welcomes Donna Cannon as East Region Sales Manager / KI Partners with K-12 Expert Jolene Levin to Strengthen Educational Expertise / Fräsch Introduces WÜD: Nature-Inspired Hardwood Prints on Acoustical PET Felt
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Steelcase and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Launch Rockford and Galesburg Collections - The collections reintroduce and reinterpret the architect's mid-century Usonian designs with fine modern furniture for home and the workplace.
- Humanscale Launches 'Refreshed' Program: Pioneering a New Era in Circular Design and Sustainability - The B Corp Certified designer and manufacturer takes a bold leap in circular design and sustainable manufacturing to extend the lifespan of products intentionally built for reuse.
- Carnegie Launches New Vinyl-Alternative Coated Upholsteries - Bleach-cleanable, inherently stain-resistant, and antimicrobial, Embellish Print and Botanic Print can be cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants and are engineered to withstand the rigors of high-traffic environments without compromising on aesthetics.
- UPFRONT: Allsteel Introduces New Poly Shell Seating Colors - The new color options have been perfectly color matched to complement Allsteel paint colors, featuring a strong base of neutrals alongside vibrant, on-trend colors, fitting a range of design needs to ensure cohesion across the office.
- Arcadia Debuts Lineup Series: Tailored Solutions for Evolving Collaborative Environments - With its impressive roster of seating, tables and accessories, Lineup provides all the elements to champion any space, whether it's casual meeting rooms, libraries, lounges, waiting areas or hospitality environments.
- NanaWall Reintroduces Generation 4 Folding Glass Walls as a Full Product Family - A culmination of nearly four decades of innovation, NanaWall is excited to announce the completion of its latest product family, Generation 4. The comprehensive product line of operational folding glass walls provides applications for both residential and commercial interiors and exteriors, offering a modern indoor-outdoor solution for any project and any aesthetic.
- DNM Architecture Collaborates with Nonfiction to Bring Clean Energy to West Africa - Sausalito-based DNM Architecture is collaborating with fellow Bay Area creative firm Nonfiction to design and produce Jaza Solar Hubs – field assembled power centers designed to bring clean, renewable energy to Nigerian localities – while empowering local women to run 100% of operations.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is looking for Sales Representatives to Join our Growing Team! | MOD, a leader in power, USB charging and lighting solutions for furniture in the workplace, hospitality, education furniture industry is seeking energetic and motivated individuals or groups to join our team. Read more on page 128.
- PLACES - Design Partnership Offices – Johannesburg | The initial focus was to achieve the right spatial layout in terms of fit and function.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Jim Cook Joins Välinge Innovation / Carl Hansen & Son Presents the BM0057 Sideboard / Formaspace Announces Integration with CET / N9NE Furniture Group Expands with New Warehouse in Baltimore / Reed from Armadillo's Latest New Icons Collection / With a Blend of Elegance and Functionality, Teknion and Pearson Lloyd Introduce a New Standard in Laptop Tables with Cosi / Teak New York Opens Brooklyn Flagship Showroom / DIRTT Unveils Major ICE® Software Update, Transforming User Experience and Project Management / Mayer Fabrics Welcomes finelinesnw to the Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, & Washington Territories / MillerKnoll Appoints Three Dynamic New Members to its Board of Directors / Interface Selected as One of America's Best Midsize Companies of 2024 by TIME / National Design Firm Mancini Duffy Expands to Southwest Region
- Introducing The Infinity Collection by Rachael H. Grochowski for Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet, Leather & Fabric: Seating Inspired by Nature, Intended for Gathering - For more than 40 years, Jamie Stern has been a leading interior design resource for furniture, carpet, leather and fabric, working with the country's leading designers and architects on hospitality, corporate and high-end residential projects.
- One Click LCA and U.S. Green Building Council Announce Partnership - One Click LCA is the world-leading end-to-end sustainability platform for construction and manufacturing.
- DIRTT Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results - Revenue of $41.2 million in the second quarter of 2024, a decrease of 8% from the prior year period.
- Interface Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results - One Interface strategy drives growth and profitability expansion; Company raises full year guidance.
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 26 & August 2, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: Taking on Tuesday at THE MART: What We Experienced During NeoCon Day Two, Part Two - We ended the day at the Turf Lounge to check out their activation on the 1st floor. While we anxiously await the arrival of their new showroom, coming later this summer, we caught up with Senior Manager, Brand and Marketing, Faraz Shah.
- Tranquil Motifs Found in the Mountains of California Inspire J+J Flooring's Idyllwild Collection - With a sharp design contrast between light and dark, memory care patients, for example, may perceive the presence of a hole or some other kind of obstruction.
- Stephen Says - "You Can Accept One Job Offer, and Still Interview for Another!" - by Stephen Viscusi - So should you accept one job offer, yet still entertain other offers? Do what's best for your career, and for your family. Which always means keeping all your options open.
- Breck's Got Your Back - Available in six curated color options, Breck is a style-savvy addition to Haworth's task chair portfolio. Sitting comfortably has never been simpler.
- Furnishing Modern, Interactive Spaces for Higher Learning - A Case Study of Tangram Interiors' design of collaboration spaces in UCSB's New Interactive Learning Pavilion.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - HBF & HBF Textiles Appoints Jonathan Johnson as New National Sales Manager / Steelcase Earns EcoVadis Gold Rating for Fourth Consecutive Year, Leads Industry in Care for People + Planet / Interface Releases 2023 Impact Report, Highlighting Environmental, Social, & Governance Initiatives / KFI Launches Avalon Lounge Chair / Discover New Outdoor Upholstery with 47% Bio-Based Content / Jenna Geigerman Promoted to President/COO of Hightower / NELSON Worldwide Welcomes Ray Ehscheid as National Practice Leader, Retail / 2024-Q2 Market Outlook Report Now Available / LightArt Unveils Their Acoustic Collection Wood Textures
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Herman Miller Introduces Bamboo-based Upholstery to its Iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman - Adding new materials reflects Herman Miller's ongoing commitment to sustainability across the brand's portfolio.
- Kirei Announces Partnership With ArtLifting - ArtLifting advances access to the art market by connecting artists impacted by disabilities and housing insecurity with socially conscious customers to create meaningful spaces and products.
- Photos: The Rise of Neuroaesthetics at NeoCon 2024 - Each year, thousands of innovative new products for commercial interiors are launched at NeoCon.
- UPFRONT: Introducing New Sil-One Novel Textile Card - Silicone hybrid textile collection that delivers in five days with ExpressShip
- HNI Corporation Second Quarter 2024 Results - Strong second quarter EPS fueled by Workplace Furnishings profit transformation, Kimball International accretion, and Residential Building Products actions.
- Mohawk Second Quarter 2024 Results - Net sales for the second quarter of 2024 were $2.8 billion, a decrease of 5.1% as reported and 4.5% on an adjusted basis versus the prior year.
- New In Classifieds - Contract Furniture Outside Rep | Indoff is expanding and needs experienced outside sales professionals in your area. Read more on page 110.
- PLACES - Bank Hapoalim Offices – Holon | The design of Bank Hapoalim's offices and call center in Holon embodies a style that reflects the company's modest yet stable and solid corporate culture.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Humanscale Contributes World Chairs to the Historic Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art / Bjelin Parent Company, Peranovo Invest AB, in Sustainable Research Project / Minarc Elevates Seating Design with DROPi Hanging Chair / TOCCO Collection Wins 2024 Green Good Design Sustainability Award / Puroptima Expands Midwest Presence With Three New Project Delivery Partners / Mayer Fabrics Welcomes Sara Rankin to the Central and North Florida Territories / Nevers Announces the Availabilty of EKTA Collection on CET / Epaminondas "Nonda" Trimis Joins NELSON Worldwide as Account Leader, Industrial / NEW Hospitality Guide from Ethnicraft / HON Announces Nomination of Trent Rains for NAOPA's Young Executive of the Year 2024
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 18, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: Taking on Tuesday at THE MART: What We Experienced During NeoCon Day Two, Part One - On the 10th floor, we were excited to drop by the SurfaceWorks showroom and spend some time with President Rune Akselberg.
- Ultrafabrics Releases Sustainability Report and Relaunches Volar Bio with Double the Sustainable Content - Volar Bio now has a 66% mix of recycled, rapidly renewable, and bio-based content. Volar Bio's evolution in backcloth construction not only includes certified REPREVE recycled polyester and ECOVERO viscose in the backcloth, but introduces Susterra propanediol bio-based resin. Susterra 1,3 propanediol is a pure, petroleum-free, raw material made from regeneratively farmed U.S. dent corn. It is a key ingredient for producing bio-based resins for leather alternatives.
- Stephen Says - "I Got A Verbal Job Offer, When Do I Resign?" - by Stephen Viscusi - It sounds like what you received what is called a "soft offer." Here's what you should look for in addition to that soft offer before you resign from your current job...
- Ultrafabrics Launches Pumice, an Outdoor Performance Fabric Collection Inspired by Oceanic Depths - The Pumice collection reimagines the wonders of the deep sea through a spectrum of colors including riverstone beige, soft yellow, muted coral, seashell pink, dusty seaglass green, and nautical blue.
- Allseating Launches Dart, a Sophisticated and Versatile Conference Chair - Designed to Accommodate a Wide Range of Meeting Spaces, Dart Inspires Collaboration and Connection
- Rikke Frost's Sideways Lounge Chair & Table for Carl Hansen & Son - The RF1904 Sideways Lounge Chair brings comfort and conversation to a contemporary interior, designed as an extension to the award-winning RF1903 Sideways Sofa by Rikke Frost.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Bjelin Expands US Team / Tom Stringer Design Partners Announces Promotion / Warren St Investors Launches By Three Private Equity-Backed Operators In New York City / Reminder: Access NeoCon 2024 CEUs While You Still Can / 3form Announces Appointment of Sustainability Director / Next Generation Expands EF Contract's Portfolio of Carpeting with Elevated Visuals / Matter Surfaces Intros new PURLINE 1500 / Landscape Forms Appoints Matthew Houser, RLA, ASLA, as Business Development Representative for New York City
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Aarea; Through the Use of Unique Material and Design Innovation Teknion and Pearson Lloyd Reinterpret Conference and Lounge Seating - Aarea is familiar and welcoming in aspect, intuitive and ergonomic in use, and made with minimal components and materials, which speaks to the ingenuity and intelligence of the chair's design.
- HBF Textiles Celebrates Mary Jo Miller's Unforgettable Tenure with 'Memorable' - Mary Jo Miller, Vice President, Design and Creative Direction for HBF Textiles has been the creative visionary behind HBF Textiles for over thirty years. During her tenure, Miller has led the development of a number of award-winning collections and been responsible for translating the works of interior designers, architects and industrial designers into the textile medium. Her own textile collections are experiments with color, texture and graphics and represent some of HBF Textiles best sellers.
- UPFRONT: Thinkspace Expands Footprint in Key U.S. Markets: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Upstate New York & Western Pennsylvania - New Partnerships with Five Dynamic Rep Groups to Elevate Market Presence & Expand Sales
- New In Classifieds - Healthcare Regional Sales Manager - Central & Western US Territory | The Groupe Lacasse Healthcare Regional Sales Manager will be responsible for identifying, developing, securing, and maintaining relationships with new and existing Healthcare clients to generate business opportunities and revenue for the company. This role requires a self-starter mentality, as the salesperson will be responsible for researching and identifying potential new Healthcare clients, networking, and making cold calls.. Read more on page 88.
- PLACES - PTT Global Chemical Offices – Bangkok | The design team proposed one zone one color concept but rather than using primary colors literally designers use tone in tone idea instead.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Carnegie Launches Xorel Cruise, Sustainable, Stylish, and Safe Wallcoverings for Cruise Ship Interiors / DIFFA Elects Tom Polucci of HOK as Chairman of the Board of Trustees / AIA Chicago Announces Moody Nolan as Recipient of 2024 Firm Award / Get Comfortable with Steeve Lou from Arper / Sequoia from Armadillo's latest New Icons Collection / Unveiling Concertex NappaTile's Latest Patterns - NappaTile Mosaics Re-envisioned in Curated Hues
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 11, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: The Art of Design: Making Our Way to Fulton Market—and Beyond, Part Two - To wrap up a long day split between THE MART and Fulton Market, we decided to end the day at the Allseating showroom for the brand's annual party, which was well worth the trip.
- Introducing Portals Room: The Future of Flexible Meeting Spaces - Debuting at NeoCon as a concept, Spacestor received overwhelmingly positive feedback from some of the most successful global companies, who's workplace strategies will benefit from Portals Room.
- Stephen Says - "A Question About Those Pesky "References" Again!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Extend the interview process by increasing the meetings between you and the candidate to more times than you are doing now. Just the two of you. If you're interviewing a candidate two times, make it four times; if you're interviewing four times, make it five or six times.
- Conversa Offers Endless Configurations for Contract Spaces - Conversa offers a versatile seating solution, comprising of modular seating and table units, allowing for endless arrangement possibilities.
- Dyer Brown: Office Design for Historic Buildings Embodies Future of Workplace - Dyer Brown's bespoke environment for 20 Brattle is crafted to foster creativity and collaboration.
- LINAK: Celebrating 30 Years Improving Lives in the US - Thirty years ago, LINAK U.S. Inc. was established in Louisville, Kentucky, marking a significant chapter for the company and the visionary leadership of founder and CEO, Bent Jensen.
- Apartment Zero Celebrates 25 Years of Industrial Design Innovation through Cultural Diplomacy - A cultural touchstone, Apartment Zero continues to present the work of the up-and-coming with the same level of enthusiasm enjoyed by their network of established, renowned contemporary designers from around the globe.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Gibson Interior Products Added to Hightower Dealer Network / Landscape Forms Earns Its Sixth Straight Great Place to Work Certification / KI Launches New Graded Laminates Program, Elevating Customization and Flexibility in Furniture Design / Configura Expands Its Commercial Interiors Product Line in Q2 2024 / NELSON Worldwide Moves into New Chicago Office / Allseating Awarded Contract with Equalis Group / Loll Designs NEW Colorways
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Howe Unveils Folding Surfaces: Transforming Flexible Workspaces - Folding Surfaces is a mobile, battery-powered double-folding bench designed for flexible workspaces. Winner of the 2024 Best of NeoCon Business Impact Award, it offers effortless mobility, stability, and on-demand power. Designed for sustainability, it features disassembly for easy repair, responsibly sourced materials, and a recyclable steel frame. Folding Surfaces redefines workspace dynamics, supporting modern hybrid work environments.
- BOS Holdings Acquires Leading Corporate Signage Firm - A properly designed, installed and maintained sign, enhances your bottom line.
- An American-Japanese Success Story: Ultrafabrics at 25, Celebrating a Quarter Century of Textile Innovation - For the last four years, Ultrafabrics has had an external consultant working closely with the Japanese team researching innovations like fabric dyes from food waste such as coffee and matcha tea, and new bio-based inputs.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale Leads in Sustainability with its Chicago Showroom - The Fulton Market space is designated as Living Building Challenge 4.0 Ready, a framework for sustainable building design and performance established by the International Living Future Institute.
- New In Classifieds - Healthcare Regional Sales Manager - Central & Western US Territory | The Groupe Lacasse Healthcare Regional Sales Manager will be responsible for identifying, developing, securing, and maintaining relationships with new and existing Healthcare clients to generate business opportunities and revenue for the company. This role requires a self-starter mentality, as the salesperson will be responsible for researching and identifying potential new Healthcare clients, networking, and making cold calls.. Read more on page 92.
- PLACES - Techspence Coaching Centre Offices – Kozhikode | Minimal and functional, the Techspence office by Artystry is a space that is relaxed and unrestrictive in both movement and fresh ideas for its young staff.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Shaw Contract Sponsors Hip Hop Architecture Camp in Atlanta / Designing a Better Chicago Announces 2024 Grant Recipients / Hill Woodworks Owner Chris Foltz Awarded Women of Influence Award / The Agility Company Introduces its Newest Fixed Table Base, Dynamis, Available in Three Heights / Aceray's Tango Line of Seating Designed to Perform in Hospitality Spaces / Revolutionize HVAC Performance with Invi Air's 1-Slot Round Diffuser / SANAYI313's Stainless Steel Martini Tables
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 4, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: Monday Morning at THE MART What We Experienced During NeoCon, Day One - Overall, the goal for Group Lacasse this year was to showcase more of a mix and match feeling; how to create different zones of interest; and how to make spaces where communities can thrive and help lift individuals as well as teams.
- New Third Floor Showroom Attracts Engaged Crowd to AIS for Refreshed Product Line, Previews of New Solutions, and Concepts in Development - A Season of Growth: Dealers, Designers, and Guests Create Buzz About New Offerings
- Stephen Says - "Does The Company You Work for Typecast Your Future Job?" - by Stephen Viscusi - I have a friend who works for an open line company now and they want to change jobs to one of the majors. They seem to be having difficulty getting past the first interview and they're blaming it on the fact that they come from a mid-to-lower price brand, albeit a great company.
- Enwork Delights Attendees with Quantum Flip Table at Neocon - Featuring a slim and sturdy profile, auto-locking casters, accessible bag hooks, and an intuitive flip mechanism, Quantum stands as the leader in the high-performance training table category.
- Launching in September 2024: Anagram Sofa - Anagram is the sofa solution that cleverly embodies current lifestyle changes. This is achieved through its comfort, engineering, functionality and aesthetics: the same hallmarks that typify all Vitra products.
- ASID To Welcome Distinguished Interior Designers To College Of Fellows - Election to the ASID College of Fellows, the Society's highest honor, is bestowed on less than 1% of the ASID membership.
- Manufacturer Point of View: 9to5 Seating's 2024 NeoCon Recap - The biggest highlight? Winning three Best of NeoCon awards for HÅG Celi and HÅG Tion. HÅG Celi took home awards for Innovation and Sustainability, while HÅG Tion was recognized for Sustainability.
- AROUND THE INDUSTRY - Gordon Boggis, CEO of Carnegie, Named to Fast Company's Impact Council / Kimball International Releases New 12-Day Quick Delivery Program / IIDA Launches Certified Design Futurist Program / Allsteel Unveils Expansion of Gunlocke Stratawood Reconstituted Wood Veneer Collection / Teknion Debuts [In]Studio, A Hub of Inspiration, Collaboration, and Investigation
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Arcadia's Flipside Modular Benches are a Fusion of Simplicity and Adaptability - Drawing upon the concept of minimalism, the series features a slender profile and open metal frame that are at once sophisticated, yet convey a playful energy.
- Kirei Releases HyperFly Products - "Acoustics can amplify a space by creating impactful moments."
- Luna Textiles Introduces The Return Collection Inspired by Mexican Architecture - Carefully constructed using natural and recycled materials, including linen, wool, cotton and polyester, The Return Collection is free from added finishes and signals Luna's deep commitment to the environment.
- ORGATEC 2024 to Pave the Way for Circular Biomaterials - ORGATEC visitors will be able to experience these materials up-close and first-hand in the #CircularBiomaterials Focus Area.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale Previews It's First Ever Lounge Chair Paying Homage To Revolutionary Industrial Designer Niels Diffrient - Neils altered the world of design through his belief that chairs should adapt to the user, not the other way around.
- New In Classifieds - Exemplis, manufacturer of SitOnIt and IDEON seating, is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and highly motivated sales representative for our Northern California Sales Team. Read more on page 88.
- PLACES - Super Co Coworking Offices – Singapore | Conexus Studio has reimagined a workspace that goes beyond the ordinary, prioritizing not just functionality but also community and mutual advancement.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Arper Design Stories, the New Podcast / Foscarini's Fregio designed by Andrea Anastasio / markilux Introduces Eight New Panel Colors / DARRAN Launches Teo, A Playful Bit of Utility to Brighten and Enliven Spaces / IFDA'S Educational Foundation Announces Design Student Scholarship Winners For 2024 / RBW and Little Wing Lee's Cape / Boss Design Launches Remi: A Sustainable Milestone in Furniture Industry / CEU Alert | Furniture in Healing Environments July 10th / Pebble from Armadillo's Latest New Icons Collection / Carl Hansen & Son's The English Chair
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 27, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: The Art of Design : Making Our Way to Fulton Market and Beyond, Part One - Humanscale explored the intricate links of how workspaces influence individual wellbeing, material selection impacts the environment, and holistic choices ripple outwards.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Wyatt Seating Introduces the Fini Chair - The Fini isn't just another chair; it's the result of listening to our dealers' requests and turning them into solutions that help you win.
- Carnegie Launches New Biobased Textiles Celebrating 10 Years Of Biobased Xorel® and PVC-Free Innovation - "Biobased Xorel truly sets the standard for a truly environmentally-conscious design that simultaneously inspires creativity, enhances performance, and promotes true environmental stewardship."
- Hendrick Brings Old Hollywood to "The Jewel Box" at Assembly Atlanta - "It's really more of an art installation."
- Versteel Adds Troupe Training, Teamwork and Adjustable Height Solutions - Troupe Tables, Training Tables and Sky Tables with Troupe base join the Troupe Gathering, Inline and Seating collections to form a comprehensive family of solutions that complement each other across various settings.
- DARRAN Furniture Unveils "FION": A Definitively Different Lounge Chair - Fion is engineered to approach seating from a more open and feminine perspective and focuses on the nurturing reassurance of a gentle hug.
- Wellness Design Principles Fuel LRS Architects Design of Davis Wright Tremaine's New, Amenity-Rich Downtown Portland Office - LRS designed 'interaction zones,' dynamic shared amenity spaces that bring people and ideas together and get employees excited about being in the office.
- Inside Look at Amazon's Nitro Office in Seattle by Graphite Design Group - Amazon's Nitro Office in Seattle, designed by Graphite Design Group, prioritizes connectivity and comfort. The interior design promotes productivity and well-being, with diverse workspaces and elements of surprise.
- Landscape Forms Introduces the Outline Family of Urban Lighting Elements - The family includes 12' and 10' column lights, a 4' path light and a 4' unlit bollard.
- Versteel Adds Troupe Training, Teamwork and Adjustable Height Solutions - Troupe Tables, Training Tables and Sky Tables with Troupe base join the Troupe Gathering, Inline and Seating collections to form a comprehensive family of solutions that complement each other across various settings.
- Stephen Says - "The Viscusi Guide For What To Do If Your Company is Sold: Ask For a Stay Bonus or Leave" - by Stephen Viscusi - Let's be candid: These tech bros walking into the furniture industry are as clueless as seventh-grade boys at a middle school dance.
- MillerKnoll Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2024 Results - Orders in the fourth quarter were up 1.1% on a reported basis and up 2.9% organically from last year.
- BUSINESS MOVES - Sherwin to Join BIFMA's Board of Directors / AIS Grows Contract Business as Gentry Takes on New Role to Expand Sales in the Federal Government Sector / PARIC Holdings Acquires Corporate Concepts to Join its I3 Group / HNI Corporation Elects New Director / Independent Suppliers Group Announces Industry Week '25 Collaboration with AOPD / DARRAN Furniture Unveils New Showroom on the 3rd Floor During NeoCon
- JUST LAUNCHED - Arper's Kata Chair / Carl Hansen & Son Presents The Spherical Bed
- UPFRONT: Humanscale Opens the Waitlist for Freedom 25th Anniversary Signature Edition - This limited run of 250 chairs pays tribute to the iconic Freedom Chair, which transformed seating comfort and support, breaking free from traditional limitations, while offering unparalleled support and effortless adaptation to every body.
- New In Classifieds - Exemplis, manufacturer of SitOnIt and IDEON seating, is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and highly motivated sales representative for our Northern California Sales Team. Read more on page 94.
- PLACES - Superbid Offices – Sao Paulo | Upon entering the office through the main entrance, clients and employees can enjoy a coffee lounge, from which the program divides into two zones, connected in a ring around the arena.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - BIFMA Announces Election of New Directors to the Board / Herman Miller's Fuld Nesting Chair Designed by Stefan Diez Receives "Red Dot: Best of the Best" Award for Product Design in the Office Chairs Category / Framery Unveils Disability Accessible Office Pod without Compromising on Price or Features / FLEXMIRROR Helps Make 'NOSEBLEED' a Reality in Record Time / Foscarini's Hoba / From the New Icons Collection, Armadillo introduces Faroe / RIVA Spain Presents RIVA MAX, Responsibly-Sourced European White Oak Flooring / Introducting Cosgrove Executive Conference Swivel from JSI
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 20, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: The Show Must Go On... NeoCon: The Press Day Preview, Part Two - Next week, we're on to Day 1 of NeoCon as well as a side trip to Fulton Market and beyond...
- Behind the Design: A Q&A with Industrial Designer, Jesse Hill - It's all about "Complex Simplicity"
- Stephen Says - "Tile + Stone Is a Hot Job Right Now!" - by Stephen Viscusi - At The Viscusi Group, one of the categories that we recruit in is tile & stone, salespeople and Sales Managers. One of our first clients in the tile and luxury plumbing fixtures space many years ago was Waterworks, followed by #Bisazza.
- The 55th Edition of Neocon Sparked Joy Through its People, Programming, & Products - This year there was a strong focus on tech, flexible furniture, sustainable materials, as well as a proliferation of acoustic solutions for the future focused workplace.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Tangram Interiors Hosts Successful Health Spaces Showcase, Transforming Healthcare Design Experiences - Tangram Interiors recently hosted the Health Spaces vendor showcase in their Santa Fe Springs showroom.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Humanscale's Neat Suite Provides the Ultimate Assortment of Organizational Workspace Solutions - NeatCharge provides a simple, sophisticated, and concealed way of charging devices.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT - wilsonbauhaus Appoints Christopher McCullough as Director of Business Development / Casey Drake Takes on National Account Manager Role for AIS
- UPFRONT: Explore Community Engagement at IIDA NY's 6th Annual Volunteer Fair - The Volunteer Fair will feature representatives from IIDA NY's 28 committees, from Forums to Member Services to Signature Events.
- AWARD SPOTLIGHT - Allsteel's Admix Tables Win in Interior Design Magazine's HiP Awards for Best Workplace Work Table / HON's Storyline Selected As Interior Design Magazine HiP Award Honoree in the Workplace Storage Category / 9to5 Seating HÅG Celi and HÅG Tion Win Three Best of NeoCon 2024 Awards / Normann Copenhagen Mat Chair, Shown at Allsteel Wins MetropolisLikes 2024 Award / Watson Furniture's Edison Workbench Wins Big
- Watson Introduces New Work Tools Collection at Neocon, Paves the Way for Dynamic Work Environments - Introduced at NeoCon, the Allé collection embraces flexibility, movement, and collaboration
- Ligne Roset Hosts Panel Featuring Key Collaborators of the Starling Project - The individuals behind the revolutionary community center discuss their visions, goals, and groundbreaking ideas
- Sound Sustainability: Spinneybeck Launches Søuld Eelgrass Acoustic Panels - Søuld eelgrass acoustic panels are featured on Spinneybeck's newest wall and suspended ceiling products, Søuld Baffle, Søuld Wall, and Søuld Wooden Joints.
- Geiger Launches Immersive 3D Private Office Configurator - This new technology allows architects, designers, and dealers to visualize a wide array of design possibilities and engage with Geiger's products like never before.
- Nemo Tile + Stone Introduces Two New Porcelain Collections: Yasmine and Apollo - These timeless collections add visual currency through their textures and play of pattern.
- Fräsch Releases BLOOM Acoustical Lighting Collection - Fräsch was founded with a vision to create beautiful yet functional products that reduce unwanted noise and elevate the acoustical properties of any space.
- Steelcase Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2025 Results - Orders grew 8% compared to prior year with 10% growth in the Americas; Operating income improved by $10 million compared to prior year driven by International
- New In Classifieds - Independent Sales Representatives | 2/90 Sign Systems is seeking Independent Sales Reps forUpstate New York, Pacific region (excludes California), and Mountain region (includes Idaho, Montana only). EVERY facility needs wayfinding signage! Read more on page 94.
- PLACES - La Vega Innova iHUB Offices – Madrid | Studio Banana designed an evolutionary and versatile space, with zoning organised in neighbourhoods breaking down silos and promoting constant flow between teams.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Dauphin Welcomes Tom Westhusin as Director of Operations / Studio TK Wins Bronze at the 45th Annual Telly Awards / Trellis from Armadillo's latest New Icons Collection / RIVA Spain Announces RIVA Academy International Internship Program / CONSOLL Hires a new Manufacturer Relations Director / Arper's Steeve Lou / Carl Hansen & Son's Radio House Mirror by Vilhelm Laurirzen / RBW and Little Wing Lee's Copia / Arper's Ghia 74
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 13, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: Ready, Set, Show - NeoCon: The Press Day Preview, Part One - KI Wall made its mark at NeoCon 2024 with a showing of its architectural pods and walls focusing on seamlessly integrating into contemporary spaces in a functional yet visually enticing way.
- Stephen Says - "Is It Time To Put "Term Limits" on Regional Managers?" - by Stephen Viscusi - But here's my real takeaway from this year's NeoCon; Manufacturers and dealers alike want all their salespeople back to work in the office five days a week.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: FCA Celebrates 70 Years of Architectural Excellence and Innovation - One of Philadelphia's oldest established design firms, FCA has expanded over the last seven decades from a regional practice into a nationally-recognized design powerhouse, with a prominent reputation for success across the healthcare, medical equipment planning, commercial and workplace, higher education, life science, and urban planning sectors.
- SHOWROOM SPOTLIGHT: Humanscale's 'Connected' Exhibit at Fulton Market Design Days 2024 - Held in the new Chicago showroom, this year's exhibit provided exclusive previews of Diffrient Lounge, Float Micro, and Freedom 25th Anniversary Signature Edition.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: A Bold New Spectrum for Play: Herman Miller Gaming Launches New Colors & Redesigned Headrest for Vantum Gaming Chair - Herman Miller Gaming debuts a refreshed Vantum Gaming Chair, now available in four bold new colors and a redesigned headrest for even easier adjustments on this versatile chair.
- UPFRONT: HBF Textiles Introduced Memorable at NeoCon - Memorable is a must-see collection designed by Mary Jo Miller.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Stylex Announced Notable Collaborations and Launched Three Dynamic Products at NeoCon - All three product launches are manufactured in the U.S. with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability with BIFMA LEVEL and Greenguard certification, supported by a 10-year performance warranty.
- Photo Log: Groupe Lacasse, Floor 10 - Discover the Collective Movement.
- Enwork Redesigned Showroom, Debuted Trio Of Innovative Products - Enwork's showroom centerpiece - VOU - is a stunning addition to Enwork's conference table offering.
- HAT Collective Introduced New Monitor Arm, E5, at NeoCon - "When we designed the E5, our goal was to make it all-encompassing and to make every aspect simple, from specification to installation to user configuration."
- Thinkspace Brings HushFree Acoustic Collection of Booths to North America with NeoCon Debut - Class A acoustics, mood lighting, ventilation and room availability features at an affordable price are workspace game changers. Three models offer exceptional acoustic comfort for individuals, teamwork, meetings.
- EzoBord Unveils Concept Product Space Featuring Acoustic Ceiling and Wall Solutions - INtainer Delivers an Innovative and Inspirational Design Experience.
- Kimball International Announces Grand Opening of New NYC Showroom - Located at the entrance of the dynamic Flatiron District, the space is dedicated to showcasing Kimball International's comprehensive array of workplace, education, and healthcare furniture solutions.
- Photo Log: Fulton Market Design Days and NeoCon 2024 - Complete editorial coverage coming throughout the remainder of June and all of July, with in-depth analysis of all the events in Chicago, along with industry reactions, including an overview of each event and the big winners.
- Bjelin Unveils Striking Contrast Collection - These powerhouse floors, made with European, FSC-certified wood from Croatia, are available in an XL format and a Nature grading.
- Steelcase and Logitech Introduce Extended Reality Experience Ocular View - Leaders in hybrid collaboration and technology create more realistic virtual connections for better meetings in the office.
- Room & Board for Business Returned to Neocon with Four New Product Launches - New Products Included Two Modern Lounge Chairs and Two Durable Outdoor Collections
- New In Classifieds - Independent Sales Representatives | 2/90 Sign Systems is seeking Independent Sales Reps forUpstate New York, Pacific region (excludes California), and Mountain region (includes Idaho, Montana only). EVERY facility needs wayfinding signage! Read more on page 96.
- PLACES - Bupa Acıbadem Offices – Istanbul | The open office area is arranged to maximize natural light, enhancing the natural lighting of the workspace.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Spectorgroup Announces Retirement of Sergio Baluyut / Clear Design Updates Lookbook with Inspiring New Visuals / Hooker Furnishings Positions Itself For Contract & Hospitality Growth / The 3rd ORGATEC TOKYO - Envisioning the Future of the Workplace through the Power of Design - Over 40,000 Visitors Gather as Scale Expands
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 6, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: New Year, New NeoCon: A Pre-Show Interview Reveals Insights on this Year's Edition - "Since people aren't together as frequently as they were pre-pandemic, the importance of these annual gatherings is even more important to the industry."
- Stephen Says - "Dealers: Visit Your "Open Line" Manufacturers During Neocon!" - by Stephen Viscusi - As a dealer sales rep, the open lines were the products I was most able to sell, especially to my smaller customers, and I made the most amount of gross profit margin on those manufacturers.
- Kimball International's Chicago Showroom Focuses on Lifestyle Amenities During Fulton Market Design Days - The rise of Lifestyle Amenities marks a new era for ancillary spaces, blending convenience with purpose to enrich work, learning, and health on a personal level.
- Humanscale Sets New Sustainability Standard with its Chicago Showroom - The street-level space embodies Humanscale's minimal aesthetic and features large circular architectural volumes, framing and accentuating the brand's hero products, including the iconic Freedom Chair.
- SHOWROOM SPOTLIGHT: AIS Opens Beautiful Third Floor Showroom, Previews New Solutions, and Features Concepts in Development - A Season of Growth: Non-Stop Energy Surrounds AIS as Their Commitment to Dealers Strengthens.
- SHOWROOM SPOTLIGHT: Creating a Future in Motion Together: LOGICDATA and JIECANG Head to NeoCon 2024 - Both brands will highlight their product ranges, including the OEM-optimized OPTIMUS Program.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Patricia McCaul, AIA, LEED AP, Principal at Rottet Studio Receives Drexel 100 Award - McCaul has been with Rottet Studio since its inception in May 2008.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Fellowes Contract Interiors Announces Enhancements to Volo Modular Wall Product - The new enhancements will be available for specification and order shortly after Design Days in Q3 2024.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: KFI Studios Names Director of Sales and Director of A&D Sales & Development - "We've made remarkable strides in expanding our brand and sales in recent years, and we are thrilled to have Kevin join our team to continue our momentum."
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Creative Office Resources Welcomes New SVP to New England Sales Team - Avellaneda brings nearly two decades of experience in sales and customer service, having previously excelled in both the manufacturing and dealer sides of the industry.
- AWARD SPOTLIGHT: Allsteel's Admix Tables Win 2024 Architizer's A+Product Awards Popular Choice in Contract Furniture Category - The award-winning series was designed with flexibility and adaptability in mind, ideal for multi-purpose spaces and teams in hybrid settings.
- AWARD SPOTLIGHT: Fantini Design Awards Officially Open for Submission - Three projects will be selected as winners by a panel of judges, and one representative per winning project will receive a 4-day, all-expenses paid trip to Casa Fantini/Lake Time resort.
- UPFRONT: Concept 400E from Groupe Lacasse is now on CET - Concept 400E gives you an abundance of forms, components and finishes.
- Landscape Forms Expands Popular Americana & Harvest Collections - The new range of Harvest tables is designed with the element of elevated togetherness in mind, applying the communal nature of a round table to a wider range of outdoor experiences.
- Omni Workspace Welcomes Geri Hieronymus as Regional Vice President - Omni's distinctive brands, including Atmosphere Commercial Interiors, Emerald Blue, Meso, and Turnkey Project Services, serve organizations in many ways, all with a focus on delivering superior products and services.
- Timi is Redefining Modern Office Furniture at the ARC in Chicago - Join us in Chicago at the ARC Showroom at 404 North May Street to experience the transformative potential of Timi.
- ICFF Ends With Major Applause From The Show Floor - ICFF thanks its partners who also hosted their awards on the show floor this year: Adorno, ASID NY Metro, Be Original Americas, Female Design Council, and IFDA.
- Kimball International's Kolo Pods Accredited as a Certified Autism Resource - Designed to offer a quiet space within open environments, the Kolo Pod is an ideal solution for learning, working, and healing spaces.
- AIS Honored for Workforce Development and Productivity at Annual Manufacturing Excellence Event - Award highlights the many training, engagement, and outreach programs that cultivate and support the company's diverse workforce.
- NaughtOne Debuts Morse Curved Modules for Award-Winning Morse Table System and More at NeoCon - NaughtOne invites guests to imagine endless design opportunities through the brand's "World of Possibilities."
- Fellowes Expands Its Portfolio with Launch of Markerboard Line-Up - Through the Fellowes Markerboard ID program, easy-to-specify custom sizes, special colors, and digital prints are available, allowing customers to create unique and beautiful writing surfaces.
- ULTRAFABRICS AT 25 YEARS: The Brand Announces its Volar Bio Line has Doubled its Sustainable Content - At the Sustainability Lab Ultrafabrics will show Kajihara's trial-and-error textile samples using various bio-based experiments.
- HBF Unveils Layered, Lively Refresh in Their NYC Showroom - The main showroom was designed to be open and airy, with high ceilings and large windows maximizing the natural light.
- Hightower Turns 21 and Looks to the Future for NeoCon - The latest and greatest from Hightower will be featured during NeoCon in the company's showroom in theMART, 1110.
- Scandinavian Spaces NeoCon Product Launch - New product introductions expand multiple product categories.
- New In Classifieds - ARTOPEX IS LOOKING FOR MANUFACTURER SALES REPRESENTATIVE | Artopex a leading manufacturer of office furniture offering everything under one roof including laminate case goods, systems furniture, seating, and metal storage is seeking dynamic sales-oriented manufacturer sales representation to join our team for the following territories: Philadelphia, Eastern & Central PA, Delaware, Southern New Jersey and for the San Antonio & Austin markets. Read more on page 124.
- New In Classifieds - JOIN ERGOCENTRIC'S GROWING SALES TEAM! | Are you passionate about enhancing workplace wellness and productivity through high-quality ergonomic solutions? Read more on page 125.
- PLACES - Danone Offices – Sofia | For employees to feel attached and comfortable as well as for visitors to recognize Danone's identity and feel accustomed with company's values.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Heller Launches the Fortune Chair / DEDON Launches the KIDA Armchair / Luum Expands Graded In Partnerships / Allsteel 'Tell Me More' Podcast: Change Management for the Evolving and Intentional Workplace / Anthros at Fulton Market During Design Days / Ethnicraft Launches the PI Dining Chair / Designtex Debuts the Joy Collection / Visit the Ligne Roset Showroom / 9to5 Seating Levels Up: New BIFMA Rating / Concertex: Hanabi in Collaboration with Elodie Blanchard / TPG Architecture Celebrates its 45 Year Legacy / HBF Debuts the KUBI Lounge Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 30, 2024
- Stephen Says - "Getting Ready For NeoCon and Design Days! Are you ready?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Old topic, new response. The response is somewhat new because, you're right, with the growth of Design Days and major manufacturers in other locations, it is much more difficult than pretending you're going to take an extra-long restroom break, to show your face to the competitors.
- Days Away: The Future of Design Takes Shape at NeoCon 2024 - The Latest Solutions Redefining Commercial Interiors Prioritize People & Planet
- Falcon Celebrates Their 55th NeoCon with a Powerful List of New Products - Falcon has recently engaged in a new partnership with Italian wood chair designers expanding their selection with fresh, leading edge wood chair designs.
- The Fortune Chair by JUMBO at Design Within Reach - JUMBO's First Project for Heller Invites Joy, Luck, and a Modern Sensibility to Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Alike
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: WCS – Driving the Industry Forward with Superior Visualization and Order Management Tools - WCS is a developer of 3D CPQ product configurators, designed to help manufacturers showcase products in fresh, engaging ways for end-customers and designers, while streamlining the sales process for dealers and sales rep groups.
- EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Design with Impact: MillerKnoll Collective of Brands Welcomes Design Professionals and Enthusiasts to Showrooms for Fulton Market Design Days - With 70,000+ square feet of showroom and retail space, this year's exposition highlights leading sustainability work, test lab innovation and debut products across lifestyle, office and beyond.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: AMQ Solutions Expands Sales Team with Addition of Two New Territory Managers - "AMQ's ongoing growth in the SMB market is driving the expansion of our sales team."
- UPFRONT: Modern Design Elements Meet Rustic Appeal in emuamericas' Sid Outdoor Furniture Collection - The Sid collection offers an array of aluminum finishes and wood visuals for specification, including an all-weather wicker option.
- Celebrating the Success of HD Expo + Conference 2024 - More than 11,000 total attendees and 600 exhibitors came together for three days of discovery, learning, and networking.
- Studio TK Presents Bevy Mobile, a Multipurpose Table Encouraging Accidental Encounters - Bevy Mobile redefines the possibilities of dynamic workspaces, fostering collaboration, creativity, and innovation in every setting.
- The Mitchell Group Debuts NetZERO: the Industry's First Water-based Coated Fabric Made with ZERO Chemical Solvents - In addition to the absence of organic solvents, both the process and the product are free of chemical flame retardants, antimicrobial additives, formaldehyde, Bisphenol A, heavy metals, phthalates, plasticizers, PVC and PFAS.
- Interface Releases 2024 Design Trend Index - New Report Captures Evolving Trends and Growing Need for Customization Capabilities in Commercial Design
- FLEXMIRROR Reflects Next Wave of Design at ICFF in Manhattan - Reflective finishes are among the few architectural details that can instantly create a new sense of space that is both larger and brighter.
- Introducing 6 Stunning Wood Look Acoustic Colors - Elevate Your Space with Nature-Inspired Acoustic Solutions
- Original BTC Expands Global Presence with Munich Showroom Opening - The British DNA of Original BTC brings a fascinating fusion of timeless elegance and practical functionality to traditional German interior design.
- The Good Plastic Company Expands Market Presence With Strategic Partnerships Across North America - The Sustainable Materials Manufacturer Adds Eleven Independent Rep Groups
- Okamura Introduces a Major Showroom Redesign for NeoCon + a New Global Brand, "To the Last Detail" - "To the last detail." encapsulates Okamura's unique philosophy of accumulating meticulous care and attention to detail, even in areas invisible to the eye, such as the product's back, its finer details, and the production process. Okamura has continued to produce high-quality products that result from its exquisite craftsmanship, rooted in the development of ultra-precision machinery such as aircraft, and the Japanese aesthetic sense of respect for nature and consideration for others.
- JLL U.S. and Canada Design Trends and Cost Guide - New workplace standards demand an evolution of office design- JLL's annual design trends and cost guide finds a shift toward hybrid work practices and prioritization of sustainability goals is impacting office design and fit-out cost.
- Rhode Island School of Design Grad Show 2024 Opens at the Rhode Island Convention Center - Graduate study at RISD brings together artists, designers and thinkers from around the world to research, experiment, create and push theIR possibilities.
- New In Classifieds - ARTOPEX IS LOOKING FOR MANUFACTURER SALES REPRESENTATIVE | Artopex a leading manufacturer of office furniture offering everything under one roof including laminate case goods, systems furniture, seating, and metal storage is seeking dynamic sales-oriented manufacturer sales representation to join our team for the following territories: Philadelphia, Eastern & Central PA, Delaware, Southern New Jersey and for the San Antonio & Austin markets. Read more on page 152.
- New In Classifieds - JOIN ERGOCENTRIC'S GROWING SALES TEAM! | Are you passionate about enhancing workplace wellness and productivity through high-quality ergonomic solutions? Read more on page 153.
- PLACES - ESOFT Offices – Hanoi | The whole area stands out with its simple and convenient layout, reflecting the youthful spirit and professionalism of the business.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Landscape Forms Appoints Jessica Varner as Business Development Representative for Alberta & Saskatchewan, Canada / Aceray's Tana Seating Line Combines Modern Design with Customizable Comfort / Berco Designs' Website Got an Upgrade - Now Features the Oasis Berco Office Pods / SMPS-NY Celebrates 40 Years of Excellence at Annual Liberty Ball / LINAK Desk Panel Wins Prestigious iF Design Award
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 23, 2024
- Thoughtful Design Is on the Mind as ICFF Heads Back to the Javits (by Stefanie Schwalb) - "The boundaries are breaking down or being challenged between work and home—indoors and outdoors. We've always been about that, crossing those boundaries and producing things have more than one function."
- Stephen Says - "Steelcase Dealer Sold! Was I Dreaming?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Many of the dealerships that were either Herman Miller or Knoll that were acquired have retained joint sales forces. However, just as many of those dealer salespeople have jumped out of the MillerKnoll family and joined a Steelcase dealer or a Haworth dealer.
- Photo Tour: Clerkenwell Design Week... That's a Wrap on #CDW2024! - Thank you to all who have visited, collaborated, exhibited, sponsored and celebrated! We look forward to seeing you next year.
- Formaspace to Showcase the Future of Lab at NeoCon 2024 - Formaspace is comprised of artisans, engineers, and innovators and it's practice is rooted in the traditions of industrial design.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Office Resources Expands Reach in Alabama with Acquisition of OFC Birmingham Operations - The acquisition of the OFC Workscapes operations enables ORI to enhance its furniture, architectural, and technology solutions, further expanding its comprehensive range of contract furniture and services across Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
- BRAND SPOTLIGHT: BOLD Furniture is Now BOLD+, Launching at NeoCon 2024 - New brand will leverage its expanded and integrated capabilities to serve the contract furniture market.
- EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Cyncly Brings Complete Software Solutions for Dealers and Manufacturers to NeoCon 2024 - 3CAD, a highly customizable visual configure, price, quote (vCPQ) solution, makes its first appearance at NeoCon.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: AIS Ramps Up Sales Team with the Addition of Five Territory Managers Across Regions - Company's Growth Amplified by New Products, Market Visibility, and Dealer-Centric Approach
- UPFRONT: The Float Mini: A Workplace Sit/Stand Solution From Humanscale - The Float Mini offers optional caster wheels allowing mobility and flexibility for the user.
- New Global Workplace Report Highlights the Transformational Shift from Employee Presence to Workplace Experience - With Insights From 16,000+ Global Office Workers, Gensler's Most Extensive Study Yet Uncovers the Strategies That Define Today's Top-Performing Work Environments
- J+J Flooring's Latest Collections and Salone de Mobile Giveaway Among Highlights of Design Days 2024 - "When we made the decision to move our showroom operations to the Fulton Market Design District, we did it with the intention of enhancing the customer experience in an established but fresh environment teeming with creativity and innovation."
- Luum Introduces Twist on a Classic - Combining the depth and beauty of woven textiles with the performance of coated materials, Herringbone Hybrid offers the best of both worlds to seating.
- Rising Monitor Arm Series Wins the Red Dot Design Award - The "Red Dot" design award has been an international symbol of quality design for more than 60 years.
- Furniture that Inspires Human Connection - New from Carl Hansen & Son and Rikke Frost - Carl Hansen & Son is expanding the Sideways Series by Danish designer Rikke Frost with a lounge chair and coffee table that stand out for their organic shapes and natural materials.
- Luum Introduces Twist on a Classic - Combining the depth and beauty of woven textiles with the performance of coated materials, Herringbone Hybrid offers the best of both worlds to seating.
- Carnegie Acoustic Solutions Introduces Four New Xorel Artform Products - The First Update to Xorel Artform in Three Years, These Patent-Pending Products Make Up the Hyper Stretch Launch
- A 1980s Denver Office Building Gets A Modern Revamp - Revitalizing Amenities through Artistic Façades and Eclectic Design
- Science Fiction Design: From Space Age to Metaverse - Now at the Vitra Design Museum until May 11, 2025
- HNI Corporation Announces Plant Consolidation - The decision will impact approximately 200 production and operations members in Hickory.
- New In Classifieds - ARTOPEX IS LOOKING FOR MANUFACTURER SALES REPRESENTATIVE | Artopex a leading manufacturer of office furniture offering everything under one roof including laminate case goods, systems furniture, seating, and metal storage is seeking dynamic sales-oriented manufacturer sales representation to join our team for the following territories: Philadelphia, Eastern & Central PA, Delaware, Southern New Jersey and for the San Antonio & Austin markets. Read more on page 144.
- New In Classifieds - JOIN ERGOCENTRIC'S GROWING SALES TEAM! | Are you passionate about enhancing workplace wellness and productivity through high-quality ergonomic solutions? Read more on page 145.
- PLACES - Konjac Rice Company Offices – Jawa | A focal point of the fourth floor is the expansive lounge area, elevated to new heights of luxury with the addition of a grand void and modern oversized pendant lights.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Clear Design Adds Campano Collection to Product Overview Brochure / Beyond the Classroom (New CEU from Ghent) / Journey of a Textile with Mayer Fabrics (IDCEC CEU) / FLOR Launches New Area Rug Styles to Usher in the Summer Season / Arcadia and Encore to Unveil Newly Expanded Showroom During NeoCon 2024
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 16, 2024
- Stephen Says - "Hire Slow, Fire Fast!" - by Stephen Viscusi - It is much easier to make a bad hire then leaders are often willing to admit. Good managers, the ones who their bosses like, are the ones who follow my formula of hiring slow and firing fast.
- HB Workplaces Unveils New Headquarters at Baltic Pointe - HB Workplaces continues to lead by example in the regional architecture and design community.
- EVENT SPOTLIGHT: 9to5 Seating at NeoCon: Celebrating the Past with Big Plans for the Future - Exciting new products mark big anniversaries.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Solomon Coyle Releases YE2023 Financial Benchmarking Results - Dealer Average Operating Profit Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels
- Designing a New Frontier in Seattle's Urban Core - Graphite has four more mixed-use projects under construction in the neighborhood, which will add nearly 2M square feet of commercial, retail, and residential space.
- Hendrick Adds Some Flavor to Krispy Krunchy Chicken's Headquarters - "Krispy Krunchy Chicken's new surroundings are a testament to the successful fusion of design and branding, creating an inviting and inspiring environment that resonates with everyone who encounters it."
- EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Discover The Intentional Office at the Allsteel Experience Center During Chicago's Fulton Market Design Days - "We are dedicated to crafting intentional offices that adapt to the evolving work dynamics."
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Environments at Work Unveils the AT WORK COLLABORATIVE - The AWC family of brands collectively provides a multifaceted portfolio delivering furniture, architectural products, and specialty construction solutions for both interior and exterior projects and services clients across multiple practice disciplines regionally and nationally.
- UPFRONT: Designing for Wellbeing: Humanscale x Hames Sharley's Path to Workplace Innovation - Humanscale and Hames Sharley were tasked with the challenge of blending the past and present with modern design elements.
- IIDA Announces Recipients of the 2024 Member Of the Year and Student Of the Year Awards - The award includes a $5,000 cash prize, sponsored by OFS, and a complimentary one-year IIDA membership.
- Featured at Clerkenwell Design Week - Product Launches, Round Tables, Workshops, Panel Talks, Anniversaries & Estonian Pastries - Discover what is happening at Clerkenwell Design Week 2024.
- Tangram Interiors Opens Lubbock Office Led By Texas Tech Alumna - "Lubbock and West Texas are deep-rooted communities and have been a priority for Tangram since entering the Texas market."
- 3form and Ringo Studio Partner to Launch Bold New Dreamscape Collection - 3form's design team and Madelynn Ringo dream up ethereal palette in first-of-its-kind collaboration.
- Configura Unveils Transformative Updates with 15.0 Major Release - The new Quick Chain Dimensions and Quick Measure Mode tools make dimensioning faster and more intuitive.
- Coverings 2024 Propels Industry Growth and Inspires Next Generation Professionals - Coverings is the largest and preeminent ceramic tile and natural stone trade fair and exposition in the United States and North America. It features exhibitors from 40 countries and is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world, with more than 1,000 exhibitors.
- Tell Me More Podcast Introduces 'Crafted for Today's Leaders': A Gunlocke Mini-Series. - Tell Me More – a podcast that explores the world of design and innovation, and the intersection of work and life. In each episode, Allsteel experts and industry leaders unravel the stories behind innovative workplace solutions and share the secrets to crafting spaces that inspire productivity, collaboration, and well-being.
- Artaic Launches Revolutionary Mosaic Manufacturing Robot, Apollo - Artaic partnered with BOLD Laser Automation CEO, Todd Lizotte, for the development of Apollo, along with support from Massachusetts Technology Collaborative's Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerate Program (MMAP) and Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC), and numerous tile suppliers.
- Tuuci Named Best of Competition in the 2024 IIDA/HD Expo Product Design Awards - The Ocean Master Voilare Parasols Win in the Casegoods and Freestanding Furniture Category.
- Graphite Design Group Introduces Brand Experience Ideation Studio - Graphite Design Group is a Seattle-based design firm recognized for crafting people-focused integrated environments that elegantly solve complex problems. Their diverse portfolio spans office, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use typologies, serving a broad clientele from boutique retail spaces to $400M development projects.
- Luxxbox Introduces illi Bon – A "Mini Marvel of Acoustics and Light" - With soft PET outer gills and a high-output LED, Illi Bon offers enhanced performance in a smaller package, making it perfect for spaces with size constraints or clustered arrangements. Whether you're seeking a solo statement piece or a beautifully balanced environment, Illi Bon is the perfect choice for unique design aspirations.
- Gearing Up for ORGATEC 2024: More Top Brands Join the List of Exhibitors - ORGATEC has reaffirmed its status as the leading international trade fair for the future of work with impressive registration figures. A host of high-quality brands have confirmed their participation, including major industry players from the flooring, lighting, furnishing and acoustics segments.
- MG2 Acquires Portland, Oregon-based Studio C Architecture - Architects Brian Bennett and Jim Walker join MG2 as Principals.
- IIDA College of Fellows Announces 2024 Inductees - Admission to the College of Fellows is the highest honor given by IIDA to its professional members.
- New In Classifieds - ARTOPEX IS LOOKING FOR MANUFACTURER SALES REPRESENTATIVE | Artopex a leading manufacturer of office furniture offering everything under one roof including laminate case goods, systems furniture, seating, and metal storage is seeking dynamic sales-oriented manufacturer sales representation to join our team for the following territories: Philadelphia, Eastern & Central PA, Delaware, Southern New Jersey and for the San Antonio & Austin markets. Read more on page 128.
- New In Classifieds - JOIN ERGOCENTRIC'S GROWING SALES TEAM! | Are you passionate about enhancing workplace wellness and productivity through high-quality ergonomic solutions? Read more on page 129.
- PLACES - doTerra Brasil Offices – Joinville, Brazil | This company space also has several areas for informal meetings such as "casulos", armchairs and informal spaces.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - The Mitchell Group Names Roslyn Muney as Director of Brand Strategies / Nemo Tile + Stone Unveils Redesigned Website for Enriched User Experience / DEDON Receives Top Honors at HD Expo 2024 / Fellowes Contract Interiors Launches Netta Wire Management Solution / HNI Corporation Increases Quarterly Dividend / Craftsmanship and Clean Lines Converge in Aceray's Mira Line of Seating / SDI Design Welcomes Mardi Najafi as Principal, Retail and Hospitality / Introducing Calidon Tables by Global / Jamie Stern Announces Winners of Design Competition
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 9, 2024
- Installnet Hits Major Sustainability Milestone, Diverting 50 Million Pounds of Unused Office Furniture from Landfill - Growing demand for reuse serves communities across North America. In 2012, Installnet created the Ecoserv program to help divert workplace waste from landfills. Ecoserv provides the processes, standards and metrics needed to assure commercial furniture and assets remain in circulation through reuse, delivering value to customers and the community. Page 130.
- HON Cofi Seating: The Chair That Goes Above and Beyond - The sophisticated seating solution features a refined design, detailed stitching, and premium materials for a remarkably elevated feel.
- Stephen Says - "Residential Is the New Contract and It’s As Hot As Gender Neutral Restrooms" - by Stephen Viscusi - When you interview, be prepared to hear the word "iconic" thrown around a lot. That's code for we have not created anything new lately, so help us keep selling the chair and ottoman created in 1956.
- NeoCon 2024 Unveils Engaging Lineup Of Events And Experiences - Featuring Immersive Installations, Networking Opportunities, Emerging Talent, and Sustainability Showcases.
- EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Fulton Market Design District Preparing for Flagship Design Days Events - More Than 35 Iconic Design Brands Have Joined Together to Welcome Design Professionals and Enthusiasts to the Neighborhood, June 10–12
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Artcobell Awarded Additional Patent for NXT MOV Seating's Distinctive Design and Function - "The realm of classroom chair design hasn't dramatically changed over the last few decades, so this is quite an accomplishment for us as a manufacturer."
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: AIS Welcomes Showroom Manager and Designer to New Third Floor Space at The Mart - Sophie Palma Joins the AIS Midwest Team in Advance of NeoCon
- UPFRONT: Empowering the Hybrid Workspace: Humanscale's Impactful Collaboration with NFP - Humanscale's Path Task chairs were a key element of the integration, designed for comfort and built sustainably.
- UPCOMING EVENT: BIFMA Monthly Learning Series: 2024 Sustainability Trends in Interior Design with ASID - This is a live virtual learning opportunity for our members, designers, buyers, educators, and anyone interested in furniture for the built environment.
- Design Pool Returns to NeoCon with Two New Collections - In addition to introducing NeoCon attendees to their unique online platform and showing them how to use it, Design Pool will be launching two new collections.
- American Craft: Room & Board x True Residential Unveil Innovative Design Portfolio for Commercial and Residential Sectors - Two American-made brands launch collections of durable indoor and outdoor products with integrated refrigeration.
- LightArt Achieves Industry First With 100% Recycled Clear Coil Collection - The evolution of the Coil family embodies LightArt's commitment to sustainability and pursuit of zero-waste manufacturing.
- KFI Studios Introduces Loci - A Collection of Sustainable Tables Designed with Collaboration in Mind
- Camira: Three New Appointments for our North American Division - Camira Group has strengthened its sales and business development teams through the addition of three new direct hires within the contract and hospitality segments.
- Ethnicraft Receives Top Honors at HD Expo 2024 - In addition to its eye-catching aesthetic benefits, the Geometric Console can be used for both display purposes or for storage in a multitude of environments including reception areas, office spaces, hotel lobbies, restaurants, libraries and more.
- The Sound of Silen at This Years' Clerkenwell Design Week - Sustainability takes center stage in what Silen produces, with all their products being CarbonNeutral certified.
- FilzFelt Launches Two Nature-Inspired Acoustic Wall Designs: Grain and Reeds - "The large, floor-to-ceiling felt panels with their organically curved lines, reminiscent of wooden structures and plants, bring a sense of natural surfaces and structures to interiors," said Bernd Benninghoff, designer of Grain and Reeds.
- Kimball International Announces Research that Connects Culture, Belonging, and Sensory Design - Kimball International partnered with Ipsos, a global leader in market research, and Arigami, a distinguished interdisciplinary research team, to study how sensory design and furniture can make people feel like they belong.
- EVÖK Collection x eRTA Cabinet by Makellos Cabinetry and Threespine Core's Revolutionary Click Furniture Technology - Threespine makes furniture assembly easy, fast and fail-safe. The result is flawless, long-lasting furniture with precise angles and no visible holes.
- Ultrafabrics Welcomes Amanda Bylsma and Kimberly Peoples to Sales Leadership Team - These appointments appointment reflect Ultrafabrics' commitment to providing innovative solutions and superior service to all of its partners and clients.
- Studio TK Takes Home Gold at the 2024 Indigo Design Award - This is the second win for Studio TK and creative agency Tolleson's "Santé: Designed by Patrick Norguet" video.
- Herman Miller Celebrates new Branding and Latest Archival Releases with "Picnic on Park" Event During NYCxDESIGN - A standalone print edition of Ideas magazine and the release of Hot Dog Picnic Poster by Steve Frykholm (1973) are the latest expressions of the brand's refreshed identity and rich design history.
- Koelnmesse and dmg events Join Forces To Boost the Middle East Exhibition Scene - This groundbreaking alliance between dmg events and Koelnmesse underscores their commitment to advancing the exhibition landscape in the Middle East.
- MillerKnoll Honored with 2024 SEAL Business Sustainability Award - Company recognized for material innovations and designing out waste from products and packaging.
- The Office of the Future at the Salone del Mobile.Milano 2024 - The distinction between office design and home design is disappearing. Because any place, today, can become a workspace, preferably with the comfort and warmth of a home.
- DIRTT Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results - Revenue of $40.8 million in the first quarter of 2024, up 11% compared to the first quarter of 2023.
- New In Classifieds - Regional Sales Manager, East with AMQ | The Regional Sales Manager reports to AMQ's Vice President, Sales and is responsible for ensuring the organization's sales and revenue are managed, developed and leveraged to their fullest potential within the assigned region. Read more on page 156.
- PLACES - On Running Offices – Shanghai | To ensure that employees have dedicated spaces for deep concentration, M Moser also introduced seasonally themed focus areas – spring/summer and autumn/winter.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Landscape Forms Appoints Deborah Myers as Business Development Representative for New England Region / emuamericas Showcases Re-Trouvé — a Furniture Collection Designed by Patricia Urquiola / HON Announces Top Sales Distinction Awards to Industry-leading Dealer Partners / Brent Capron Joins Corgan as NY Interiors Studio Design Director / Interface Wins Communicator Awards for Carpet Collection and Sustainability Results / NELSON Worldwide Welcomes New Team Members Across Practices / Pulp Studio Announces Partnership with Bethany Fischer of PPSI / HOLLY HUNT Reintroduces Vladimir Kagan's Earliest Designs / Tarkett Grows Source One Team / AHF Products Relaunches Armstrong Flooring MedinPure PVC-Free Homogeneous Sheet with Diamond 10 Technology Coating
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 2, 2024
- Stephen Says - "Unemployed and Underappreciated" - by Stephen Viscusi - People looking for a job, especially when they're unemployed, presume that any kind of placement service can help them find a job. They can't. It does not make you less desirable because you're unemployed. But there is a bias against paying a fee for a candidate that is unemployed by a hiring authority.
- UNDISPUTED EXPERTISE: SOLOMON COYLE - Solving the Mystery of Business Development | When it comes to complex opportunities it's now the norm that sellers come into the purchasing process later, must work with more stakeholders, timelines have shortened, and there is a need to understand the potential client's business issues.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: 9to5 Seating Refreshes Brand on 20th Anniversary - Reimagined brand embraces its roots and launches a groundbreaking vision of the future.
- New ASID Research Highlights Trends in Interior Design Salaries, Benefits and Hiring Practices - Firms that understand evolving employee expectations, prioritize employee engagement and invest in their people can create a virtuous cycle that improves their ability to attract, develop and retain talent.
- Trends and Innovations on Display at ORGATEC 2024 - The office furnishing sector is increasingly adopting a circular approach, viewing this as a competitive advantage.
- 2024-Q1 Solomon Coyle Market Outlook Report Now Available - Distributors Indicate Robust Pipeline, Forecast Increase in Bookings
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Room & Board Celebrates Transition to 100% Employee Ownership - The American-made furniture retailer introduces its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
- SHOWROOM SPOTLIGHT: Transforming Workplaces: Unveiling a New Showroom Experience at NeoCon 2024 - Come Together in Design with Ghent
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Hendrick's Christopher J. Heard Recognized by Auburn University as Black Alumni Award Recipient - Chris was nominated for the prestigious award by the College of Architecture, Design and Construction for his demonstrated involvement and commitment to the university.
- UPFRONT: In Case You Missed It: Humanscale's Webinar on The Real Story on Circularity and Furniture - Humanscale's circularity webinar provided awareness of the effects of the furniture industry, and insight into connecting product life cycles.
- Clear Design Launches KIVA Line - Transform break rooms with modern, bentwood, café-style seating.
- The Island Privacy Pod by Himark Innovative Products - Introducing the Island Privacy Pod by Himark Innovative Products, a premium product with industry-leading features in acoustics, ventilation, modularity, and ease of installation.
- Experience the Pinnacle of Textile Innovation and Luxury with Brentano at Fulton Market Design Days - Brentano to showcase all new PVC-Free wallcovering options, 100% recyclable product and PFAS-Free textiles at the 2024 Fulton Market Design Days in their West Fulton Market Showroom.
- Encore Elevates Mayland Collection with Refind Wood Frame Options - Mayland brings versatility far beyond its conventional role, with design elements that span all models for seamless integration, the possibilities for creating stunning visual combinations are endless.
- NELSON Worldwide Promotes David Crotty and Brad Ewing to National Practice Leaders, Civic & Justice - Crotty and Ewing's elevations to national leaders reflect their outstanding individual contributions and underscore NELSON's dedication.
- Steelcase Opens Dallas WorkLife Center - With an emphasis on sustainability and the wellbeing of modern workers, the showroom is designed to function as a major hub for the organization.
- Architecture Firm Billings Soften Further in March According to AIA/Deltek ABI - The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index reported a score of 43.6 for the month of March, indicating business conditions continue to soften for architecture firms.
- Built Environment Thought Leaders Discuss Pathways to Circular Economy at Tarkett's Third Annual Circularity Summit - "Sharing diverse perspectives on challenges that matter to us all is vital in developing sustainable solutions."
- Georgia Full-service Furniture and Interior Solutions Dealer Announces Ownership Growth - Corporate Environment's Next Chapter: Ownership Growth Signals Bold New Direction
- markilux Introduces the MX-679 Underglass Awning - In keeping with markilux's commitment to individuality, the MX-679 offers an expansive array of customization options, spanning a palette of eight frame colors, lighting options, and seven fabric choices.
- HNI Corporation Reports First Quarter 2024 Results - Strong earnings growth driven by Workplace Furnishings profit transformation.
- New In Classifieds - Regional Sales Manager, East with AMQ | The Regional Sales Manager reports to AMQ's Vice President, Sales and is responsible for ensuring the organization's sales and revenue are managed, developed and leveraged to their fullest potential within the assigned region. Read more on page 116.
- PLACES - DSK Bank Offices – Sofia | The newly designed interior of DSK Bank encapsulates a harmonious blend of functionality, modernity, and elegance.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - RBW Launches First-Ever Collaboration with Little Wing Lee / Avanto Welcomes Mark Goldman as Director of Business Strategy and Customer Experience / RIVA Spain and AIA Miami Announce the RIVA Prize for Excellence in Sustainable Design, First Prize is a Trip for Two to Spain / American Pacific Group Announces Partnership with C.F. Stinson / Teknion Corporation Achieves Milestone Approval for "Near-Term Science Based Targets" by Science Based Targets Initiative
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 25, 2024
- Stephen Says - "I Was Looking For A Salesperson and I've Been Catfished!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Never let a candidate's personal reference or the referral of the person who gave them to you, no matter how much you respect that person, influence you to being starry eyed regarding a candidate.
- UNDISPUTED EXPERTISE: SOLOMON COYLE - Unleashing Profit Potential: A Data-Driven Approach to Business Success | Recognizing a real profit improvement opportunity for your business is exciting. As an owner, principal, or other leader, you might ask yourself, where is our profit improvement opportunity?
- Transforming Health Sciences Education - A Case Study of Tangram Interiors' Biophilic Design and Collaborative Spaces at the University of California Irvine
- Transforming Workplace Accessibility with Connectrac's Solutions - The Flex Raceway System is an innovative floor-based power and data distribution system for interior spaces.
- EVENT SPOTLIGHT: IIDA NY Celebrates Inaugural Career Night - Students, Emerging Professionals Connect with Leading NYC-Based Architecture & Design Firms
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Fräsch Launches FAZR Linear Wood Acoustic Ceiling Solution - "We're excited to deliver another acoustic solution to the market that checks all the boxes when it comes to benefits offered by PET while also integrating the trusted Rockfon system," said Gary Nightingale, Fräsch founder and president.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Landscape Forms Appoints Scott Black as Business Development Representative - A seasoned professional with over 23 years of experience in landscape architecture, Black's expertise spans a diverse range of projects including corporate campuses, green infrastructure, regional commercial centers, residential estates, streetscape enhancements, and urban parks.
- UPFRONT: Fellowes Earns WELL Certification for Design & Experience Center - Beyond product demonstration, the center serves as a collaborative hub for designers, architects, dealers, and end users.
- UPCOMING EVENT: IIDA NY to Host Cassi Chandler at Annual Leaders Breakfast - Motivational Leadership Expert To Address Design Community in Keynote Speech
- A Record 2024: The Salone del Mobile.Milano Closes +20.2% - A bumper year for trade operators too with a 28.6% increase, and a total of 370,824 visitors, 53.9% from abroad.
- NELSON Worldwide Repositions Colonial Warehouse in Minneapolis with New Lounge Amenity - The lounge design draws inspiration from the building's industrial roots, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass, an intricate mesh ceiling, and versatile seating arrangements.
- A 'Diffrient' Perspective: Freedom Chair Turns 25 - Humanscale Celebrates 25 Years of Design, Innovation and Sustainability at Clerkenwell Design Week.
- Knoll Honored the Past and Looks to the Future of Design at Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2024 - Designed by Belgian architecture practice OFFICE, the Knoll pavilion was built with repurposed and recycled materials. It envisioned residential life through a sequence of intimate spaces and elegant flower gardens.
- Herman Miller and Studio 7.5 Introduce Zeph Side Chair to Enliven and Add Comfort to Shared Workspaces - Zeph Side Chair brings new applications to the colorful and ergonomic collection, providing a full family of seating that works together.
- Introducing Catifa Carta: The Sustainable Chair Of Tomorrow, by Arper and PaperShell - "This milestone marks not only a triumph in design, but also a significant step forward in our journey towards a more sustainable future," said Roberto Monti.
- Nemo Tile + Stone Debuts Park Avenue, an Elegant Porcelain Tile Collection - Inspired by the illustrious and prestigious Park Avenue in New York's Upper East Side, Nemo Tile + Stone's latest porcelain tile collection of the same name brings a timeless and contemporary aesthetic to interior surfaces.
- Aiming for Wide Impact, Dyer Brown Adds Key Designer in Southeast - "Every space has a measurable impact on the state of mind of the people within it. I'm really fortunate to be contributing to that with my Dyer Brown colleagues."
- Watson Furniture Welcomes Danielle Bowman as New Regional Leader of Market Development - In her new capacity, Danielle will spearhead the growth, management, and ROI tracking of new dealer- based programs, implementing strategies to drive business in the marketplace.
- NYCxDESIGN Festival Releases 2024 Programming and Events Guide - The acclaimed design week returns May 16-23, to host eight days of inspiration and creativity with the global design community.
- Keilhauer's 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report Inspires and Informs - Guided by the company ethos of Design That Sustains, the 2024 report features stories about new beginnings, carbon neutral product development, world-class sustainable facilities and more.
- 2024 Best of Neocon Jury Announced - Leading Industry Experts Set to Evaluate Hundreds of New Product Submissions
- Interface Commits to Absolute Emission Reduction Efforts to Solve Climate Crisis - Sustainability Leader Updates Carbon Plan to Meet Ambitious Climate Goals
- Mohawk Industries Reports Q1 Results - Flooring North America Segment sales declined 5.6% versus the prior year.
- New In Classifieds - Independent Sales Representatives | Maverick Desk is a leading manufacturer in modern office furniture solutions. We are expanding our sales team and are seeking independent sales representation to develop new business opportunities in select U.S. territories. Read more on page 144.
- PLACES - AT4 Offices – Valencia | With an open, agile, and flexible character, these areas lack hierarchies and can be used according to the daily activity of the company and its employees.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - //3877 Increases New York Presence with Addition of Interior Designer / Loftwall's Latest Tool Answers the Age-Old Question: Is It Just Me Or Is This Office Really Loud? / Humanscale's Active Pony Achieves A Red Dot Award / New Mayer Patterns: Kinsey, Porter, & Sketch / Invi Air Revolutionizes Diffusers with Integrated Lighting
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 18, 2024
- From The Show: 62nd Edition Salone del Mobile.Milano - The aim of the 62nd edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano is to produce lasting value for its exhibitors, to create top quality experiences and generate synaesthesia and cultural short- circuits for all.
- Stephen Says - "Talent Acquisition Department is Killing Our Sales!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Don't assume that just because your company has a talent acquisition department that they're not open to using outside recruiters. It's up to you and your regional managers to advocate to human resources that you feel they need to supplement themselves with an aggressive outside resource.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 9to5 Seating Launches Sustainable Stacking Standout HÅG Celi - Innovative motion seating uses inBalance® technology for increased productivity.
- Humanscale Earns B Corp Certification, Reinforcing Longstanding Leadership in Sustainability - Achieving B Corp Certification demonstrates the company's commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
- Allseating Launches Allora, Designed to Redefine In-Between Spaces - In Partnership with ScagnellatoFerrarese+Masiero, Allora Elevates Guest Seating from Lobbies to Cafeterias
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Sunon's First Overseas Factory Officially Launched, A Model of Chinese-Mexican Cooperation - Adhering to the company mission of "Trust, Collaboration, Morality, Experience", Sunon values employee differences, advocates cultural diversity, provides equal opportunities for all employees, and focuses on empowering women.
- GREEN SPOTLIGHT: Keilhauer Celebrates a Decade of Being One of Canada's Greenest Employers - The North American furniture manufacturer has been recognized for their dedicated sustainability programs and practices for the tenth consecutive year.
- UPFRONT: Discover The Real Story on Circularity and Furniture Webinar, Hosted by Humanscale for Earth Month - This webinar will highlight best practices for furniture decommissioning, share insights into commercial furniture lifecycles and the challenges of disposition, and offer practical tips through case studies.
- Small Changes, Big Impact: Making the Office Come to Life - Spaces that are lit appropriately relative to the type of work taking place can also improve their occupants' mood and energy levels, thereby enhancing productivity and general job satisfaction.
- Tarkett Launches non-PVC Resilient Flooring Collection with Superior Performance - Furthering Tarkett's holistic approach to sustainability, Collective Pursuit is LBC Red List Free and, like all Tarkett North America floors, is ortho-phthalate–free.
- Kall L & XL, by Kettal Studio - The Kall family is available in several sizes. "S" is the most basic and standard, with space for a stool, "M" accommodates a low armchair, and "L" is 30 cm wider and allows a swivel armchair to be installed as if it were a lounge room, for a much more relaxed working posture. And then there is the four-seater "XL" version.
- The HON Workspace | Chicago Location to Open June 10-12 - Explore the new workspace featuring HON's latest and award-winning products at 350 N. Orleans in Chicago, across from THE MART.
- Introducing Prima Vista By Bentley - Bentley Debuts New Signature Brand with Custom Artisan Wool Area Rugs for Commercial Interiors
- Andreu World Unveils New Product Collaborations During Milan Design Week, Including for the Outdoors - Patricia Urquiola will present, in the Milan showroom, the extension of the Bolete BIO® modular sofa system, introducing new chair designs and a table for multipurpose and outdoor use, as well as the new Brezal sofa.
- OFGO STUDIO Introduces SAVOY, a New Collection for Evolving Workspaces - Thoughtfully designed to inspire your vision and adapt to the current and future workplace.
- Portals Connect by Spacestor - A Customizable, Single-User Video Call Booth - Portals is a flexible family of protected working spaces connected to the buzz, but with sufficient privacy and space to complete productive work, and hold private conversations.
- New In Classifieds - Independent Sales Representatives | Maverick Desk is a leading manufacturer in modern office furniture solutions. We are expanding our sales team and are seeking independent sales representation to develop new business opportunities in select U.S. territories. Read more on page 148.
- PLACES - Citi Bank Offices – Montevideo | LGD Arquitectos redesigned Citi Bank's offices in Uruguay with a local and eco-friendly approach, creating themed "neighborhoods" inspired by protected areas and incorporating local artist interventions.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - HNI Corporation Receives DOE Better Project Award / Pallas Textiles Unveils the Mantra Collection: Design-Driven, Versatile, and Human-Centered / NEO Architectural Lighting Launches The Flindt Project Contest / The Idyllic Collection from Concertex - An Ode To Our Inner Sanctuary
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 11, 2024
- Humanscale's New Collection is Elevating Meetings Everywhere - The leading manufacturer of high-performance ergonomic solutions fosters connectivity, collaboration, and active work practices.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Landscape Forms and Industrial Facility Introduce Plains & Pods - Two Complementary Products Inspiring Flexible, Multi-Functional Space Design
- Stephen Says - "Outdoor Furniture Is So Hot Right Now!" - by Stephen Viscusi - So, Stephen, what's the deal? Am I missing the outdoor 'boat' here? Every time I turn around it seems a private equity firm is snapping up one of these brands or a major contract furniture manufacturer is.
- DeskMakers Tidies Up Waste Management with Launch of Spruce and Tidy: Design-Forward Receptacle Solutions - All Spruce and Tidy offerings come with designed-to-fit trash bins and are ADA-compliant, ensuring inclusivity in various settings.
- Watson Unveils New Expansion and Manufacturing Improvements for 2024 - Investment refines production process, increases capacity, and yields without compromise; Tooling advancements make build process more precise and efficient, delivering improved lead times and reducing waste; Customers can expect new product lines, more design choices, and competitive pricing.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Peter Pepper Products Forges Dual Partnerships in Texas with Specrite Interiors and Inside Evolutions - "We are thrilled to partner with both Specrite Interiors and Inside Evolutions as we expand our presence in Texas."
- Know New Plastic: 3form Introduces 100% Recycled Textures - The manufacturer is paving the way towards eliminating virgin material usage.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: QuickShip from Scandinavian Spaces - The recent completion of the new warehouse facility in North America has empowered Scandinavian Spaces to expand its QuickShip program to include Kite.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Solomon Coyle Names Shelley Rosetta as Principal - With over 30 years of experience in commercial interiors — including design, sales leadership, manufacturing, distribution leadership, and business development — Shelley brings a fresh perspective on the potential for growth and improvement within the industry.
- UPFRONT: Fellowes Rising wins the 2024 iF Design Award and GOOD DESIGN Award - Rising also introduces two new technologies from Fellowes in SnapKinect for simple and streamlined assembly and RotationStop, which allows the monitor arm to swing and adjust between 14 distinct stopping points.
- UPCOMING EVENT: Salone del Mobile.Milano 2024: All the Innovations You Need to Know About - From a trade fair event, the Salone is increasingly becoming an inclusive, value-based, responsible context and network to generate relationships, narratives and significant projects all through the year.
- CIFF Guangzhou 2024: A Record-breaking Edition and a Major Boost to International Furniture Trade - An extraordinary edition of CIFF Guangzhou has just concluded, recording the highest number of exhibitors and visitors ever.
- Pulp Studio Expands Business With Fashionable Façades - The glass itself is embedded with stainless steel and sculpted to mimic the fashion brand's signature textured Epi leather pattern seen on bag handles.
- Tangram Interiors Elevates Key New Players To Business Development Roles - The company has nurtured a collaborative and people-focused culture in the belief that people fuel innovation, that has led to the organic growth of multiple business units complementing the firm's core contract furniture offering: custom furniture, ancillary furniture, flooring and light construction, audio-visual integration, architectural walls, on-site furniture reconditioning, asset management and storage, delivery and installation, and corporate moves.
- Tarkett Brings Home Two Atlanta Marketer of the Year Awards for its 2023 Design Days Campaign - The campaign included print and digital pre-show ads, outdoor ads on kiosks and mobile billboards, feet-on-the-street promotions and an interactive mark-making activity in the showroom to connect attendees with the Collaborative collection's design process.
- Ware Malcomb Announces Promotions in Nashville Office - Ware Malcomb opened its Nashville office in April 2022, and has been working with clients across Tennessee for more than nine years.
- Perkins&Will Opens New Studio in San Antonio, Expanding its Southwest Presence - The new studio is located in the heart of San Antonio's Historic Pearl neighborhood, just north of downtown at 303 Pearl Parkway.
- Configura Adds to Its Suite of Commercial Interiors Products in Q1 2024 - Additions to CET Commercial Interiors and the Commercial Interiors Library position Configura as a leader in the space design industry.
- Ghent's Glassboards Retain BIFMA LEVEL 2 Certification - "Retaining our LEVEL 2 certification on our glassboards is a significant achievement for Ghent."
- Bolon's Graphic Collection Refresh - All Bolon products are manufactured in Sweden and contain 68% recycled material. The factory runs on 100% renewable energy and all waste generated is recycled or energy-recovered, with zero waste going to landfills.
- MillerKnoll Honored with Disability Matters Award - "We are proud to see our commitment to increasing equity and access acknowledged across our organization and in partnership with our clients."
- Caesarstone Unveils 'Beyond The Surface' Report Exploring the Impacts of Design on Everyday Life - Caesarstone releases a report exploring design trends authored by the 'Caesarstone Circle' - a design advisory panel of industry experts.
- New In Classifieds - Independent Sales Representatives | Maverick Desk is a leading manufacturer in modern office furniture solutions. We are expanding our sales team and are seeking independent sales representation to develop new business opportunities in select U.S. territories. Read more on page 134.
- PLACES - Nium Offices – Singapore | The departure from conventional office norms is further exemplified with a large Nium logo replacing a dedicated reception desk.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Bendheim Adds New HPDs to Product Categories / Charles Brill and Theo Richardson To Lead RBW Into The Future / Sonya Haffey Rises to CEO of V Starr / Blending Interactive Design with Luxury Materials - Pulley Pendant from Allied Maker / BKV Group Hires Melanie N. Hanna as Director of Interior Design for Dallas Practice Site / Tough Turtle Turf Joined Forces with Spread the Word Nevada to Promote Early Childhood Literacy / AHF Products Announces Acquisition of Two West Virginia Sawmills
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 4, 2024
- Unika Vaev Introduces its Latest Acoustic Product Collection in Collaboration with Abstracta - Since 1975, Unika Vaev has established itself with expansive collections of Decorative Acoustic sound absorbing products. Sustainability within design is key to both product lines and has been since the company's founding.
- Groupe Lacasse Launches New Cube 300 Additions - With an expanded range of storage elements in our modular lounge collection, Cube 300 opens a world of possibilities for designers and clients alike.
- Stephen Says - "What's The Best Job You Ever Had?!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Everybody has a favorite job. My favorite job was one of my first jobs which was at #Haworth in sales, which you've read about in this column many times.
- Poltrona Frau Unveils New Flagship Store On Madison Avenue In New York - Designed by AMDL CIRCLE led by Michele Delucchi, the store is conceived as a dynamic space that encourages interaction and creativity.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: WCS Announces Launch of MVP Phase of CPQ Product Configurator for Loftwall, Setting New Standards in Office Furniture Customization - The MVP phase of WCS CPQ showcases a robust CPQ engine equipped with advanced functionalities, including the ability to save and share quotes, generate detailed reports, receive instant notifications, generate multi-product quotes, and utilize a shipping calculator.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: J+J Flooring Expands Palette of Imaginative Carpet Tile with Artistic Elements - "With our latest manufacturing technology, we've been able to achieve more flexibility in design and patterning."
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Designtex Appoints New President - "I am honored and excited to join Designtex and this distinguished team. I look forward to collaborating with each and every person at the company as we continue to foster growth and delight our customers through excellence, sustainability and impactful design."
- UPFRONT: Humanscale Highlights New Opportunities to Optimize Ergonomics in Hybrid Workspaces with its Latest Whitepaper - Remote workers' setups are not optimized for healthy work, with 22.9% of respondents using a laptop as their sole device without any external screen.
- UPCOMING EVENT: Vitra Salon Series at 1014 | Office Materials - Tuesday, April 9, 2024 | 6:00-8:00 PM Eastern | Join 1014 & Vitra for a conversation that seeks to explore these questions around embodied carbon, material sourcing, and the implications for designing today's workplaces.
- Team of Celebrated Designers Launch Industrial and Digital Design Studio Heirloom - Founded by Jack Godfrey Wood, Harc Lee, Tate Sager, and Andy Furner, Heirloom is already working on major design initiatives for leading global brands.
- Steelcase Think Gets a Glow Up to Meet Needs of the Modern, Hybrid Worker - While continuing to provide award-winning ergonomics and comfort, the chair's new finishes and upholstery details infuse added style wherever work happens.
- Maharam Supports Entryways: Nontsikelelo Mutiti at Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania - The installation features the printed ironwork and braid motifs on a gradient background, with gold barrettes arranged at an exaggerated scale throughout the pattern.
- Impacts Of Extreme Weather On Interior Design Examined In New Research - In response to the growing body of knowledge on the impact of materials on indoor air quality and human health, new rating systems, product declarations statements, protocols and regulations have been introduced.
- Encore Unveils Sunny Collection, Reminiscent of West Coast Culture - With its playful, warm design, Sunny shines bright in libraries, lobbies, alcoves, collaborative areas, patient spaces, community centers or multi-family environments.
- EDmarket Seeking New Class of NexGen Rising Stars - EDmarket's NexGen Rising Stars Awards recognition program highlights outstanding young professionals 40 and under through December 31, 2024 for their passion, creativity, and contributions to how pedagogy, space, and technology impact students and teachers.
- Thinkspace Enhances Sales Team With Two Dynamic Additions - "In what I consider the dawn of a new era—the office revolution—Thinkspace stands at the forefront of transforming workspaces."
- Innerscene Launches Circadian Sky - Illuminating Wellness with New Innovative Solution - Whether it's an office, educational institution, hospitality setting or healthcare environment, Innerscene can enhance the occupants' experience by providing a visual connection to nature and sunlight.
- Aceray Introduces Tana: a Modern Seating Line of Tailored Style, Customization and Comfort - At the heart of Tana's sleek, practical design is high-density injection-molded foam for comfort and durability.
- markilux Unveils Pop-Art Edition Fabric Collection for Vibrant Outdoor Living - With over 50 years of industry knowledge, markilux stands out for its innovative approach and excellence in awning fabric production.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is Looking for a Territory Sales Representative! | This candidate will work to promote our products by working with our sales team as well as directly with manufacturers, dealers and designers in the commercial and contract furniture industry. Read more on page 142.
- PLACES - Korn Ferry Offices – Singapore | Company culture and social capital are the invisible threads that weave organisations together, especially important in today's era of remote working and hybrid offices.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Lucia Kortscheff Joins Arconas as Global Account Manager / Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of Florida / Ware Malcomb Names Shannon Robinson Studio Manager, Interior Architecture & Design in Ottawa Office / Original BTC Unveils Iconic 1994 Hector Pleat Line in New Finish / IIDA NY Leaders Breakfast / NeoCon Programming Registration Now Open
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 28, 2024
- Hightower Collaborates with Designer Anne Boysen on Toward Collection - After initially connecting through a mutual acquaintance, Boysen and Hightower CEO Natalie Hartkopf met and soon realized they both shared a vision for quality craftsmanship, sustainability, and products that stand the test of time.
- Stephen Says - "Sales Goal Too High? Then Quit!" - by Stephen Viscusi - As for the rest of you, the reason it's a great time to look for a new job is because candidates continue to control the market in 2024- at least so for now - but this will not last.
- Studio Other Serves as Key Creative Force in Hines' 2023 Award-Winning West Edge Project - One of the standout features of Studio Other's contribution to West Edge is the custom live-edge table sourced from Portland, Oregon. The team selected a raw live-edge slab from a 100-year-old log salvaged from a family farm.
- Form Furniture Launches with The Stash Series - A collection of sleek, functional, storage solutions guaranteed to make (work)life uncomplicated.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Indiana Furniture Set to Open New Chicago Design Studio at NeoCon 2024 - The company will remain on the THE MART's tenth floor, moving down the hall to a space positioned on the exterior of the building at Suite 1042.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Same Iconic Design, Just Smaller: Carl Hansen Unveils the Children's Wishbone Chair - Carl Hansen & Søn presents the first edition of Hans J. Wegner's Wishbone Chair for Children. The new CH24 Children's Wishbone Chair will be launched on April 2nd, in celebration of Hans J. Wegner's 110th birthday.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Keilhauer Welcomes New Vice President of IT & Facilities - Tariq Jamal is the first to hold this position at Keilhauer, focusing on Enterprise Technology, Digital Shared Services, and other related duties.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Nevers Welcomes Mackenzie Weldon as National Accounts Manager - Mackenzie brings with her a wealth of sales experience and expertise in the A&D market, making her a valuable addition to the Nevers team.
- UPFRONT: The Ergonomic Benefits of Footrockers, Highlighted by Humanscale's FR500 - By enabling a gentle rocking motion, it activates lower leg muscles, boosting circulation and reducing the risks associated with prolonged sitting.
- UPCOMING EVENT: IIDA NY Hosts Two Industry Icons for Pioneering Design Series - IIDA NY's Pioneering Design Series provides a transformative platform for cultivating visionary perspectives and fostering innovation within the interior design industry.
- RECENT EVENT: The New Jersey Chapter of ASID's Student & Emerging Professionals Week Provided Education, Inspiration and A Forum for Collaboration - The week began with Samuelson Furniture, where President Lawrence Chalfin and EVP Michael Chalfin led a captivating tour through their expansive Paterson facility.
- 3form Elements Expands Acoustic Offerings With Hush Stack - Plush, dimensional wall-mounted installations dampen sound with cutting-edge curved patterns.
- Vitra Design Museum: Transform! Designing the Future of Energy - All forms of energy production, distribution and storage have a spatial footprint, whether through the extraction of the required raw materials, for the construction and operation of buildings for generating or transforming power, or for the infrastructure needed to store and distribute energy.
- MillerKnoll Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results - For the third quarter, the Americas Contract segment posted net sales totaling $441.1 million, down 9.0% year-over-year on a reported basis.
- Configura Announces New Head of Global User Community - "Her extensive background in the commercial interiors industry, coupled with her profound understanding of our diverse line of products and users, makes her the perfect fit to lead our community engagement initiatives."
- BDB Construction Enterprise Revitalizes Bronx Community with New Mixed-Use Church Complex - Industrial structure adapted for LaGree Baptist Church reimagines the 1925 brick-clad building as a spiritual and commercial hub with a community center and high-tech sanctuary.
- Richwood Industries Continues Sustainability Journey and Achieves Formaldehyde Free Certification - Panel manufacturers need products that meet growing sustainability standards and PolyBak offers these benefits to the industry.
- PurOptima Launches Edge Affinity Plus Glass Doors in the U.S. - Redefining soundproofing and sustainability for today's workspaces.
- CIFF Guangzhou 2024: Office & Commercial Space and CIFM/interzum Guangzhou 2024 to open soon, further renewed and expanded - The 53rd China International Furniture Fair (CIFF Guangzhou), the world's largest furniture exhibition renowned for its comprehensive scope and industry influence, successfully concluded its first phase dedicated to the residential sector on March 21st.
- Allsteel Launches Podcast and Magazine Spotlighting Workplace Innovation and Design - Step into the dynamic universe of design, innovation, and the harmonious blend of work and life with 'Tell Me More,' proudly presented by Allsteel.
- Nemo Tile + Stone Introduces Dylan, a Metal-Inspired Porcelain Tile Collection - The interplay of gloss and satin, created by combining the enamel, gives Dylan a visual movement that enriches any space and aesthetic.
- The Salone del Mobile.Milano, "dressed" by Artificial Intelligence, is travelling on two iconic trams, through 350 metro stations and trains, and taking off in 13 airports, from Milan to Rome. - It is no coincidence that the communication campaign – and the Salone del Mobile with it – has leapt onto trams, buses and metros, and can be found in airports, being constantly captured and read while on the move.
- Mayer Fabrics Introduces the SEAQUAL Collection: Denali, Leoni, Serene, & Tranquility - SEAQUAL INITIATIVE works with ocean clean-up programs to remove marine litter.
- New In Classifieds - Sales Manager - Corporate Interior Systems | We are seeking a motivated and experienced commercial furniture and interiors Sales Manager to lead our sales team and drive business growth. Read more on page 144.
- PLACES - Smartlynx Airlines Offices – Vilnius | Materials that are inseparable from aviation were chosen for the office interior and furniture: stainless steel, aluminum and a complete innovation in Lithuania – aluminum foam panels.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Fellowes Awarded Agreement with Sourcewell / Mayer Fabrics Welcomes The Joyner Group to the Mississippi and Louisiana Territories / TPG Architecture Promotes Brian Critzman to Retail Studio Director / Allseating Launches CET Interiors Extension / Arper's Newest Collaboration: Introducing the Lepal Armchair by Doshi Levien / Threespine Core Technology Sees Soaring Popularity in North American Cabinetry Market / Lodes Launches its Latest Lighting Solution, Random Clouds / Via Seating Proudly Partners with The Joyner Group / Ware Malcomb Leader Jimena Fernandez Navarra Named CREW Mexico City Chapter President
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 21, 2024
- A Vibrant NeoCon 2024 Takes Shape - Immersive New and Expanded Showrooms, Exciting 7th Floor Additions, and More
- How They Did It: A New Era of the Office with Framery Smart Pods - Our new Framery smart pods are redefining the modern office through technology, and re-engineering the way we work.
- Stephen Says - "...Salone Part Two!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Remember, Salone is one of the largest trade fairs and can be overwhelming, so ask anyone you know who has attended in the past, hearing the experience of people who have gone is most helpful.
- Muuto Opens Tokyo Flagship Store - In 2018, the brand was acquired by Knoll, later becoming Millerknoll.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Teknion Enters Into A Strategic Partnership With British Furniture Brand Modus - The partnership unites two brands each with a distinct design heritage and strong sustainability drive. This investment in Modus expands Teknion's future global portfolio of social and collaborative products while supporting the Modus international growth plan.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Spacestor Launches Portals Huddle, a Customizable, Private Collaboration Space - As part of Spacestor's flexible Portals family, Portals Huddle provides a private collaboration hotspot with huge design choice.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Lori Klem will Take the Helm as Indiana Furniture's CFO/Vice President of Finance - Klem will focus on managing the financial actions of the company and delivering a comprehensive, strategic financial vision that will help drive Indiana Furniture's future growth and success.
- New From Vitra: Barber Osgerby's Mikado Chair and Julie Richoz's Color Fame Mirrors - Mikado is available as an armchair – with the subtle suggestion of armrests – or as a side chair, and was Developed by Vitra in Switzerland.
- Cadigan Accepts New Role as Artcobell Chief Development Officer - With a commitment to quality, durability and student-centered design, Artcobell offers a wide range of products designed to enhance the learning environment and support the needs of educators and students alike.
- UPFRONT: HON Announces the Launch of the 2024 HON Collection Catalog - With an emphasis on HON's vertical markets—Business, Education, Healthcare, Government, and the HON NOW Quickship program—the 2024 HON Collection is a comprehensive resource to help progressive organizations design intuitive, supportive environments for their employees.
- UPCOMING EVENT: Register Today for BIFMA Accredited CEU: Why Standards Matter - This course provides knowledge to the A&D community, facility managers, building owners, end users, and manufacturers about BIFMA's mission and work.
- Fellowes Walls and Workspace Product Now Available Through Equalis Group Contract - Each program in the growing portfolio provides members with contracting compliance and the ability to configure the solution that best meets their individual needs while achieving the lowest Total Cost of Ownership.
- MillerKnoll Earns Gold Medal Rating From EcoVadis - This Global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) accolade places the company in the top five percent of companies rated in the past year.
- Steelcase Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2024 Results - Orders grew 4% compared to prior year driven by 8% growth in the Americas.
- Tarkett's 2023 CSR Report Highlights Progress In Climate Ambition, Circular Economy and Support to People & Communities - Coping with the most stringent world standards in terms of indoor air quality, 99% of their flooring solutions have low volatile organic compounds emission levels, which is ten times lower than the strictest world standards.
- Athena - Scalable Lighting Control for Commercial Spaces by Lutron - The Athena system adds innovative new light and shade day-synchronization to projects of any size.
- The Good Plastic Company Appoints New Talent to Drive Strategic North American Expansion - "We are pleased to have Diane and Linda guide us in this pivotal moment for The Good Plastic Company."
- New In Classifieds - Sales Account Manager | Environments at Work | This position identifies prospective customers, generates leads, and lands new business opportunities; oversees all aspects of an account's business; responsible for all project and daily work order activities and full customer satisfaction for all accounts. Read more on page 106.
- PLACES - China Literature Offices – Shanghai | With tea break and Collaboration Areas overlooking the Huangpu River, they foster easy and impromptu collaboration among employees at all times.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - UP7 and Verdure-X Are Now Available from Sunon / Indiana Furniture Announces Move to New Corporate Headquarters / Craig Baker Joins ERG International as Chief Operations Officer / Woolpert Promotes Chief Corporate Development Officer Neil Churman to President / Diana Revkin, IIDA, Joins Artisan Stoneworks as VP of Strategy, Marketing and Business Development / Ware Malcomb Announces Promotion of Akanksha Singh to Studio Manager, Science & Technology in Pleasanton, CA / BRC Group Welcomes Two New Regional Sales Directors / Aceray Unveils the Polka Collection — a Fusion of Retro Charm and Modern Sophistication
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 14, 2024
- HBF Celebrates Women's History Month with Collab-HER-ation Panel - The panel agreed that everything's connected—in one way or another—to propelling great leadership, and collectively, they noted several key elements such as building a good team, fostering partnerships and creativity, having a collective vision and having fun, and leading with compassion.
- Sabbia Launch: New Chair from Groupe Lacasse - Sabbia's compact and elegant design is an instant eye-catcher, adding a touch of sophistication to any workspace. Its distinctively modern look makes it the ideal choice for those who appreciate aesthetics without compromising functionality.
- Stephen Says - "Unemployed for Too Long? Heres Why." - by Stephen Viscusi - Without knowing anything about you, and as you said, thinking in broad strokes, here are a couple of consistent issues that I see with people who are unemployed for longer than most.
- Evolution Design: PULS Vario Offices - A workplace immersed in vibrant colors.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Landscape Forms Announces New Partnership with Leading School Furniture Company, Smith System - "Our partnership with Landscape Forms facilitates teaching outside. Which is a thrilling opportunity for students to connect with where they live, to spark curiosity, and to uncover different ways to learn."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: New from Flos - Bilboquet - The playful aspect of Bilboquet is also central in the choice of the three-color palette, sage, tomato and linen, which characterize not only the body of the lamp, but also the cable and plug, resulting in a body with consistent aesthetics.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Office Environments & Services Announces Madelen Salter as Market President - "Madelen has been instrumental in the growth and success of Office Environments & Services this past year, and we are excited for her to lead us into the future."
- UPFRONT: Celebrating Global Recycling Day: Humanscale Leads in Sustainability - At the heart of Humanscale's philosophy is the principle of achieving more with less.
- UPCOMING EVENT: Steelcase Webinar Mar. 19: Understanding Universal Design for Learning - On March 19 at noon ET, join Steelcase and our panel of experts to learn how the Universal Design for Learning framework can address barriers, improve the learning experience for all students and provide inspiration for the design of learning spaces.
- KFI Studios Introduces Alden Table with Wood Top - With its clean, minimalist design, Alden effortlessly blends into various styles and spaces, from a relaxed lounge to a dynamic collaborative zone to a welcoming lobby area.
- CIFF Guangzhou 2024: China International Furniture Fair Announces Record-breaking Scale and Focus on Design, Global Trade, and Full Supply Chain - China International Furniture Fair (CIFF Guangzhou), the world's largest furniture exhibition, unveils its vision for the upcoming edition, offering a unique opportunity to see the latest design trends, connect with industry professionals from all over the world and discover innovative products from the entire furniture supply chain.
- Tangram Interiors Partners With Neiman Marcus Group to Create Innovative Corporate Hub in Dallas - Throughout the hub, five associate lounges provide opportunities for comfortable and informal collaboration, each celebrating iconic Neiman Marcus store locations with unique aesthetics and art pieces.
- Clear Design Debuts The Campano Collection - The luxurious Campano Collection highlights the wood's natural characteristics through a minimal finishing process to protect and preserve its storytelling beauty and create inviting workspaces for teams and guests.
- Studio TK is a Winner of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2024 - This Prestigious Win in the Film/Video Category is a Testament to Creative Excellence
- Unika Vaev Introduces its latest Acoustic Product in Collaboration with Unika Vaev Studios - Since 1975, Unika Vaev has established itself with expansive collections of Decorative Acoustic sound absorbing products.
- Edelman Introduces Helm, Oath and Poem by Ilse Crawford - Ilse Crawford is a designer, educator, creative director, and founder of Studioilse who lives and works in London.
- Armadillo Celebrates People, Planet and Philanthropy - During B-Corp Month Armadillo actively supports causes aligned with its mission to positively impact both people and the planet.
- Nemo Tile + Stone Introduces Dylan, a Metal-Inspired Porcelain Tile Collection - The interplay of gloss and satin, created by combining the enamel, gives Dylan a visual movement that enriches any space and aesthetic.
- Ware Malcomb Tops $1 Million in Charitable Contributions to United Way - Employee Philanthropy Program WM Community Has Partnered with Organization for 24 Years
- Enhanced Customer Experience with Improved Service for Memo Sample Orders - Before these enhancements, orders were only shipped until 2:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday.
- New In Classifieds - Sales Account Manager | Environments at Work | This position identifies prospective customers, generates leads, and lands new business opportunities; oversees all aspects of an account's business; responsible for all project and daily work order activities and full customer satisfaction for all accounts. Read more on page 126.
- PLACES - Licious Offices – Bengaluru | The heart of the space, resembling a European Fish Market, serves as a social hub and content creation platform.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Aceray Debuts Latest Catalog of Hospitality and Contract Furniture / Soake Pools Launches Dedicated Cold Plunge / USAI Lighting Introduces The Littletwos / From the Beach to the Boardroom: Unispace's 'Art for Impact' Program Partners with NGO to Turn 50,000 Ocean Plastic Bags into Office Art / Now Shipping Vooom™: Via Seating's Most Anticipated Release / Teknion's Chronicle: Accommodating Workplace Personalization with A Natural Base
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 7, 2024
- Breaking News: After 50 Years in Chicago's Merchandise Mart, Steelcase Set to Relocate Showroom to Fulton Market - Steelcase will take over the showroom space that has been occupied for several years by Knoll.
- Stephen Says - "He's A Nice Guy But He's Just Not A Big Producer" - by Stephen Viscusi - I have so many clients who will not pull the trigger on a hire because, as much as they like the candidate, they are concerned that they may not see immediate revenue gains from the hire. Which I think is a big mistake.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Kimball International Announces Fourth Season of the Alternative Design Podcast - From reimagining traditional classroom spaces to embracing emerging technologies, season four offers valuable insights for educators, designers, and anyone passionate about the future of learning.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Tinnef Makes Plastic Look Fantastic - Entirely fashioned from plastic waste, the tabletop's engineering is an exceptional advancement in environmental innovation.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Thinkspace Elevates Marketing Team, Welcoming Veteran Leader and Dynamic New Talent - Having collaborated with Thinkspace in a consultant capacity over the past year, Erin Torres brings a wealth of experience to her new position.
- UPFRONT: Discover The Hidden History of Women in Design, Hosted by Humanscale for Women's History Month - This webinar is a chance to delve into the stories of visionary women whose creativity and innovation have shaped the industry.
- UPCOMING EVENT: Bloom Your Brand with IIDA NY - Organized by IIDA NY's LMNOP committee, will offer attendees an opportunity to learn about the importance of a thoughtful online presence for professional growth.
- AIS Elevates Four Sales Professionals at Annual Sales Meeting - Exceptional sales and service leads to promotions to the positions of vice president, director, and two senior level sales reps.
- Case Study: Tangram Interiors Transforms Wpromote's Los Angeles Headquarters - The end result is a dynamic, fun, and colorful workspace that allows Wpromote employees to work seamlessly from any corner of the office.
- JSI Announces Entry to Healthcare Market with JSI Health – A Continued Journey of Purpose for People - This is how we make a difference. This is the attitude that fuels us. To inspire people to limitless possibilities.
- Best of NeoCon 2024 Submissions Now Open - The Juried Awards Program to Honor Innovation, Sustainability & Business Impact.
- Kirei Introduces Five New PET Colors - The New Color Offerings Were Thoughtfully Selected to Expand Design Possibilities and Inspire Delight
- Studio Other Innovates Furniture Design for New L.A. Shamrock Capital Office - Studio Other's biggest challenge was figuring out how to deliver a workstation that spatially fit in the private office space while still comfortably housing multiple people and laptops.
- DARRAN Launches New Sound Absorbing Screen Collection - Abacus utilizes innovative PET technology to absorb and dampen sound waves, reducing ambient noise and creating quieter, more private zones within open spaces.
- Michael Graves Architecture Announces Acquisition of Studio Four Design - The merger further enhances the firm's presence across sectors, fostering impactful, human-centric design and collaborative synergy.
- 3form Launches Digital Tools to Simplify the Spec + Ordering Process - 3form's commitment to simplifying work for designers and contractors ensures this is just the beginning.
- Interior Designers in Nebraska Pass Historic Practice Rights Legislation - New Law is the Latest in a Wave of Collaborative Industry Efforts
- Destination: Workstation. Introducing Zo Office from Watson Furniture - Perhaps the most noteworthy element of Watson's latest product launch is what Zo Office, which is defined by the relationship between its workstation and storage, implies.
- Hendrick Architecture and Design Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence - As Hendrick commemorates this significant milestone, its leadership team extends heartfelt thanks to its business partners and dedicated staff, acknowledging their pivotal role in the firm's enduring success.
- Institutional Associates Lands NDI Office Furniture, Adds Experienced Talent to Growing Team - Nashville-based giant, and one of the premier independent distributors in the office furniture industry, NDI names IAI a rep group of record as industry veteran Joe Perry partners with IAI.
- New In Classifieds - Regional Sales Manager - MergeWorks | MergeWorks is an ancillary furniture manufacturer seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Regional Sales Manager to work with our Independent Rep organization in the eastern half of the US. Read more on page 114.
- PLACES - QoQa Offices – Lausanne, Switzerland | This vibrant and evolving campus brings life and energy to more than 200 staff, driving change and encouraging interaction between teams, visitors, and partners.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Haworth Dealers Named Best in Class / Allsteel Announces Textile Partnership with Kvadrat / Perkins&Will Welcomes Industry Leader to Texas Corporate, Commercial and Civic, Cultural Practices / FCi Companies Welcomes Jason Fredrickson as Vice President of Sales / Lesro Welcomes New Manufacturer Representative / Tangram Interiors Promotes Lora Apodaca to Director of Business Development / Serge Ferrari Group Introduces Soltis Loop® Sunmate to North American Market / HON Partners with Mayer Fabrics to Introduce 110 New Colorways / QUORUM Multiconference Is Now Available On CET Designer / Allseating Expands Tuck and Exchange Collections with New Back Options
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 29, 2024
- DARRAN Furniture Unveils "Plus" – A Modular Lounge Collection Where Design Meets Comfort - The Plus Modular Collection is now available for purchase through Dealers and Sales Representatives.
- Shaw Contract Launches Creative Zone Carpet Tile Collection - New Collection from Global Flooring Leader Introduced to Enhance Learning Spaces
- Stephen Says - "Why Does My Company's CEO Keep Disappearing?" - by Stephen Viscusi - As far as your question and your position – if it were me, I would stay put. Chaos in the company makes every steady employee more valuable to the owners.
- CIFM/interzum Guangzhou 2024: The Leading Trade Fair for Machinery, Materials, and Components for the Furniture Industry - The largest exhibition platform dedicated to the furniture manufacturing industry will return to the stage revamped and further expanded during the second phase of the 53rd CIFF Guangzhou, from March 28 to 31, in conjunction with Office Furniture and Commercial Spaces.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Kimball International's Dallas Showroom Earns WELL Certified Platinum Distinction - Kimball International's corporate headquarters, located in Jasper, Indiana, is also WELL Platinum certified and they are pursuing certification for other showroom locations nationwide.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Enhancing Workspaces with Humanscale's Monitor Arms and Docking Technology - These products from Humanscale offer a comprehensive approach to creating efficient, comfortable, and sustainable work environments.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: BOS Orlando Promotes Angel Shawver To Executive Vice President - With over 16 years of experience, Angel's expertise in corporate accounts has earned her the reputation of being one of the best in the business.
- UPFRONT: Landscape Forms Enters a Partnership with the International Downtown Association - Landscape Forms has long recognized the vital role downtowns play in the health of a region and the importance of enhancing the human experience through placemaking.
- UPCOMING EVENT: Vitra Announces Spring Events in NY; Launch with Smart Design on March 12th - Hosted by Vitra and partners at venues across the city as Vitra gears up to launch a new showroom, the events bring together experts to illuminate core facets of the design industry today, including common issues facing emerging professionals growing their practices.
- Davis Revitalizes its New York Showroom with a Stunning Renovation - Meticulously detailed, the showroom mirrors the allure of boutique hotels, offering a sensory journey through sumptuous materials and captivating displays.
- Carnegie Unveils The Go-To Collection: A Sustainable Revolution In Performance Fabrics - Innovative Collection Celebrates Biobased Xorel's 10-Year Milestone and Introduces Evolved Strie Line as Part of a Curated Selection of Performance Textiles.
- Tarkett Announces New Johnsonite Color of the Year Program - "When we look back into our past, we see a world that feels dependable, familiar. We find comfort in memories and a sense of connection—the same feelings we crave in our present day," said Janette Murray, Tarkett senior design manager.
- Hightower Releases 2023 Impact Report to Highlight Progress, Best Practices - Much like the rest of the world, Hightower has changed greatly over the years.
- LRS Architects Promotes Six Designers to Associate and Senior Associate Levels - "Some of these individuals have been with the firm for a decade or more, and all of them have demonstrated a deep commitment to the success of their clients, projects, and teams."
- Keilhauer Introduces the Toile Partner Card - The Toile textile family is the sixth partner card between the North American furniture manufacturer and LDI Interiors.
- Jennie Tatum Joins Henricksen as Vice President, Business Development - Jennie will help grow Henricksen's business in the Tennessee market.
- Fräsch Expands its Award-Winning STRATAWOOD Collection - Combine the high-performing acoustical capabilities of PET felt with the natural and pleasing aesthetic of wood. Create a linear design that can carry from ceiling to wall. Installation is a snap – glue or screw directly to any existing ceiling or wall.
- Stance Healthcare Launches Lotus Casegoods Collection - A Fusion of Design, Functionality, and Safety
- Herman Miller Expands Offering of Archival Posters with Five New Designs - Each graphic was visionary and bold for its time, representing the design values Herman Miller leaned into when planning its new brand identity.
- Momentum Launches Cutting-Edge AI Text & Image Search Tool - In a world where AI often sparks concerns about its impact on creativity, Momentum is rewriting the narrative. They're not just embracing AI; they're harnessing its potential to amplify the creative process, turning it from a potential threat into a designer's ultimate ally.
- DARRAN Furniture Unveils "Six" – A Collection of Thoughtful and Considered Occasional Tables that are Unexpected and Delightful - This collection incorporates a wide range of materials and finishes.
- Interface Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results - "Strong fourth quarter performance rounded out a solid year, reinforcing our confidence that our strategy is working."
- Architecture/Arts Leader and Activist to Lead Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation - BWAF names Tizziana Baldenebro new executive director — high-profile curator of U.S. Pavilion and national arts nonprofit leader takes critical role elevating women in AEC field.
- New In Classifieds - Regional Sales Manager - MergeWorks | MergeWorks is an ancillary furniture manufacturer seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Regional Sales Manager to work with our Independent Rep organization in the eastern half of the US. Read more on page 122.
- PLACES - L'Oréal Offices – Bogota | The operational area was developed across the 8th, 9th and 10th floors, while the academy took up a store space on the first level.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Room & Board Hires Jackie Schneider as the Room & Board for Business Manager / Dante Ercoli Joins Independent Suppliers Group as EPIC Business Essentials Managing Director / 2024 ECLPS Registration Now Open / Aceray Introduces Prosa — a New Collection of Chairs / Jamie Stern Announces Call for Entries to 2nd Annual Furniture Design Contest / Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet, Leather & Fabric Announces New Sales Representatives / Introducing Carousel: an Outdoor/Indoor Furniture Collection that Reinterprets Woven Textures / IFDAEF Scholarship Program Deadline is March 30
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 22, 2024
- Designtex Launches New Collection in Partnership with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation - Material innovation giant, Designtex, partners with the iconic educational and community foundation to release Elemental Wright, a materials collection inspired by continual learning, iteration and nature.
- Stephen Says - "I Was Bamboozled By a Smooth-Talking Boss, and Now I Have a Horrible Job!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Whenever you are interviewing or approached about a job, and it seems too good to be true, it usually is.
- HON SoCo: Rounding Out Comfort and Connection - Designed to inspire harmonious connections and cultivate focused work environments, HON SoCo sparks creativity and engagement.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Haworth Group Reaches New Milestone in 2023 - The Haworth Group reported 2023 sales of $2.57 billion, an approximate 3% increase compared to 2022. The company has grown 16% since 2019.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Three H Enters an Exciting New Phase of Growth With Three Strategic Hires - These new hires bring a collective wealth of expertise that will help to accelerate the company's growth trajectory.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: KI Introduces the Tributaire Collection - Tributaire reflects KI's commitment to sustainability through its eco-friendly design, manufacturing, and material selection.
- UPFRONT: Configura Elevates Commercial Interiors Design with CET 14.5 Minor Release Update - With seamless collaboration central to the functionality of CET, the new features included in 14.5 Minor support greater tracking of design iterations and cross-team functionality.
- ULTRAFABRICS Announces a Color Refresh of its Classic Ultraleather Collection - Additionally, by next year, all Ultrafabrics collections will include rapidly renewable and/or recycled ingredients.
- UPCOMING EVENT: Crafting the Future of Workspaces: Workspace Design Show London - The UK's leading workspace interiors exhibition is set to take place from February 27 – 28 at the Business Design Centre in London.
- FilzFelt Launches Mosaik, a Custom Acoustic Wall Tile, With Five Designs by Kelly Harris Smith - All five designs are completely customizable using any of the more than ninety colors of 100% pure wool felt available from FilzFelt.
- Humanscale Highlights New and Hero Products at Stockholm Furniture Fair - The fair served as a platform for Humanscale to highlight its broader range of ergonomic solutions.
- Artcobell Names Kevin Smith as President - Rick Parker, immediate past president of Artcobell, will continue to serve as an advisor to the company.
- HNI Corporation Reports Earnings for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 - The company made outstanding progress in 2023 and finished the year on a strong note, delivering greater than 50% earnings growth in Q4.
- Fellowes Reveals Alarming Disparities in Air Quality Prioritization Across American K-12 Schools - Survey Unveils Urgent Need for Enhanced Air Quality Solutions.
- The Good Plastic Company Expands Into North America With Revolutionary Polygood Material - Polygood is a range of 100% recycled and recyclable plastic panels that can be used to create modern-looking and environmentally-conscious furniture and interior or exterior design elements.
- Most Modest Launches New Accessory Collection Designed for Hybrid Work Environments - Acquired by Grand Haven-based LightCorp in 2019, Most Modest accessories specialize in craft-inspired technology goods that pull from a deep interest in behavior and a passion for making things that bring us closer to each other and our physical environments.
- Carl Hansen Introduces Studio CHS: Elevating Custom Furniture in the US - With roots in danish design and craftsmanship, Carl Hansen & Son now presents Studio CHS; a new business unit established to produce customized furniture for hotels, restaurants, and offices. In close partnership, customers all over the world now have the opportunity to create truly unique furniture.
- Eileen Jones, Award-Winning Designer of Branded Environments, Announces Retirement - Keith Curtis to take on firmwide branded environments practice leader role; Yvette Fevurly to lead the practice for the Chicago studio.
- DIRTT Reports Fourth Quarter 2023 Financial Results - Revenue of $50.9 million, up 20% compared to the prior year period, representing the Company's highest revenue quarter since 2019.
- New In Classifieds - Regional Sales Manager - MergeWorks | MergeWorks is an ancillary furniture manufacturer seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Regional Sales Manager to work with our Independent Rep organization in the eastern half of the US. Read more on page 112.
- PLACES - Zchwantech Offices – Petaling Jaya | Dedicated to creating a state-of-the-art office space, this project seeks to harmonize contemporary aesthetics with technological innovation.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Groupe Lacasse Canadian Sales Team Appointment of Julia Rosen - New Business Development Director – Healthcare Canada / Steelcase Earns Top Score in Industry for Climate Change Disclosure From CDP / Humanscale Welcomes Justin Alejandro Lladoc as the New Head of APAC Marketing / EDmarket Introduces Bold Women Collective to Support Female Leadership/Networking / Enrique Vela Joins V Starr as its New Firm Principal / JCJ Architecture Announces Appointment of Director of Sustainability / Submissions Now Open for ASID's Awards
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 15, 2024
- 9to5 Seating Launches Adaptable New Task Chair HÅG Tion - Innovative chair one of the most environmentally responsible choices in the market.
- Stephen Says - "Sales Reps Dating Sales People?" - by Stephen Viscusi - When I worked for Haworth, for example, our showroom manager ultimately married one of the reps and they are still happily married 25 years later.
- Sustainability Meets Commercial Performance in Momentum's New Finnegan Wools Collection - The collection features three distinct constructions — Shire, Chekov and its namesake Finnegan — that highlight wool's most impressive natural attributes of longevity, durability, and sustainability to create a quietly luxurious product for all interiors.
- Now Available: KI Sonrisa Lounge Furniture - From the Spanish language meaning "smile," Sonrisa lounge furniture brings a casual comfort to any space.
- The New Frontier of the Salone del Mobile.Milano: To be an Open Ecosystem and Experience Capable of Connecting and Offering a Great Many Visions of the Future to the Design Community - Evolution and innovation are the key words for the 62nd edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano, which from a strictly trade fair event is increasingly becoming an inclusive, value-based, responsible context and fabric, generating relationships, narratives and projects relevant to the design community all year round.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Landscape Forms Celebrates 27 Design Awards and Recognitions in 2023 - Landscape Forms celebrates another highly-awarded year in 2023, receiving 27 design awards and recognitions from leading industry organizations and publications.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Treefrog Continues 20th Anniversary Celebration with Introduction of Designer Veneers - Treefrog Veneer is turning 20. To celebrate, the company has revamped its entire collection, with the addition of 11 new prefinished woods including seven new Designer Veneers.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Lesro Recognizes Their 2023 Rep of the Year - With a territory that extends from Washington State and Oregon, eastward to include Idaho and Montana, the entire H4 team has the respect of the A&D and dealer community and provides the service levels our customers have come to expect from a Lesro representative firm.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Creative Office Resources Elevates Candice Gould and Holyn Nickerson to Managing Principals, Driving Growth and Operational Excellence - "Candice and Holyn's promotions underscore our commitment to excellence across all facets of our organization."
- New from Flos: My Circuit - Inspired by Anastassiades's childhood toy cars and their looped tracks, My Circuit is distinguished by its functional, yet elegant approach to lighting, perfectly complementing commercial interior spaces.
- Keilhauer's Reimagined NYC Showroom Invites Co-Working, Collaboration, and Celebration - The fully renovated showroom is a haven for creativity and conversation in the New York Design Center.
- UPFRONT: Join Humanscale's Upcoming Webinar: Strategies and Tips for Healthier Hybrid Work - Hybrid work challenges traditional workspace setups by requiring flexibility to accommodate both remote and in-office tasks.
- NaughtOne Moves into its New, Self-Designed Headquarters in Harrogate, UK - "From the very beginning I wanted it to feel like an inspiring, beautifully interior designed space, like a destination rather than an office," said NaughtOne Managing Director Nadean McNaught.
- FLOR Launches Area Rug Collaboration with Fashion Designer Trina Turk - Trina Turk X FLOR Collection Takes Inspiration from Ready-to-Wear Fashion Brand's Archival Prints and Versatile Patterns. The collection brings together two brands committed to supporting their customers and creating beautiful and on-trend concepts.
- KFI Studios' Juna Outdoor Collection Ready for Spring - Juna is available in white and black, two classic colors to complement many outdoor spaces.
- IIDA NY Enlists Suzanne Tick for Pioneering Design Series - The Pioneering Design Series showcases the power of collaboration in design, which seeks to expand perceptions, open discussion and bring innovative ideas to our community.
- DIRTT Announces Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2023 Financial Results - Full year 2023 revenue is expected to be approximately $181.9 million, an increase of $9.8 million or 6% from $172.2 million in 2022.
- The End of an Era: The Rise and Fall of Trendway Corporation - Fellowes will continue to serve the contract furniture industry with its full line of monitor arms, power solutions, height adjustable tables, desktop lighting, keyboard solutions, organizational products, networked air purification, air quality monitoring and modular walls.
- CIFF Guangzhou 2024: Office and Commercial Space, The World's Largest Furniture Platform for the Tertiary Sector - Taking place from March 28th to 31st, the second phase of the 53rd CIFF Guangzhou will focus on furniture for workplaces and commercial spaces and will be complemented by CIFM/interzum Guangzhou, dedicated to materials, components, and machinery for the furniture industry.
- Mohawk Industries Reports Q4 Results - "Our fourth quarter results were ahead of our expectations, with benefits from cost containment, productivity and lower input costs."
- New In Classifieds - Regional Sales Manager - MergeWorks | MergeWorks is an ancillary furniture manufacturer seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Regional Sales Manager to work with our Independent Rep organization in the eastern half of the US. Read more on page 134.
- PLACES - Hundsun Offices – Hangzhou | With mental and physical health as a key consideration, the space offers a variety of breakout areas for relaxation and learning.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of Tennessee and Mississippi / Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet, Leather and Fabric Names New Director of Carpet Division / Room & Board for Business Launches Weber for Commercial Environments / Caleb Tollen Announced As New Principal Of bam associates / New from Maharam: Beyond and Midair by Jacob Hashimoto / Bendheim Celebrates Important Distinction From UNESCO / Ultrafabrics x Allgood Launch Bespoke Fabric Covered Hardware / Andreu World Unveils Newest Showroom in Stockholm
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 8, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: Allsteel Introduces Admix: How the New Light-Scale Table Series Aims to Elevate the In-Office Experience - Designed for collaboration, Admix tables seamlessly adapt to evolving workplace needs. They offer an array of designs and configuration options to accommodate a variety of workspaces.
- Stephen Says - "Strong Economy - PAY UP!" - by Stephen Viscusi - It sounds like you know my favorite expression already which is: Outside recruiters do it better! We just do. We can shift the narrative, wrap our brand around yours and we don't have to do anything unethical while poaching people from your competitors.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Arper to Open New Showroom Space in Chicago - The new 4,500-square-foot space will showcase Arper's portfolio of furniture and highlight its versatility in various settings.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Skyline Design's SDX3 SmartView Film-Free Switchable Glass - SDX3 is an exciting new evolution of smart glass technology to the contract market, the first to be created without a film interlayer. This means that the 7-11% visual haze that was inherent to all smart glass products is gone. In its diffused state it offers compete privacy, and in clear state, SDX3 has extreme clarity.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: COFCO, a Henricksen Company, Appoints VP of Sales for Washington D.C. Region - With her background in real estate, construction, and engineering, Joanna brings valuable insights and a proven track record for delivering quality-driven, large-scale projects to one of the nation's leading contract furniture dealerships.
- Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering Illuminates Healthcare, Hospitality, and Work Spaces with Innovative Light Collection - Each pattern within the collection is inspired by the way light filters through nature and the built world alike. Abstracting plant leaves, creating silhouettes, and casting shadows that move and elongate throughout the day and year, the collection captures the essence of light's rhythms.
- KI Awards $40,000 of Furniture to Winning Educators in Second Annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway - Entrants in the giveaway used KI's Classroom Planner tool to design their ideal learning space.
- NeoCon 2024 Announces Keynotes & Robust Exhibitor Activity as Attendee Registration Opens - Inspiring Programming & Global Design Innovators & Activations Promise an Impactful 55th Edition.
- Ethosource Announces New Account Executives, Jessica Wilkinson and Jack Cossa - Ethosource provides businesses with a better way to create their perfect office environment.
- 2023-Q4 Market Outlook Report Now Available from Solomon Coyle - A new chart has been added to the Market Outlook report illustrating how effective respondents are at forecasting changes to Bookings.
- Perkins&Will Announces New Interior Design Leadership for the Firm's Dallas Studio - Courtney Johnston and Amber Wernick oversee the Dallas studio's interiors practice; Sarah Wicker heads up a new local branded environments practice.
- Framery Helps 2.7 Million Workers Cope with Return to Office Life - Over 12,000 companies worldwide now have access to Framery Connect – smart technology that ends the scramble to secure meeting rooms at work.
- Design Within Reach Brings A New Way To Experience Authentic Modern Design To San Francisco - Representing the continued evolution of the DWR offering, the new Bay Area location will mark the brand's most experiential concept to date.
- David Allan Pesso Designs Dayton Occasional Table Program - Clean, Minimalist, and Modern Series for Commercial and Institutional Spaces
- J+J Flooring's Warp & Weft Collection Reinterprets Art of Woven Textiles Into Tufted Carpet Format - Warp & Weft carpet planks were designed to effortlessly coordinate with each other and other products and platforms from the manufacturer, including modular carpet tile, broadloom, LVT and Kinetex textile composite flooring.
- Versteel Introduces Troupe Seating, Expanding its Troupe Collection with Stools and Benches - This new collection offers versatility, quality craftsmanship, and a contemporary aesthetic, complementing the existing Gathering and Inline tables.
- Kin Reps To Bolster Boss North America Sales Team - The Kin team includes industry veterans Amy Rudkin, Kyle Rudkin and Sandy Borland.
- Fräsch Unveils 22 New Colors Offered in Its Product Catalog - Fräsch was founded with a vision to create beautiful yet functional products that help reduce unwanted noise and elevate the acoustical properties of any space.
- Camira Celebrates 50 - The name Camira references the original company name Camborne, founded on Camborne Drive in Huddersfield, as well as pointing to a new 'era' as an independent company.
- OFGO STUDIO Introduces Refreshed Laminate Collection for 2024 - All three new laminates include premium ECO+ and SURFACE+ construction as standard, at no additional cost.
- OFS Acquires Adaptive Architecture Pioneer ROOM - Founded in 2018, ROOM is at the forefront of adaptive architecture, offering a range of modular office pods that cater to the needs of modern workspaces.
- Mercato Place Continues its Evolution as the Go-To Source for Samples - Mercato Place was designed for those who manufacture, distribute or specify products within the specifically curated categories.
- Artaic Launches "Designs on Demand" for Rapid-Turnaround Mosaics - Leverage an innovative design and manufacturing process for by-the-square-foot mosaics made of Vitreous Glass in 1/2" and 3/4" sizes. All inventory is on-site in Boston for domestic mosaic production that's made to measure. Individual colors are available as quick ship solids or blends in just 2-4 weeks.
- Fellowes Donates 5,300 Air Purifiers to Habitat for Humanity in Chicagoland - Indoor Air Purifiers Contribute to Safe, Healthy Housing for Families.
- UPFORNT: Maharam Supports Formafantasma at Stockholm Furniture Fair - Serving as a space for reflection, the Reading Room's aim is to acquaint visitors with the ideas that shape Formafantasma's work.
- New In Classifieds - Independent Manufacturers Representative Group - BRC | BRC is looking for an effective independent manufacturers representative group to drive sales in Florida's strong commercial market. Read more on page 134.
- PLACES - ABB Offices – Santiago | To prioritize access to views and natural light, both workstations and informal meeting areas were set in open space on the perimeter of the floor.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - The Mitchell Group Welcomes Nikki Rubalcaba as Sales Leader for New York Region / A Reimagined Classic - Carl Hansen & Son Introduces the VLA26 Vega Chair in Chrome / Hightower Releases +Halle Nest Offerings with Design-Forward Enhancements / Newsweek Recognizes Steelcase as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, Most Responsible Companies / Independent Suppliers Group Announces Board of Directors Elections / Steelcase Recognized as One of the World's Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, Named First in Home Equipment and Furnishings Category / MATTER CONTRACT - Now Representing Via Seating in the Great Pacific Northwest
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 1, 2024
- Stefanie Schwalb: BIFMA's 360 Leadership Conference Was All About Innovation—And How To Make The Most Of It - As a newbie to the event, beginning with the Welcome Reception/Speed Dining Dinner on Monday night was the perfect way to usher in the conference's experimental aspect.
- AMQ Introduces Personality Plus, a Task Chair That Offers Comfort, Support, and Movement for Every Body – Without the Added Cost - From initial sit through continuous daily movement, Personality Plus offers healthy, ergonomic support.
- Stephen Says - "Just Pick Up the Phone!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I can tell you, as a recruiter, we almost always have blocked numbers. It's just common sense for us.
- New Calibrate Executive Floating Height Adjustable Desk Offered by AIS Elevates the Private Office - Next Generation Desk Provides Ergonomic Support and Streamlined, Upscale Features
- HBF Launches Firma Table Collection By Travis Clifton Featuring Juniper Lighting - Inspired by the Past, Designed for the Future
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Humanscale Showcases Its Global Partnership with Kvadrat at the Stockholm Furniture Fair - New products on display, including an exclusive international preview of Freedom Ocean upholstered in Kvadrat Sport.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Introducing Aspire: the Latest Addition to The Mitchell Group's Sta-Kleen Silicone Upholstery Fabric Portfolios - Aspire is composed of 100% silicone and features a 100% polyester double-knit backing.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Omni Workspace Welcomes Jesus Omana as President of Their National Services Company, Emerald Blue - Omni Workspace aligns operations leadership to drive growth and create value for clients and partners.
- 2023 Ends with Continued Weak Business Conditions for Architecture Firms, AIA/Deltek ABI Finds - The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) remained below 50 for December, indicating soft business conditions to close out 2023. The score of 45.4 remained essentially flat from November.
- Introducing Dotti, KFI Studios New Lounge Collection - Create a cohesive lounge area with the Dotti collection, complete with pouf, ottoman, lounge chairs, and tables.
- ICFF Unveils New Visual Identity - In changing the perception of the visual identity, the team at forceMAJEURE redesigned a stark and restrictive logo of a black square and four letters and added color to represent each distinct ICFF feature with strong identities.
- Max out in Max from Scandinavian Spaces - Max makes a room come to life, even when unoccupied. A lounge chair that brings energy and life back into the workplace.
- Chief Creative Officer, Marybeth Shaw, Wins the Allman Award - Wolf-Gordon congratulates our Chief Creative Officer, Marybeth Shaw, who was awarded the 2024 Allman Award by the Wallcoverings Association!
- Lesro Introduces Rhapsody - With its free-flowing structure and sturdy design, Rhapsody enhances your guests' waiting experience.
- New Collaboration by BuzziSpace and Lenovo Elevates UX in the Hybrid Workspace - "We're delighted to collaborate with BuzziSpace, an acoustic leader, to bring a one-stop-shop solution to the changing workspaces."
- IIDA NY Honors Hazel Siegel Scholarship Winners at Inaugural Career Fair - This scholarship honors the legacy of Hazel Siegel, an acclaimed textile designer and chapter member who held numerous leadership positions and received multiple honors over 40 years of dedicated service to the chapter.
- Tarkett's Second Annual Healthy Building Summit Focuses on Empowering Facility Managers - "Getting [each role within the education system] on the same page... gives our students healthier buildings."
- MAXHUB Unveils Xcore Kit, Bringing The Microsoft Teams Rooms Experience To Broader Spaces - Building upon the XCore Kit, the Certified for Microsoft Teams MAXHUB XT10-VB Kit bundles the MAXHUB UC S07 integrated video bar, featuring simplified frontline one-cable deployment and remarkable expandability.
- Acclaimed Workplace Expert Kimberly Sacramone Joins JLL - Industry veteran will leverage global platform to support clients in New Jersey and beyond.
- Arcadia + Encore Announce New Strategic Positions within their Sales Division - With the new sales structure in place, Arcadia and Encore will expand their reach in target regions while strategically pursuing greater opportunities within its core markets of corporate, healthcare and education.
- Forward Space Promotes Elizabeth Lewis to Vice President and General Manager of Milwaukee Office - From Vice President to VP + GM in 4 "Best Places to Work" years!
- UPFORNT: Studio TK Welcomes New President, Koorosh Sharghi - Sharghi joins Studio TK with several years of experience working for commercial furniture and contract product manufacturers.
- New In Classifieds - Independent Manufacturers Representative Group - BRC | BRC is looking for an effective independent manufacturers representative group to drive sales in Florida's strong commercial market. Read more on page 134.
- PLACES - VTI Offices – Hanoi | Designed and constructed by the Vacons Architect team, VTI's new office in Hanoi goes beyond the confines of a traditional workspace to showcase innovation, creativity, sustainability, and a focus on enhancing the employee experience.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Material Bank Appoints Jan Heck as Global President of Kitchen and Bath / Armadillo Welcomes Mark Haysman as New Global CEO / Ware Malcomb Names Shannon Suess Director, Interior Architecture & Design In Seattle Office / Italian Design Combines Style with Comfort in Aceray's Ciao Collection of Seating / Ware Malcomb Names Amber DeVine Director, Interior Architecture & Design In San Francisco / Gala Pure Eco Chairs by Andreu World Made From Sustainable Materials / Current and Tide Make Waves in Myriad Ways / Arcadis Makes Debut on World Architecture 100 List / CHAPEAUX by Foscarini: Three Personalities for a Magical, Suspended, Impalpable Light Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni / Sabi Collection: New Textiles, Wallcoverings, Leathers, and Rugs from HOLLY HUNT / Bjelin's Hardened Wood Flooring Wins FCNnovation Award
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 25, 2024
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: The Freeride Family: Redefining Office Elegance with Versatile Seating Solutions - Step into an office space where every chair is a statement of sophistication and functionality – welcome to the world of the Freeride family. This isn't just about seating; it's about transforming your work environment into a landscape of comfort and style. The Freeride chairs don't just sit in your office; they stand out in it.
- Stephen Says - "Is Salone Overtaking Over NeoCon?" - by Stephen Viscusi - These are all different trend setting events that have specific audiences that cross over. Here's your justification for going. It is a bonding experience with your customer. Just like you said. And not one to be slept on.
- AIS Introduces Thoughtfully Curated Lounge Collection, Further Expanding its Product Portfolio - New Collection Includes Beautiful Organic Forms and Geometric Shapes for Today's Engaging Work Environments
- Landscape Forms Introduces the Stylish & Versatile Every Day Chair - "Using the combination of wire and metal strapping, we've created a chair that's simple yet also visually interesting and fun."
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Haworth and Architype Announce Strategic Representation Partnership - Architype will take on marketplace representation for Haworth architectural products, including Pergola, HushOffice, Trivati and Enclose. Premium, open-line ancillary brands from Haworth are also included, such as BuzziSpace, Cappellini, Cassina, Emeco, GAN, Janus et Cie and Poltrona Frau.
- EVENT SPOTLIGHT: Photos: BIFMA 2024 360 Leadership Conference (Full Wrap-Up Coming Next Week) - Thank you to all attendees, sponsors, and speakers for making the 2024 BIFMA 360 Leadership Conference such a success. Mark your calendars for the 360 Leadership Conference at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort and Golf Club in Carlsbad, California, January 27-29, 2025!
- Adiós y muchas gracias! Byrne Mexico's General Manager, Jorge Angulo, retires after 18 years. - Jorge Angulo served as a member of Byrne's leadership team for 18 years and most recently held the position of VP of Operations for Byrne México.
- Indiana Furniture Introduces Dab Seating - Each Sale Supports the Common Thread for the Cure
- UPFRONT: Humanscale's Smart Conference Elevates Comfort and Luxury in Hybrid Workplaces - The Smart Conference chair is crafted to conform to the body’s contours, offering a luxury seating experience for every user.
- Revolutionizing Office Acoustics: Altispace Ceiling Shapes Transform Hexagon's Workspace in Mississauga, Ontario - The conference room was equipped with Acoustic Hexagon Shapes to improve sound clarity, while the coworking area utilized Acoustic Ceiling Shapes to dampen noise. The use of these acoustic products created a more productive and comfortable workspace, showcasing the transformative power of Altispace ceiling products.
- Haworth: Hybrid Work Is The New Normal - Haworth releases study on the state of hybrid work and trends driving the new workplace.
- Kimball International Announces New NYC Showroom Location - "We are delighted to be moving back to 215 Park Avenue South, the former home of the Kimball showroom."
- Humanscale Welcomes René Nieuwendijk as VP of Global Retail Sales - With Over 25 Years of Experience, Nieuwendijk is Set to Transform the Brand's Global Retail Strategy
- HBF Hosts 'Designing With Empathy' Roundtable - In a world where design transcends mere aesthetics and functionality, where structures not only house us but nurture our well-being, conversations on empathy in the realm of architecture and design carry profound significance that requires more discussion and awareness.
- Walters Wicker Introduces Outdoor Collection Gondola by Roger Thomas - Sophisticated and inviting, the Gondola collection by design master Roger Thomas features a gentle, curved shape that embraces and comforts. Crafted with teak frames and handwoven Rhino round rope seats, each piece exudes elegance and makes a timeless addition to any space.
- Interface Circular Approach Recognized by The World Economic Forum and McKinsey as a Circularity Lighthouse in the Built Environment - Nine circularity loops across three dimensions in the built environment.
- 3form Introduces 2024 Color Collection Inspired by Timeless Architectural Materials - 3form is launching their 2024 Color Collection, featuring thirteen new colors inspired by classic architectural materials like concrete, stone and ceramic.
- Room & Board Opens First New Jersey Showroom in Paramus - Room & Board has made its way to Bergen County, New Jersey with the launching of their latest location in Paramus.
- Road to Salone 2024: The American Tour to Promote the 62nd Edition Has Kicked Off - From Dallas to New York via Las Vegas and Chicago - A journey to discover the main previews of the trade fair scheduled from April 16 to 21.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is Looking for a Territory Sales Representative! | This candidate will work to promote our products by working with our sales team as well as directly with manufacturers, dealers and designers in the commercial and contract furniture industry.
- PLACES - Institute of International Affairs Offices – Shenzhen | In library design, it is very important to focus on the design of reading and communication spaces, as these spaces are places for readers to learn, think, and communicate.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Karen Daroff Retires from Interior Design Principal Role at NELSON Worldwide / Allseating Announces Partnership With Compass West / Portal Warehousing Expands to Brooklyn / Bjelin Sells Rigid Core Products in the US via Revolution Mills / Carl Hansen & Son's Latest Outdoor Collection / New from Ethnicraft - Jack Outdoor in Aluminum / FLOR Debuts New Winter Area Rug Collection for the New Year
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 18, 2024
- Watson Furniture Unveils the Mastermind Collection – Shaping the Conference and Meeting Landscape - Mastermind System tables follow a starter-adder-ender logic and can be configured in many ways to fit any space but shine in training environments, hybrid meeting rooms, and boardrooms.
- Stephen Says - "Do not "CC" my bosses on an e-mail and expect me to like you!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I am a sales rep for a big furniture manufacturer in Michigan (Go Blue!). We have strong relationships with our dealers, and there is mutual respect. But nothing steams me more than an email to me about a simple subject, a lead time or a discount, where a dealer salesperson decides to CC his boss and then my boss, and often it does not even stop with my boss, but to my bosses' boss at HQ in Michigan!
- The Modern Workplace Reimagined: Tangram Interiors Launches Hybrid Office & Showroom in Dallas - "After 18 months of introducing ourselves through PowerPoints and customer installations, we are thrilled to open the doors to our new Dallas showroom. I am proud of the way our new space tells the history of the East Quarter, with material and design choices that nod to the automotive industry. We're excited to be here as this area revitalizes and look forward to sharing our new home with the DFW community."
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Dan Chong Named New President of Boss Design North America - Joining Boss Design, Dan brings considerable industry knowledge and senior leadership credentials in the commercial sector. Having worked with companies including MillerKnoll, Knoll, HBF and Steelcase, Dan has a proven track record of developing brand and commercial strategies that drive organizations forward.
- SOFTWARE SPOTLIGHT: Yulio Technologies Unveils Groundbreaking Augmented Reality (AR) Integration for CET Designer - "With this latest enhancement to Yulio Jump for CET, we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to providing powerful yet easily accessible visual selling tools for the industry."
- UPFRONT: Versteel Unveils New Website Experience with Captivating Tagline: "Our Niche is You" - Guided by intuitive navigation, visitors are easily able to explore Versteel's extensive product offering and company's ethos.
- Teknion's Latest Introduction, Kupp Flip-Top Tables, Is Elevating Workplace Dynamics - Seamless integration with the Kupp horizontal nesting chair for a versatile work environment.
- Heimtextil Ends With an Increase In Exhibitors and Visitors, While Setting New Standards for a Sustainable and AI-Driven Textile Industry - Heimtextil 2024 ended with 46,000 visitors from around 130 nations and 2,838 exhibitors from 60 nations with 25 per cent growth.
- Room & Board Achieves B Corp Certification - This certification recognizes the company's commitment to social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Room & Board has a long-standing dedication to sustainability and has made significant progress in areas such as sustainable sourcing, renewable energy usage, and supporting nonprofits.
- PurOptima Expands Across the United States - Sustainable glass wall partitions and door systems manufacturer adds six new partners.
- Dyer Brown Elevates Senior Designer, Marketing Lead to Director Roles - The promotions reflect a redoubling of the Boston and Atlanta-based national design firm's commitments to design excellence, sustainability, and diversity and inclusion in leadership.
- Hightower Adds Two Ocee & Four Design Products to Its Expansive Portfolio of Seating Solutions - Hightower has expanded its portfolio with two new seating options: FourAll Lounge and FourUs Solo. FourAll Lounge, designed by Roger Webb Associates, offers an elegant highback seating option for added privacy.
- Textile Design Redefined: Heimtextil and Studio Urquiola Announce New Collaboration - Heimtextil announced a partnership with Studio Urquiola at the 2024 show as the global trade fair scales for a 2025 design installation. The collaboration demonstrates a steadfast commitment to innovation, sustainability, and design throughout the textile industry.
- Ultrafabrics Launches the Sanctuary Palette - Ultrafabrics amplifies the Pantone 2024 Color of the Year 'Peach Fuzz' with a dynamic textile palette and poetic conceptual spaces.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is Looking for a Territory Sales Representative! | This candidate will work to promote our products by working with our sales team as well as directly with manufacturers, dealers and designers in the commercial and contract furniture industry.
- PLACES - Jobis & Villains Offices – Seoul | An office is the space where people spend the most extended amount of time, and it represents the organizational culture of a company.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Italian Lighting Brand Lodes Appoints USA Vice President of Sales / Meet Your New EDmarket Chair: Jolene Levin / Interface Elects Catherine Marcus to Board of Directors / The Dedicate Lamp Cranes Above the Rest With Its Versatility / MG Power Plus - Combination of Power, Durability and Portability in a Relocatable Power Tower
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 11, 2024
- 9to5 Seating Wins Two GOOD DESIGN Awards - "Last year, 9to5 Seating received four prestigious GOOD DESIGN Awards and to be recognized for our innovative new task series Tori and design-forward guest chair Cavo continues to prove that 9to5 Seating is committed to providing high-design products to the market that are both functional and beautiful."
- Stephen Says - "Oh Those Dealers!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I will say, I try to avoid printing stories that contain what I call "dealer bashing". We receive so many of these letters in this column from anonymous manufacturers rep's, anonymous salespeople that work at dealers and anonymous design firms that work with dealers that can be defined as pejorative to dealers.
- New Spaces: Oracle Unveils Cutting-Edge Production Studio - Provost Studio's design approach focused on maximizing usage and creating a warm, intimate, and personable atmosphere. Inspired by Oracle's offices and approached through a hospitality lens, the spatial experience creates a lasting connection with the addition of dramatic lighting and textures.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Solomon Coyle Welcomes Strategic Business Developer Ashley Baker to Its Team - Ashley's experience in the non-profit, agriculture and commercial interiors sectors allows her to draw from a variety of business strategies and styles in support of helping distributors reach their business goals.
- Ligne Roset Announces Commitment Procuring a Portion of Mycoworks' New Production Capacity for Reishi - For MycoWorks, the partnership with Ligne Roset has enabled the biotechnology company to refine their proprietary technology, Fine Mycelium, into further applications.
- Allseating Renews Agreement With Premier - The partnership highlights Allseating's commitment to providing healthcare professionals with supportive seating options.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Farewell to a Furniture Industry Icon: John Francosky Retires from Berco Designs & Oasis Berco - With a career spanning nearly four decades in the contract furniture industry, John has truly left an indelible mark as a valuable mentor.
- Turf President Rob Perri Promoted to Vice President, Architectural Specialties – Brand Companies at Armstrong World Industries - "I'm excited for this opportunity to lead an expanded portfolio of companies within Armstrong."
- Lauren Rottet Wins Coveted Chicago Athenaeum GOOD DESIGN Award - Rottet Collection Honored for 6 Innovative Designs.
- Kirei Launches Seven New EchoScreen Acoustic Screens - Kirei has launched seven new EchoScreen acoustic screens as part of their Level Up collection. The screens feature sophisticated designs, smooth contours, captivating cutouts, and integrated printing, offering various design possibilities. Each screen is crafted to offer space division and sound control, with designs ranging from Hexa and Ellipse to Coral and Fizz. The screens are made from recycled PET felt and can be custom printed with Kirei Ink.
- Tangram Interiors to Open New Fresno Office Location in February 2024 - "I'm thrilled to be able to showcase all of what Tangram can bring to the table — to the community. With our other space, we were limited on space. We're not going to have that roadblock this time. The options of what we can do with the space are endless."
- Woolpert and Great Bridge Primary School Earn Local and Statewide Design Honors - The Chesapeake school offers locally inspired environmental themes to inspire collaborative learning, sustainable design elements, and structural and methodological flexibility.
- Zweig Group Releases 2024 Salary Reports of AEC Firms - These reports are an industry standard for firm leaders looking to benchmark staff compensation.
- Fuoripista Presents The New Leather Bike In Paris - The Fuoripista Bike is a wheelless wellness bike for you to conduct personalized and interactive training programs. Its design and high end construction materials make it stand out from traditional sports equipment and turn this bike into a furnishing asset that you can place indoors or outdoors (though always under a roof).
- KFI Studios Vale Collection Now Available - Vale is available in seven frame colors and six PET felt colors.
- MillerKnoll Named to Newsweek's 2024 List of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity - The partnership highlights Allseating's commitment to providing healthcare professionals with supportive seating options.
- UPFRONT: Revitalizing the Office: Humanscale's Dynamic Sit/Stand Solutions - The Float Mini epitomizes smart design, offering effortless height adjustments to enable a blend of sitting and standing throughout the workday.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is Looking for a Territory Sales Representative! | This candidate will work to promote our products by working with our sales team as well as directly with manufacturers, dealers and designers in the commercial and contract furniture industry.
- PLACES - Galadari Brothers Offices – Dubai | Its opulent interiors eloquently narrate the company's illustrious history, showcasing a timeless and exquisite design that epitomizes a refined and subtle minimalist concept.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Greenbuild Call for Presentations 2024 / Bluff Available to Order / NY Times Has Crowned Koncept's Z-Bar Mini Desk Lamp As Their Top Pick / Hardened Wood Named Best Product by Design Journal / Arteriors Appoints John Hart as CEO / Elevate Interiors with Two New NappaTile Patterns / Most Modest's Latest Light, Pippa, Redefines Focus and Relaxation in Home and Office Settings
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 4, 2024
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Flokk Acquires Stylex, Significantly Boosting US Position - Flokk has signed an agreement to acquire US-based Stylex, further strengthening its position in the US market based on its long-term acquisition strategy.
- Experimental Excellence: The 2024 BIFMA 360 Leadership Conference Comes to Sarasota, Florida - Soak up the sun along Sarasota's white-sand beaches. Treat yourself to diverse dining, enriching arts and culture, shopping districts of all sorts and natural Florida fun. Spend a day browsing the shops of St. Armands Circle or observing the impressive art collections of the Ringling Museum. Or head to nearby Marina Jacks for a dinner cruise along the Gulf.
- Stephen Says - "Get Over Yourself... and Get Back to Work!" - by Stephen Viscusi - The problem is when you're used to making a lot of money, just like you said, people like you can't help but to talk about it. Good salespeople are show offs! I guess that is what makes them good at selling but bad at selling themselves and landing that next job!
- DIRTT and SourceBlue Announce Strategic Alliance to Transform the Interior Construction Procurement Process - "This alliance will enable DIRTT and our Construction Partners to efficiently source and procure construction materials while opening up new sales channels for both parties."
- Resource Furniture Adds Skyline Sofa to Flexible Home Collection - The Fully-Customizable Sofa Embodies the Artistry, Quality, and Attention to Detail Celebrated in Italian Furniture
- UPFRONT: Solomon Coyle Ye2023 Financial Benchmarking Survey Now Open - "Last year's high level of participation in benchmarking tells us that more and more dealers are taking a data-driven approach to identifying the changes they need to make to perform optimally."
- By Spacestor: Top 8 Workplace Trends for 2024 - The top workplace trends for 2024 signal a profound transformation in how we perceive and design our work environments.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Arcadis Strengthens Foothold in Architecture & Design World with Six New Principals - Arcadis, a leading global design, consultancy, and architecture organization for natural and built assets, proudly announced today the appointment of six new key principals to its architectural design team, signaling a new creative era for the company and the strengthening of its global council for design excellence.
- Six Color Neutrals Set the Groundwork for Brentano's 2024 Color Forecast - Celebrated color mid tones offer delicate balance and subtle color transitions.
- Leadership Development Redefined: Charting Your Course - Monique Lecomte launches new leader development experiences personalized through wellness retreats.
- Lola Takes the Stage at Scandinavian Spaces - The multi-award-winning chair deserves the spotlight.
- New In Classifieds - MOD is Looking for a Territory Sales Representative! | This candidate will work to promote our products by working with our sales team as well as directly with manufacturers, dealers and designers in the commercial and contract furniture industry.
- PLACES - Carl Zeiss Offices – Singapore | The shift from a traditional office to an activity-based working office represents a fundamental design transformation.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Wyatt Seating Promotes Mackenzie Brennan to Sales Support Specialist / AMQ: Join our Winter Webinar on January 22 / Bjelin Sells Rigid Core Products in the US via Revolution Mills / Atelier Plus Montecarlo Introduces Marble Furniture Collection / Great Lakes Architectural Products Group Rebrands as Great APG, Now a Proud Member of the K5 Company / Fire Factory Australia is a Premier Wholesale Manufacturer and Supplier of Emergency Exit Lights / Unveiling the Power of Connection - HBF Textiles' Newest Collection Dives Deep into Nature-inspired Textiles and the Beauty that Surrounds Us
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 28, 2023
- Co-Founder and Vice Chair Bruce Platzman Announces Retirement from AIS - Innovator of Dealer Focused, Fastest Growing Company in the Industry to Take on Next Challenge
- Stephen Says - "Switch From Independent Rep's? I Don't Think So!" - by Stephen Viscusi - The common denominator of when to "go direct" has a lot to do with your revenue size and your cashflow status. There are also brands like #OFS that use a combination of independent reps and their direct employees. It's not a formula where one size fits all.
- As a Hybrid Workforce Prevails, Dayhouse Coworking Expands - Dayhouse Coworking is a serene, creative space in downtown Highland Park, IL established in 2019 with community in mind. Amenities include private offices, conference rooms, mail reception, a mind-body room, kids programming, complimentary snacks, a soundproofed room and more.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: IIDA NY Celebrates Inaugural Student Uplift Program - "The energy was undeniable as guests from many IIDA NY committees and design firms joined to support students."
- PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: Arcadis Unveils New Miami Office Dedicated to Design in The Plaza Coral Gables - "Our Miami team has crafted a welcoming space that inspires innovation and creativity, embracing the circular economy principle."
- UPFRONT: Recap: Humanscale's Webinar on Ergonomics in Hybrid Workplaces - Humanscale's latest webinar, "Ergonomics Everywhere: Maximizing Comfort and Productivity for Hybrid Work", led by Dr. Alan Hedge, an ergonomics expert and Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, tackled the pressing issue of ergonomics in the hybrid work era.
- Steelcase Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results - Orders grew 15% compared to prior year and improved modestly on a sequential basis; Gross margin improved 360 basis points compared to prior year.
- Whipsaw's New Studio Melds Advanced Technology, Latest Workspace Thinking and Award-Winning Design - Whipsaw, under the leadership of design visionary Dan Harden, is a highly acclaimed strategy, design, and engineering consulting firm.
- MillerKnoll Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results - Sales growth of 4% over the prior year, up 8% organically; Year-over-year operating margin expansion in the Americas Contract and International Contract & Specialty segments.
- 2023 In Review - Imperfections Are the Perfection — Mantra Inspired Furniture Finds Beauty and Sustainability in Solid Wood / The Layered Language of Lighting — Flos Considers Both Function and Aesthetics in its Designs / Own Who You Are and What You Deserve — Women Leaders in Design Weigh in On Rising to the Top and Empowering Others to Do the Same / Wyatt Seating: The Office Chair Manufacturer That's a Family Adventure / Humanscale Introduces Smart Conference, an Intuitive Collaborative Seating Solution for the Hybrid Workplace / Navigating NeoCon, The Mart, Part 1 / Making Our Way to Design Days in the Fulton Market District / AMQ Launches Amobi Team Digital Display / Encounter PowerBench by AIS: Expanded Design for Greater Choice / Vitra Unveils the ACX by Antonio Citterio / What's Ahead for the Future of Work? Ambiente May Have the Answer / Humanscale Launches M/Connect 3: Advanced USB Power and Data Solutions / With a New Name and a New Product, ClearSpace Design Ensures Workspaces Won't Be Compromised by Technology
- New In Classifieds - Modsilver Independent Sales Representative | MODSILVER, a premier provider of cutting-edge commercial table bases, table legs, and accessories that manufactures its products in the USA, is expanding its sales team and seeking independent sales representatives to cover select US territories.
- PLACES - Yuesheng Group Offices – Xingtai | The single-story open plan consists of independent units providing various functions like coffee, negotiation, meetings, reading, and salons.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - 9to5 Seating: New Textile Partner / West VA Managed IT Service Provider Discusses Cabling Design & Installation / Hightower Unveils Table Collections that Deliver Form, Function, Fun / Shaw Contract Launches ROAM | Painted Desert Hospitality Collection / Divya Living's Indoor/Outdoor Rug Offerings / Addi Designs Space-saving Seat for Perching Instead of Lingering / Altispace Transforming Environments with Acoustic Comfort and Aesthetic Brilliance
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 14 & 21, 2023
- With a New Name and a New Product, ClearSpace Design Ensures Workspaces Won't Be Compromised by Technology - They say good things come in three's, and it's safe to say the SmartDock is the perfect example. Combining AC power outlets, a USB-A and USB-C output, and a video output, this product enables quick and easy charging as well as data transmission.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: DeskMakers Elevates Workplace Design Legacy with Strategic Acquisition of Peter Pepper Products' Operating Assets - Iconic brand to continue operations with DeskMakers, paving the way for a new era of innovative solutions.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: New Products from The Mitchell Group - The Mitchell Group has released three new high-performance products to the commercial market: Toulouse, Paris, and Iberia.
- Stephen Says - "It's Time for a Change! What Do I Do About an Aging Sales Manager?" - by Stephen Viscusi - No one likes to be put out to pasture so my suggestion to my clients is that they must move the pasture. In other words, you do not move him out, you move him over!
- December Holiday Special @ 145 Pages - Next Issue: Year End Special - December 28, 2023
- Hear it First Directly From Viccarbe... The Noha Collection Designed by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba - A collection to bring the pleasure of living into the office, so that the workplace can achieve the levels of kindness and refinement found in a domestic environment.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Versteel Welcomes Phil Englert as National Sales Manager - "We couldn't have found a more fitting individual for this role," said Scott Schwinghammer, President and CEO of Versteel.
- Ralph Lauren Announces Strategic Collaboration with Haworth to Accelerate Growth of Luxury Furniture Business - Long-term agreement with industry leader Haworth Lifestyle Design will expand luxury furniture distribution, including opening of first standalone Ralph Lauren Home stores.
- The Salone del Mobile.Milano Anticipates 2024, Starting from Neuroscience, AI and a New Research Hub - Optimizing the experience of all those making the most of the trade fair and the city during these few days is the key to getting to grips with the new content and exhibition paths at the upcoming edition of the Salone del Mobile. EuroCucina and the International Bathroom Exhibition, the test benches; with digital as the prime mode of connecting with the community: a communication campaign that chose artificial intelligence to question the international design community.
- More Than 40 New Manufacturers Join Configura's Platform in 2023 - Manufacturers add their products to CET by creating an Extension, an addition to the software that incorporates the rules, parts and pricing of a given product.
- Chemetal Launches Curated Collection of Brass Metals - With this curated collection of brass and brass-appearance metals, Chemetal provides designers and architects with more options to achieve their desired look—all offered at agreeable price points.
- J+J Flooring's Helping Hands Program Spreads Holiday Cheer to Hospitalized Kids in Largest Initiative to Date - "This is a small — albeit impactful way — that our community can add some magic to the season of giving."
- Furniture Marketing Group Hires Stacy Murphy to be FMG Austin's Vice President - With a rich background in the contract furniture industry, Stacy brings a wealth of experience.
- Pallas Textiles Introduces Color Capsule - "Our Color Capsules for Aphrodite, Sandstone, and Ooh La Lana elevate the complexity, structure, and cohesion of their color palettes."
- DeskMakers Strengthens Sales Team with Zack Lamb as Regional Sales Director, East - With a degree in International Business, Lamb's career has encompassed roles at GL Seaman and wilsonbauhaus Interiors.
- SilentLab Introduces a New Product for Manufacturing, Logistics and Office Environments: The SPARK FAMILY Product Line - The SPARK FAMILY range is available in eight color options, so it can easily match the design of the surrounding area.
- 2024: The Pantone x Ultrafabrics Color of the Year - Pantone partnered with Ultrafabrics as an expert collaborator to show how the Pantone Color of the Year can be incorporated into future-forward environments.
- Andreu World Announces the Winners of the 22nd International Design Contest - In its special edition "Beyond the plastic wave, The contest recognizes excellence and innovation in design for the circular economy, highlighting creative projects from contestants around the world.
- Thinkspace Celebrates Double Recognition in Interior Design Best of Year Awards - BuildUp Huddle Collection for Semi-Private Acoustic Work, Meeting and Conferencing / Neuron Activation Pod Reduces Stress and Anxiety - Healing the Mind & Body.
- Spacestor's Inaugural Summit Takes Place At Its London Design Centre - The location of the event, Spacestor's London Design Centre was the perfect backdrop for a day packed with instructive content, only enhanced by the hospitality of the hosts and the immersive but peaceful ambience.
- Creative Announces Leadership Change - Lara Williams will assume Sales Leadership at Creative, effective January 1, 2024.
- Camira's 'Color of the Year' 2024 - Following the announcement of Pantone's Color of the Year, global designer of textiles, Camira has revealed its own shade for 2024, based on customer demand - and it's not Peach Fuzz.
- Jade Sustainable Work Chair Now Available - KFI Studios introduced a new aesthetic and sustainable ergonomic office chair, Jade, the first task chair to use recycled PET felt.
- BRC, Tayco and Woodlore Group of Companies Welcome New Senior Vice-President of Sales - BRC, Tayco and Woodlore Continue to Make Strides, Adding New Leadership, Gary Hierlihy, to the Helm
- The City of Lights Turned Into Book Form, Enlightening Fans of Design and Planning - Available in all leading national and international bookshops, the book narrates one of the most important cultural events devoted to the world of light and lighting.
- FLEXMIRROR Makes Pivot into Contract Market with Low-Profile, Cost-Effective Alternative to Glass - FLEXMIRROR is composed of a self-supporting aluminum frame covered with a 0.03 mm-thick mirror film.
- Wolf-Gordon: Dreaming Up Urban Nature with Raylene Marasco - New Designs by Raylene Marasco for Wolf-Gordon
- UPFRONT: Humanscale and Kvadrat's Sustainability Dialogue at Dubai Design Week - Humanscale has emerged as a leader in sustainable design, with 70% of its product portfolio earning the 'Climate Positive' distinction.
- PLACES - Watson Marlow Fluid Technology Group Offices – Singapore | The main workspace is also designed with flexibility and free-flowing productivity in mind.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - HON Confetti Wins at Interior Design's Best of Year Awards 2023 / Dauphin Welcomes Toby Tobin as National Sales Director / Calling Office Furniture Dealers to Orlando January 21-24 for the Office Furniture Recyclers Conference / Studio Other Partners With Manufacturer's Representative Group MiConcepts / MITY Inc Announces a New COO & CFO / Meet Theo, Pair's New Custom, Yet Affordable, Conference Table / Fellowes Announces Custom Color And Logo Program / Watson Furniture Debuts Newly Redesigned Seattle Showroom / J+J Launches Function Carpet Tile as Partner to Structure Broadloom / Mayer Fabrics Welcomes Luis A. Figueredo To The New York City, Long Island and Northern New Jersey Territories / Aceray's Gala Seating Collection Celebrates Resurgence of Mid-Century Aesthetic / LightArt Launches Mini Acoustic Wing to Improve Sound in Small Spaces
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 7, 2023
- Unika Vaev Introduces Its Latest Acoustic Product Collection by Unika Vaev Studios - With a commitment to elevating aesthetics and enhancing acoustic performance, these new offerings—Louver Tile, Radius Panel, and Light Blade—are poised to transform the way we experience sound in our living and working spaces.
- Record Numbers at BDNY Reinforce the Growth of the Boutique and Lifestyle Hospitality Industry - Event brings 15,000 hospitality and design professionals back to NYC.
- Stephen Says - "Didn't Your Mother Ever Teach You To Say, "Thank You"?" - by Stephen Viscusi - I do not accept that this is the new normal, it's just called being rude. It's really a shame because a "Thank You" can really go a long way towards making you feel happy and appreciated, and encourages you to continue to help people out whenever you can.
- Haworth Announces 2024 DesignLab – Focus on Sustainability & Circular Design - A collective of talented designers and artists looks beyond the office furniture industry for new ideas.
- EVENTS HAPPENING SOON: Do It Different: A Conversation on Challenging Industry Norms and Redefining Customer Experience, Presented by Allsteel - Allsteel invites you to join its latest Learning Lab, "Do It Different," featuring Jesse Cole, the founder of Fans First Entertainment, inventor of Banana Ball, and owner of the viral sensation Savannah Bananas.
- EVENTS HAPPENING SOON: Join Humanscale's Upcoming Webinar on Ergonomics in the Hybrid Work Era - Leading the webinar is Dr. Alan Hedge, a world-renowned expert in ergonomics with over four decades of experience.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Hendrick Principal Selected as IIDA's Leaders Breakfast Honoree - Heard brings more than 35 years of design experience in virtually all market segments.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: MITY Welcomes a New CEO - "I am grateful for the opportunity to lead an organization with such a long history and record of success," said Kevin McCoy.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Palace Business Solutions Merges with AAA Business Supplies & Interiors - Palace has an unusually strong presence in the community and, under the leadership of CEO Gary Trowbridge, has become one of the strongest education-focused dealers in the nation.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale's Active Pony and Nova Task Light are Winners in Architectural Record's 2023 Record Products Awards - The recognition of Active Pony and Nova task light by Architectural Record is a testament to Humanscale's commitment to creating products that blend innovative design with practical functionality.
- Arper Launches First Sustainability Report - Arper emphasizes the importance of responsibility, encompassing a culture of knowledge and care, redefining beauty with respect for people and the planet, and continually pushing for innovation in processes and products.
- EF Contract Injects Color and Saturation Into Contract Spaces with District and Control II - District II displays a tighter grid with stronger angles, while complementary Control II is visually more broken up and slightly more organic.
- Think Lightweight Leading The Way - The First North American Company to Embrace The 100 mm Edge Banding Machine by Homag
- Spacestor's Aeonica Wins Prestigious FX Award 2023 - Aeonica received Interior Design's Best of Year Award and was a finalist in the Mix Awards in 2022.
- Metalworks Acquires Flairwood, Expands Manufacturing Capabilities, Industries, Customer Base - Metalworks and Flairwood have partnered together on products for the past seven years, jointly developing and producing a successful laminate locker line and other personal storage products for the office furniture industry.
- Insidesource Welcomes Amanda Salt as EMEA Managing Director - "I missed the dealer world, working with diverse manufacturers, and the creative process involved in delivering a complete furniture project. So now I have found my way back to where I belong."
- New from Flos - Skynest Motion & Skynest Ceiling - Skynest Motion and Skynest Ceiling are designed for sustainability and meant to be appreciated as works of art - whether on or off.
- Steelcase 2023 Impact Report Shows Significant Progress Toward the Wellbeing of People and the Planet - New report demonstrates measurable progress toward building community and belonging for people and reducing environmental impact with ambitious climate goals.
- PLACES - Thndr Offices – Cairo | The office exudes a Youthful and Modern vibe, where vibrant color schemes and innovative workspaces foster creativity and collaboration.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - DMD for Steelcase Dealers Begins January 16 / Allsteel Aspect Receives Declare Label Certification / Arcadia and Encore Partner with BeyonDesign to Expand Reach in Upper Midwest / Mantra Inspired Furniture Adds Two New Sales Reps / Allsteel Introduces Wilsonart® Solid Surface Products
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 30, 2023
- Humanscale Launches M/Connect 3: Advanced USB Power and Data Solutions - Designed to match the varying technological needs of today's workspaces, M/Connect 3 is a three-pronged solution to data and power connectivity.
- Celebrating Progress: Evaluating 2023's Shifts and the Road to 2024 - ThinkLab has unveiled how not only our industry, but our world can leverage insights from Gen Z to benefit ALL generations.
- Kimball International Launches Updated and Expanded SpecStudio Visualizer Tool - With the newly added modular configuration feature, users can now craft personalized designs by seamlessly combining a variety of lounge modules into one whitespace.
- Stephen Says - "Bosses Who Refuse to Embrace Technology Lose Talent - Especially Millennials. It's that Simple." - by Stephen Viscusi - This is not an age issue. Often, older employers get a bad rap for being unwilling to adopt new office innovations. In my experience, this is unfair and inaccurate.
- The Business of Furniture Thursday Evenings (127 Pages Inside) - Now published Thursday evenings, containing all of the latest industry news from the week, special feature editorials, and the latest product introductions. BoF now keeps you even more informed of everything happening across the industry, with same day/week reporting from events and shows.
- Foscarini Lighting Collections Celebrate Their 40th Anniversary - Foscarini strives to make people feel at home in their homes and collective spaces. The company has always openly challenged the limits of possibility, whether those of materials or technologies.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: COE Distributing's J.D. Ewing Honored with 2023 Smart 50 Award - "It's so humbling to be honored among such an incredible group of business leaders."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: A Modern Twist on Classic BuzziSpace Designs - BuzziTube Square and BuzziJet Square - These functional and aesthetically pleasing suspended acoustic panels can elevate any commercial or residential space, while also absorbing excess noise.
- UPFRONT: Keilhauer Launches Textile Card Partnership with HBF Textiles - "HBF offers interesting and unique textiles that have patterns and colors not previously found within the Keilhauer textile library."
- Watson Launches the Edison Workbench, the Latest Adaptable Solution to its Edison Collection - The Edison Workbench is more than just a well-designed product; it demonstrates the value of listening to an industry at the individual level and devoting the care and resources necessary to design impactful solutions.
- Humanscale Pilots Standalone Retail Concept in Hangzhou, China - Located in Raffles City Mall, This Begins Humanscale's Retail Vision in China's Internet Capital.
- Elevating the Lifestyle and Amenities Market: Creative Office Resources Welcomes a New Addition - A WBENC-Certified WBE and one of the largest MillerKnoll Certified Dealers in North America, is a forward-thinking furniture dealership committed to ensuring a positive end-to-end customer journey.
- Andreu World Announces Expansion of NYC Flagship Showroom - The Global manufacturer's newly renovated and expanded showroom is now the brand's second-largest showroom.
- Versteel Elevates Healthcare Experience with Socius Seating Enhancements - Socius has a seamless frame with soft curves, creating a refined look that is both strong and beautiful.
- Road to Salone 2024: The Promotional Tour for the 62nd Edition - Reports from Paris and London, the first two legs of the journey across the main European and international cities, flagging up the innovations at the upcoming edition.
- Legrand + Microsoft: Companies to Join Forces for Seamless Scalability in The Future Office - Legrand Partners with Microsoft to Create New Hybrid Conferencing Space
- Spacestor Introduces Seamless Simplicity with Portico - Spacestor has taken learnings from the development of a range of products to conceive a simply built booth with reduced options, allowing a more cost-effective price.
- Fräsch Adds Six New Products to its Contemporary Catalog - "As more people return to the office, the need for acoustic solutions like these new offerings from 14six8 is increasing."
- Meet River Lea & The Thames from Designtex - Since 2014, Designtex has collaborated with the British textile design studio, Wallace Sewell, to bring color, craft and construction to the forefront of textile creation.
- PLACES - VMLY&R Offices – Bogotá | This new space is furnished with stands, tables for collaborative work, and an open booth for tasks that require more concentration.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Bringing the MillerKnoll Collective Together in San Francisco / Interior Design Trade Marketplace Daniel House Club Welcomes Three New Visionary Members to Its Board of Advisors / Tarkett's Cliff Gustafson Awarded for Commitment to Educational Facilities Management / Stance Healthcare to Acquire Arizona-based Plural Studios / KI Announces 2nd Annual Classroom Furniture Giveaway for Teachers / HON Showcased Innovative Learning Environment Solutions at EDspaces 2023 / Hightower's New Boulevard Collection Supports Intuitive Seating
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - Nov. 16 & Thanksgiving (23rd), 2023
- BDNY Is Back Again — And Interior Design Has Never Been Better - The products one might consider for their work-from-home space are now being replicated in workplaces hoping to entice employees to return, and lounge spaces you might discover at a boutique hotel are serving as inspiration in wellness environments to provide patients with exceptional comfort that play an integral part of being cared for.
- Stephen Says - "The Holidays Are Coming Up… And So Is Your Next Job!" - by Stephen Viscusi - My experience is that 50% of the people that interview for other jobs will find that the grass is not greener, end up staying put and are more appreciative of their current job, and that is a good thing to learn.
- The Business of Furniture Thursday Evenings - Now published Thursday evenings, containing all of the latest industry news from the week, special feature editorials, and the latest product introductions. BoF now keeps you even more informed of everything happening across the industry, with same day/week reporting from events and shows.
- Carnegie Expands Award-Winning Outdoor Biobased Xorel® Line With The Al Fresco Collection - The Al Fresco Collection uses new knitting techniques to create an improved hand feel that feels softer and more luxurious.
- Stylex Introduces Luna, Reinvented Banquette Seating Specifiable by the Inch - An Enduring Collection of Versatility, Luna Shapes Seating Areas for Lobbies, Restaurants, and Workplaces.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Steelcase Research Finds Leaders' Priorities Shift & Expands Green Products - Leaders say employee wellbeing, sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion are more important this year. Steelcase additionally released its 2023 Impact Report and expands CarbonNeutral product portfolio.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Where Art and Culture Transform Working Spaces - EzoBord Unveils the New Robin Sprong Collection - "By combining the expertise of EzoBord in architectural acoustics with the artistic brilliance of Robin Sprong, we are breaking barriers and redefining the boundaries of design."
- UPFRONT: Celebrate America Recycles Day with Humanscale's Ocean Chairs - Each chair, composed of reclaimed fishing nets and other ocean plastics, is a testament to the company's dedication to reducing the environmental havoc caused by these pollutants.
- LG Expands Chicago Business Innovation Center To Increase Engagement With Resellers and End Customers - Newly Renovated BIC Showcases Cutting-Edge Business Solutions: DVLED, Transparent OLED, Medical Displays, IT Monitors, Laptops, Projectors, Interactive Displays, Robots and More
- Kimball International Wins Best in Show Product Innovation Award for Chaddy Seating Solution - Chaddy was designed to offer extreme flexibility and versatility along with exceptional comfort.
- Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering Welcomes Julia Gillespie as VP of Sustainability - "I am genuinely thrilled to spearhead Momentum's ongoing journey as an industry frontrunner in the sustainable textile and wallcovering space."
- AHF Products Sponsors 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree - The 'People's Tree' is making its way from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest to Washington D.C., after stopping in AHF Products' Beverly, WV Manufacturing Facility Where it was Wrapped & Readied for the Journey.
- Kimball International Wins Two Nightingale Awards for Kolo Pod Solution - Designed to offer flexibility and privacy in an open environment, the Kolo Pods offer a fresh perspective on respite areas within healthcare spaces.
- Interface – Interface Releases Fall/Winter 2023 Design Trend Index - Latest Report Explores Evolving Trends in Commercial and Residential Interiors
- Safco Products Introduces Swift Catalog: Helping Space Planners Design for The Moment - The new catalog is available in both print and digital formats, offering convenience and accessibility to customers.
- Woodlore International Officially Under New Ownership - Owner of BRC Group and Tayco, Bill Melnik Acquires OEM Manufacturer Woodlore.
- Design Within Reach Announces 20th Annual Champagne Chair Contest in Partnership with Champagne Pommery and United States Artists - Design Within Reach will be accepting entries from now through January 7, 2024. Winners will be announced in early February 2024.
- PLACES - Colmobil Group Offices – Rosh Haayin | "We transformed the enormous space for a relaxed, intimate and harmonious work environment for the well-being of the employees."
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Berco Designs, A Leader in Manufacturing High-Performance Tables Announces Its New VP of Sales / IIDA NY Extends Application Deadline for Third Annual Hazel Siegel Scholarship / Steelcase Recognized for Advancing and Women / NELSON Worldwide Names New Principals, Associate Principals to its Path to Principal Program / Chemetal and Treefrog Highlight New Materials, Honor Milestone at BDNY / BIFMA International Announces New Membership Services Director / Roopa by Arper: A Bold Statement for any Space
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 9, 2023
- AMQ Introduces Cluvo, a Height-Adjustable Desk that Hits the Mark on Style and Price - Cluvo joins newly reinvigorated Activ Pro, AMQ's flagship height-adjustable desk, which recently underwent a transformation of its own to relaunch as Activ Pro 2.0.
- Stephen Says - "The Story Behind the Story." - by Stephen Viscusi - This week I wanted to dedicate this advice column to take you inside the column. How it is written and who each column is written about. The "Stephen Says" title is a tribute to advice columns that have been around for years, such as "Dear Abby", "Ask Amy", "Carolyn Hax" and "Ask a Manager".
- The Business of Furniture Thursday Evenings - Now published Thursday evenings, containing all of the latest industry news from the week, special feature editorials, and the latest product introductions. BoF now keeps you even more informed of everything happening across the industry, with same day/week reporting from events and shows.
- Herman Miller Expands OE1 Workspace Collection Designed by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin of Industrial Facility - Introducing OE1 Sit-to-Stand Table, OE1 Powerbox and Power Tray, and other essential pieces for agile workspaces.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: The Women's Edge and The Boston Globe Name Creative Office Resources #30 to the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts - Creative Office Resources named to the Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts for the second year in a row. This annual award highlights women business leaders who are making a significant impact on the state's economy.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Concertex Expands Tekloom Product Offerings - The new offerings include two new Tekloom woven patterns – Maze and Recess.
- The Red Night: The Salone del Mobile.Milano Returns to Shanghai With an Exclusive Event, Testament to the Strategic Importance of the Chinese Market for Made in Italy Design - After a three-year absence, the Salone del Mobile has made its return to China to support the Made in Italy companies through the processes of development, growth and marketing, previewing the 62nd edition of the trade fair in Milan in April and future projects for the Salone del Mobile.Milano Shanghai.
- NaughtOne Introduces Percy: A Bold, Versatile Lounge Chair - The latest addition to NaughtOne's collection, Percy is a statement piece and a supremely comfortable sit.
- Herman Miller and Design Within Reach Bring 3D Product Visualization to Retail Sites - The investment by MillerKnoll is part of a broader trend in the office furniture space to provide visual configuration tools and customized configurators by outlet and audience. 3D Product Configurators by 3D Cloud by Marxent unlock limitless opportunities for customers.
- Photos: Live From EDspaces 2023 - Day 3 of the show concluded today at noon in Charlotte, with a positive vibe shared by all of those who attended the proceedings at the Charlotte Convention Center. Through enlightening education sessions, immersive tours, and the buzzing show floor, the event expanded horizons by exploring new possibilities for school and campus learning environments.
- BEYOND, HLW's Integrated Sustainability Specialty Sector, Recenters Focus on Holistic Approach to Environmental Transparency and Responsibility - Performance-driven Team Drives Deeper Commitment to Healthy Spaces and Regenerative Practices
- Mannington Commercial Becomes First Flooring Manufacturer Member of Build Reuse - Company Joins National Roster of Organizations Dedicated to Recovery, Recycling and Reuse of Building Materials in the United States
- BuzziSpace: Enhancing Workplace Productivity through Innovative Acoustic Solutions - BuzziSpace offers innovative acoustic solutions to enhance workplace productivity. Their products, such as BuzziBlox, BuzziDesk, and BuzziBooth, effectively reduce noise pollution, provide privacy, and create a focused work environment.
- Allseating Receives Sustainability Seal-of-Approval Across All Product Lines - "As a company, we're proud that each of our teams has contributed to ensuring our products meet the demands of modern healthcare environments and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future."
- UPFRONT: As Daylight Saving Ends, Humanscale's Nova Task Light Shines - With video calls becoming a staple in the hybrid work model, the shift in daylight could impact how people present themselves digitally.
- PLACES - Balanz Offices – Buenos Aires | The layout was arranged over a completely open floor, with no barriers to access, so as to facilitate movement between the works of art displayed in the offices.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Landscape Forms Appoints Brittany Conroy as Business Development Associate for Ohio Team / DIRTT Construction Partner ForBuild Announces Expansion Plans / HNI Corp. Achieves Better Climate Challenge Emissions Goal / Semiton by Arper: The Solution for Workspace Flexibility / The Mitchell Group Introduces Three New Products / Meet Central from Scandinavian Spaces / NeoCon Opens Call For 2024 Programming / Interface Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 2, 2023
- 9to5 Seating Launches Innovative New Task Chair Tori - Bellini-designed task series delivers style that elevates work spaces.
- Stephen Says - "What's Your Side Hustle?" - by Stephen Viscusi - None of our client companies, who pay a full salary and benefits, along with a 401K, vacation, and business expenses, are expecting a person to have a second career.
- Maars Living Walls Announces Acquisition Led by Nimbus - Nimbus is a private investment company that has been operating for close to 25 years, with offices in the Netherlands, Germany and United Kingdom.
- Arper Shows Support for Ethical Architecture in Cultural Exhibition A Lot With Little - A Lot With Little showcases the work of international architects from the Global North and the Global South, engaged in sustainable solutions for housing, education, transformation of existing buildings and disaster-relief. It features projects with a social dimension that have had a positive impact on the community. The contributing architects provide multiple interpretations of a common mindset, overcoming a lack of resources with creative ingenuity. "
- BOS Opens New Showroom In Chicago River North - BOS recently opened a new Inspiration Center in Chicago's River North neighborhood.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: SupplySource and Tanner of Pennsylvania Join Forces - "Both companies are looking forward to combining our operations, growing with the market, and sharing our combined experience with current and new customers."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: HON Storyline: A New Chapter In Connection - Storyline includes a wide variety of reconfigurable possibilities with multiple table height options, including seated, counter, and standing.
- Thinkspace Brings Life-Changing Wellness Pod to North America - Award-winning, Neuron Activation Pod stimulates the nervous system guiding the body into a meditative state. 10-minute cycle reduces stress and anxiety. Technology is credited to boosting energy levels and reducing stress for doctors, nurses and administration at the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- UPFRONT: New Launch from Flos | 2097 Matte White - The 2097 chandelier was originally designed in 1958 by Sarfatti with the goal of ushering the classic Murano glass chandelier into modernity.
- Caroline Murphy Joins SANDOW DESIGN GROUP as Design Engagement Strategist - "As a young design professional herself, Caroline has a keen understanding of the needs and opportunities of designers in this demographic and is extremely passionate about connecting and activating this growing this community in creative and meaningful ways."
- Hightower Launches Updated Website - At a macro level, the revitalized Hightower site aligns with the company's general brand ethos.
- Tarkett Launches Full Collaborative Suite, Debut Collection of Soft Surface and LVT from VP of Commercial Design Omoleye Simmons - Designed with the modern workplace in mind, Tarkett's Collaborative Collection features a mix of patterns that give spaces the agility to meet changing demands and embrace neurodiverse work styles, offering solutions for busy, collaborative areas as well as quiet, heads-down zones.
- Industry Expert and Manufacturing Owner Bill Melnik Makes Strides to Finalize Purchase of Woodlore International Inc. - Owner of BRC Group and Tayco will Secure Woodlore International in the Coming Weeks.
- IIDA NY Celebrates 21st Anniversary of Color Invasion - IIDA NY's annual premier networking and social awareness event will welcome guests with an experiential journey inspired by the Gala of Thieves theme.
- PLACES - Knauf Regional Offices – Dubai | We created an industrial yet chic space that uses raw elements to promote sustainability. Flexible workspaces are also available through the structural work we have done with the mezzanine.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Havwoods Announces Bog Oak Flooring, Derived from Centuries-Old Logs / EDmarketplace Now Available to EDmarket Member Independent Dealers and Manufacturers / OM5 Active Nest Supports A Versatile And Creative Future / Paris Podcast Festival Winner - Sofa, Looking for Togo / Spectorgroup Opens Miami Office and Unveils New Website / Spacestor Pledges Largest Donation To Date to Depaul International / Mannington Commercial Announces Partnership with Appalachian Carbon Exchange for Carbon Offsets and Environmental Programs / J+J Flooring Revitalizes Atmospheric & Organic Raku Collection / Steelcase Named to U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Best Companies to Work For
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 26, 2023
- Stef Schwalb: What's Ahead for the Future of Work? Ambiente May Have the Answer - "The combination of home and office, lifestyle and workstyle will continue to define our living and working environments in the future."
- Stephen Says - Hiring "Out of the Box" = "Out of Business" - by Stephen Viscusi - My experience is that this happens because outsiders feel more comfortable with other outsiders. It is sort of an "equalizer", yet it turns out that all these outsiders can hurt morale, culture, and revenue.
- Gen Z Insights: 8 Big Ideas to Supercharge Your Workplace Culture - The exciting thing about gen Z is that the conversation is shifting around to foster engaging dialogues across every generation that can help your team grow together and create a workplace culture all want to be a part of.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Office Resources Announces its Expansion into Birmingham - The company is acquiring the Alabama operations of Empire Office.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Kirei Launches Seven New EchoLine Acoustic Panels - Each panel in the collection can be sized down and custom-cut, allowing designers to craft spaces that bring their exact vision to life.
- Carnegie Introduces Full Spectrum Collection - Building upon the recently refreshed Xorel Meteor line, now boasting 81 shades, The Full Spectrum collection adds 16 vibrant bolds and quiet pastels to Carnegie's best-selling Biobased Xorel brand, allowing limitless opportunities to mix and match.
- French Startup, Fleet, Accelerates International Expansion - Fleet is already looking at expanding in other countries in Europe such as Italy, Portugal and Netherlands in 2024.
- Italian Design Brands Establishes US Presence with New Flagship Showroom for Meridiani and Davide Groppi - This incredible space, spanning two levels designed by Andrea Parisio the artistic director of Meridiani – situated between the renowned Lexington Avenue and 32nd Street – will serve as the beating heart for presenting the exclusive residential and contract collections of the two brands.
- NEW IN CLASSIFIEDS: MOD is looking for a Territory Sales Representative! - This candidate will work to promote our products by working with our sales team as well as directly with manufacturers, dealers and designers in the commercial and contract furniture industry. Find out more on page 94.
- Thinkspace Welcomes Maria Jones as Inside Sales Coordinator to Elevate Expanded Product Offerings - A vibrant woman-owned company, Thinkspace is dedicated to bringing life back to today's workspaces.
- Bjelin Expands US Reach with Spartan Partnership - Bjelin's commercial hardened wood floors are three times stronger than engineered wood floors, while more dent and water-resistant.
- Landscape Forms Announces Industry-Leading Sustainability Initiatives - "Our Life Cycle Analysis Initiative is an important achievement in our ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability at Landscape Forms and also in the way we're looking to guide our industry moving forward."
- Resource Furniture Celebrates Its Roots with Clei's 60th Anniversary - Today, Resource Furniture and Clei continue to innovate in step, with the latest launch a reinvention of Clei's original wall bed, the LGM – which now is customizable with a TV monitor integration, fold-down and removable 4-seat table attachment, and seamless LED lighting. As Clei evolves its line of wall beds, Resource Furniture will bring its breakthroughs to this side of the Atlantic.
- New President Hired for Camira Group in North America - Two complementary organizations with iconic brands and deep American roots provide significant synergies to deliver on-trend designs, exceptional quality and service, and award-winning features.
- Wool in Focus: the Sustainable Thread in Humanscale and Kvadrat's Partnership - Why wool? Utilized in eight of the nine textiles for Humanscale, this natural material holds a suite of benefits that align remarkably well with the brand's commitment to sustainability and long-lasting quality.
- PLACES - AstraZeneca Offices – Sofia | The infusion of AstraZeneca's distinctive warm color palette, complemented by the choice of oak veneer surfaces and ergonomic furnishings, led to the creation of a hospitable and inspirational environment.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Solomon Coyle 2023-Q3 To Q4 Market Outlook Report Now Available / HON Showcases Amenities Driven Workplace as the Premier Sponsor of ISG Industry Week 23' / Nevers Appoints Isela Chavez as Territory Sales Specialist / Configura Becomes Reseller of Twinmotion / HNI Recognized on U.S. News & World Report's 2024 List of Best Companies to Work For / 3 is a Magic Number: Furniture Firm Launches Collaboration with Leading Design Studios / Original BTC Launches First-Ever Portable Light / USM Adds a Limited Edition Colourway to its Modular Furniture Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 19, 2023
- Pacific Office Interiors Joins Unisource Solutions to Expand Its Presence in Southern California - Unisource Solutions remains committed to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in serving clients across California.
- Stephen Says - "You Really Love Your Job? For Some People That Might Be Hard to Believe" - by Stephen Viscusi - To me, the goal of any workplace environment should be contentment and happiness. As far as I'm concerned, you're doing this whole work thing exactly right. The only thing nicer than enjoying the job you have, is enjoying the people you work with.
- Bockus Payne Announces Leadership Transition - These promotions represent the first phase of a multi-year process through which the firm will pass leadership responsibilities on to the next generation of professionals, while maintaining the legacy of quality work the team has built over the past 36 years.
- NEW IN CLASSIFIEDS: MOD is looking for a Territory Sales Representative! - This candidate will work to promote our products by working with our sales team as well as directly with manufacturers, dealers and designers in the commercial and contract furniture industry. Find out more on page 90.
- Ultrafabrics Upgrades the Promessa Collection - The brand's premier textile collection introduces new colors, a backcloth made of eight recycled plastic bottles and removes anti-microbial additives.
- FSR Announces Strategic Partnership with The Farm to Expand AV Services in the Pacific Northwest - Leading AV Provider FSR Teams Up with AV All Stars The Farm to Deliver Comprehensive AV Solutions and Support
- Less is More: HBF Introduces the Karina Armless Guest Chair - Beautiful organic forms combined with superior craftsmanship update the essence of Scandinavian furniture design.
- CIFF Guangzhou 2024: The Must-Attend Event for International Players Across the Entire Furniture Industry - The 53rd edition of CIFF Guangzhou, the most important and comprehensive business and product sourcing platform serving the entire global furniture industry, will bring together manufacturers, designers, buyers and traders, experts, and media from all over the world for an eight-day trade fair event to offer new solutions, creating profitable connections and concrete business opportunities.
- Momentum Celebrates the Wellness Impact of Rituals with Latest Textile Collection - Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering has introduced Ritual, their newest textile collection designed by Linsay Bittinger, created to channel the positive impact rituals have on mental and physical wellness.
- Kimball International Announces Third Season of the Alternative Design Podcast and New Blog - Alternative Design podcast episodes can be accessed through podcast apps, including Spotify, Apple iTunes, and Google Podcasts.
- Teknion Renews JUST 2.0 Label - Teknion was recently reassessed and granted an updated JUST 2.0 label valid until September 2025, where Teknion increased its score in five key areas: pay-scale equity, physical health, well-being, animal welfare, and equitable purchasing.
- 3form Elements Expands Acoustic Collection With New Hush Blocks - Hush Blocks are now available for purchase—designers can choose from an array of 24 different shapes using 6 bases, and each offered at 3 different depths.
- Configura Highlights CET Experience and Honors 2023 CET Award Winners - The CET Awards were created to honor and celebrate talented professionals who have created outstanding and innovative spaces using CET.
- AHF Products Enters Tile Category with Purchase of Assets of Crossville - Two complementary organizations with iconic brands and deep American roots provide significant synergies to deliver on-trend designs, exceptional quality and service, and award-winning features.
- Iwan Baan: Moments in Architecture - The exhibition features examples from all areas of Baan's work since the early 2000s and includes film footage as well as rarely published photographs of traditional and informal architecture around the world – from the round Yaodong villages of China to the rock-hewn churches of Ethiopia, from self-built multi-storey dwellings in Cairo to the Torre David in Caracas.
- PLACES - Electronic Arts Offices – Bucharest | The outcome is an office space characterized by the cleanness of the work environment contrasted by the colored and shape explosion of the "thematic areas" which are dispersed around the space.
- INDUSTRY PULSE & FIRST LOOKS - Is Your Storage Standing Up to Student Use? / Dealer Management Development Program For Steelcase Dealers / Rottet Collection's Ovo Mirrors and Dark and Stormy Table are Honored / Spazio by Aceray / RBW & Yabu Pushelberg Introduce: Glyph / Seamless Separation: Wire Mesh Dividers Ideal for Contemporary Office Harmony
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 12, 2023
- Pivot Interiors Opens New Design Center in Los Angeles - The Pivot Los Angeles Design Center (LADC) will serve as an office and design center for employees and architects, and a showroom for clients.
- Stephen Says - "Can Ozempic Help You Get a Better Job?" - by Stephen Viscusi - As far as your weight or anyone else's and finding a new job or getting ahead… I have rarely ever heard that weight was a major consideration in people making a hiring decision.
- Humanscale Announces Global Partnership With Kvadrat - The manufacturer of high-performance ergonomic products introduces its global partnership through the offering of nine Kvadrat textiles.
- NEW IN MARKETPLACE: Independent Reps Wanted - Legrand, the leader in floor-based power and cable management, is currently seeking independent rep groups to manage the Connectrac and Wiremold brands to the furniture dealer channel. Find out more on page 84.
- Scandinavian Spaces Introduces RUT - A mod modular system that's worth the commute.
- Nook Takes Home Top Award at The 13th Annual North American Office Products Awards (NAOPA) - Stewart Brown of Nook receives Best Product: Furniture and Design award from NAOPA
- Pearson Lloyd Play Creates Pupa: An Experiment in Biotechnical Design - Pupa comprises circular economy materals, while a playful off-screen process led Pearson Lloyd to a new formal expression in Pupa.
- New Enterprise Account Manager with 12+ Years Experience Joins Cyncly - Cyncly's end-to-end software solutions connect professional designers, retailers and manufacturers to the world's largest repository of product content, enabling them to simplify complexity, grow sales, increase efficiency, and drive innovation.
- Steelcase Partners With Ecomedes To Make Sustainable Product Sourcing Easier - The online platform will help Steelcase customers access environmental product information and identify solutions that help them achieve sustainability goals.
- ORGATEC 2024: Strong Response in the Registration Phase - In addition to the events in Cologne, Koelnmesse is strategically expanding its portfolio in key growth markets around the globe like with the successful shows ORGATEC TOKYO in Japan, interzum bogota in Colombia and interzum guangzhou in China and interzum forum italy.
- IIDA NY Presents Third Annual Hazel Siegel Scholarship - Paolo Cravedi has been appointed to the position, where he will focus on product sales and distribution to specialty retail stores.
- AHF Products Opens Showroom/Design Workspace in Plano, Texas - Leading manufacturer of hard surface flooring offers industry professionals a broad selection of natural wood, resilient, engineered tile and laminate for residential and commercial projects.
- Móz Designs Introduces Six New Colorways Inspired by National Parks - The Expanded Patinas Collection Brings Naturally Weathered Elements to Metal Surfaces.
- Bjelin Launches Medium-sized Panels - Size Medium is available in a commercial matte finish, which is Bjelin's best lacquer to date.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: COE Distributing Ranks Among Pittsburgh's Largest Private Companies for 2023 - National office furnishings distributor COE Distributing once again ranks among the Pittsburgh region's largest privately held companies, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times.
- GIVING BACK SPOTLIGHT: IIDA NY's Buffalo City Center Renovates Compass House - Revitalized Public Spaces to Help Homeless, Runaway Youths in Western New York
- PROJECT SPOTLIGHT: New Chicago Office for Janus Henderson Group; Teams with JLL to Achieve LEED Platinum Certification (by Ware Malcomb) - The design complements Janus Henderson's hybrid workforce, with meeting and small break-out spaces, a welcoming reception space, and an open work café and large lounge spaces that promote collaboration within the office.
- UPFRONT: HON's Ignition 2.0 Awarded Best Office Chair by NY Times - The New York Times Wirecutter has included the HON Ignition 2.0 as the best budget friendly office chair out of dozens of office chairs tested by ergonomic experts, test panelists and editors.
- IN MEMORY: Beverly Willis, FAIA, 1928 – 2023 - "We share with deep sadness the passing of our dear founder, Beverly Willis FAIA, a titan in many fields, who showed us, among other lessons, that women can have many careers as they grow and find their true voices."
- PLACES - Heineken Offices – Ho Chin Minh City | This innovative space embodies the essence of Heineken's legacy while embracing a vibrant and modern atmosphere.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Humanscale Celebrates 40-Year Anniversary / DIRTT Selected for Major Energy Headquarter Projects in Houston / NeoCon Welcomes Nubia Henderson as New Director of Programming / Moody Nolan Atlanta Welcomes Garfield Peart As Director of Operations / Heller's Limbo Available for Order with Four Week Delivery Time
- FIRST LOOKS - Launch of Dessana / Mom from emuamericas Delivers Durability and Style / Stefan Diez Elevates Conference Table Design in Latest Collection for HAY / Mannington Commercial Launches the New Composition Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 5, 2023
- Top 5 AI Tools for Design Firms - Who in the industry should be experimenting with these tools? As Eric Klooster aptly expressed, "the more the merrier." The broader the spectrum of industry players, from manufacturers to architects, designers to developers, and corporate real estate professionals, who utilize these tools, the richer our understanding becomes.
- Kimball International is the First Manufacturing Company to Achieve WELL Equity Rating - "The WELL Equity Rating acknowledges the efforts of so many team members in ensuring we achieve inclusion within our spaces."
- LightArt Introduces Minimalist Fixture With Limitless Configurations - The Casper Collection's versatility provides designers with a blank canvas to explore their creative vision.
- MillerKnoll Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results - Highlights include Full year adjusted earnings guidance increased to a range of $1.85 to $2.15 per share, and Organic order growth of 2.1% for the Americas Contract segment over the prior year.
- Stephen Says - "Changing Your Career? It's Easier Than You Think" - by Stephen Viscusi - No matter how big the dealer is, there is always a manufacturer's line they do not sell. This will usually be a wall line, fabric or floorcovering. Approach those companies directly and give them the hard sell.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: MillerKnoll Earns "Best in Class" Excellence in Supplier Diversity - "It's an honor to be acknowledged again by the Great Lakes Women's Business Council."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Ligne Roset's Togo Celebrates 50 Years - Atom is a subtle and sophisticated fabric imagined by Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons for Kvadrat.
- DEALER SPOTLIGHT: Creative Office Resources Announces Move to 16 Madison Square West, New York City - "At 16 Madison Square West, we're not just moving into a new space – we're embarking on a journey as a united team, bound by a shared vision."
- CIFF Shanghai 2023: Big Figures Tell a Story of Success - With the theme 'Leading New Modes of Consumption, Serving New Patterns', the Fair was divided into eight themed areas and hosted four side events (CIFF WMF, CIFF Trend Life Aesthetics Exhibition, CIFF Commercial Office Space Exhibition, and CIFF Urban Outdoor Exhibition), thus bringing together the entire furniture industry under one roof over four days.
- Allsteel Introduces Beyond Thin Framed Door Solution: A Balance of Functionality and Aesthetics - The Beyond Thin Framed Door exemplifies Allsteel's dedication to innovation and the creation of solutions that seamlessly fuse form and function within the workplace.
- Good Company Table, Designed by Loll Designs - As with all of Loll's outdoor pieces, the Good Company table is made from ultra-durable high-density polyethylene (HDPE), made partially from recycled materials, making it durable enough to stay outside all year long.
- Kimball International Launches New Pods Category - "Our Kolo Pods and Om Pods create spaces where employees and guests can feel comfortable and confident to do their best work."
- Heller Targets Specialty Retailers, Creates New Executive Position - Paolo Cravedi has been appointed to the position, where he will focus on product sales and distribution to specialty retail stores.
- OFGO STUDIO Announces The Addition of ECO+ To Its Laminate Collection; A Sustainably Manufactured Solution - "Sustainability plays a key role for many of our customers in deciding which furniture to select."
- Catalyst Consulting Group Strengthens Public Sector Team with Industry Veteran Ryan Hay - Catalyst Consulting Group is a consulting firm dedicated to empowering furniture manufacturers and distributors to thrive in the highly competitive and misunderstood landscape of federal and public sector sales.
- Studio TK Introduces Artifort Compass Table, a Personal Table For Flexible Lifestyles - Available in two wood finishes, Artifort Compass Table emphasizes that less is more, lending its simple yet tasteful build to accommodate a wide variety of necessary configurations.
- Work Nicer Coworking Perfects Flexible BYOD Presentations and Meetings with Airtame - Members of tech-forward Canadian coworking community use Airtame to quickly screen share any content to digital displays from any device, including virtual meeting apps and presentations.
- Beyond the Desk – Spacestor Launches a Program of Immersive Events - All evenings have an element of kinaesthetic, tactile experience, with hands-on workshops and practical learning opportunities, as well as competitions to flourish creativity and compete for prizes.
- Perkins&Will Opens Studio in Philadelphia; Grows its Northeastern US Practice - The global architecture and design firm's new studio will enhance its client offerings in the sixth-most populated U.S. city and strengthen its regional presence.
- Configura Updates Its Manufacturer List With New Q3 2023 Partnerships For Commercial Interiors Library - CET Commercial Interiors brings designers, salespeople and dealerships together into one software to design, specify and visualize products for commercial spaces using real products and pricing.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale Honored in Fast Company's Brands That Matter 2023: Pioneering the Future of Sustainable Manufacturing - "Our goal is to pioneer new ways of operating sustainably, not just for us, but for the entire industry."
- PLACES - WorkBetter Coworking Offices – Sofia | A colorful and functional office extension for WorkBetter coworking, featuring a journey through different space mission themes, incorporating art and vintage in one.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Interior Design Trade Marketplace Daniel House Club Onboards 16 Additional Vendors in Q3 / Moody Nolan Announces Rebrand / Mayer Fabrics Welcomes Julie Tang to the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan Territories / EMU Group Appoints Enrico Cavallari as CEO / Ware Malcomb Named to Inc. 5000 List of Fastest-Growing American Private Companies for Sixth Consecutive Year / Interface Named to the 2023 TIME100 Most Influential Companies List / NEW Catalogs Available on 2020 Cloud Pricing
- FIRST LOOKS - Studio TK Expands Base Finishes for the Beloved Cover Lounge Chair / Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet & Leather and Caroline Kepley Launch New Reverie Rug Collection / Introducing Glide TV: The Future of Collaboration Is Here
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 28, 2023
- DEALER SPOTLIGHT: HB Workplaces - Sprague Studios Celebrates Grand Opening - "All the support and collaboration from our team has been instrumental in bringing this new space to life."
- Stephen Says - "How To Find the Best Salespeople Today – What Not To Do" - by Stephen Viscusi - It's okay to want to hire a "rockstar," but everyone starts off somewhere. And, if you're having trouble hiring, I recommend everyone involved remove terms like "rockstar" and "hunter" from the vocabulary.
- Offsite Prefab Construction Company Falkbuilt Celebrates Arcosanti Design At Hotel Valley Ho In Scottsdale - Arcosanti, an experimental community north of Phoenix, inspired Falkbuilt designers and architects.
- The Pedrali Pavilion: A Stage of Beauty, Tradition and Innovation - 60 years of company history through the inauguration of the Pedrali Pavilion, designed by AMDL CIRCLE and Michele De Lucchi, and of the exhibition "Pedrali60, we design a better future" curated by Luca Molinari Studio.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Flos Appoints Barbara Corti as Chief Creative Officer of The Brand - Corti, who has been global Chief Marketing Officer at Flos since 2017, and since 2019 a member of the Steering Committee – the committee formed by the CEO, the Design Curators, and the CMO for defining the brand and product strategies – will move into her new role in October.
- 3form Introduces New Collection of Architectural Textures - The glossy textures refract light and shadow, providing visual privacy by whimsically obscuring the natural contours of objects and individuals in the background.
- Keilhauer Expands Marketing Leadership Team - Susan Anderson joins as VP of Marketing & Customer Experience while Sarah Lostracco joins as Senior Marketing Manager
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Herman Miller Gaming and G2 Esports Launch Limited-Edition Embody Gaming Chair - "This chair represents Herman Miller Gaming's first-ever esports product collaboration, and G2 is the perfect partner."
- Formaspace Introduces RGX Adaptive Lab Casework - RGX modular casework by Formaspace transforms laboratories with adaptability, fast installation, and lead times as short as 8 weeks.
- Stylex Launches Oko, a Sophisticated Lounge Chair Designed by LucidiPevere - Crafted in the U.S. with special consideration for the environment, Oko is Level 1 certified and available in CET, making it easy to specify.
- Tarkett Donates to Dalton Police Department - Tarkett's definition of "team" extends beyond its company walls. Tarkett said it hopes its ballistic shield donation will inspire other manufacturers in the community to also consider donations to support local law enforcement and safety agencies.
- Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering Unveils New Handcrafted Wallcovering Designs Celebrating American Craft and Artisanship - The designs throughout the collection are all made to order and completely handmade – no machinery is used during the production process.
- Sherwin-Williams Releases 2024 Industrial Wood ColorMix Forecast - Emerging Styles in the Wood Finishing Industry
- Carl Hansen & Søn Launches 60th Anniversary CH07 Shell Chair - To mark the anniversary edition of the CH07 Shell Chair, Carl Hansen & Søn has mounted a small brass plate engraved with Hans J. Wegner's signature and design year. The anniversary edition will only be available for purchase from October 1 to December 31, 2023.
- Innovative Dynamic Office Chair Promotes Movement and Prevents Pain, According to Latest Study - The Movably Pro chair stands out with its unique ability to stimulate movement through tactile prompts, which assist users in transitioning between sitting and standing every three minutes without significant work surface adjustment.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale Met and Exceeded its 2022 CSR Goals - As they continue to track progress for 2023, Humanscale's forthcoming goals are progressive, ranging from piloting a circular product model to achieving at least a 92% waste diversion rate.
- PLACES - Optylon Krea Offices – Lisbon | The greatest challenge was introducing the necessary infrastructure in a low-ceiling space and avoiding constricted areas.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - The 2023 Keilhauer Sustainable Design Education Fund is Now Open for Submissions / HLW Hires Melissa Strickland as Managing Director of New Jersey Office / Ankrom Moisan Celebrates 40 Years of Architectural and Interior Design Excellence, Innovation, and Community Impact / Paul Koch Joins Dyer Brown, Seasoned Design Expert with Owner's Perspective, to Lead Retail Practice
- FIRST LOOKS - Luna Textiles Introduces New Collection to Celebrate Iconic Textile Trends / Daltile Launching New Tile & Stone Collections / Introducing Missana / Now Available: Muuto Fall 2023 Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 21, 2023
- Creative Office Resources Acquires OFI - "COR's acquisition of OFI will amplify their collective talent, elevate their ability to serve the industry, and extend their geographic reach, all with the singular aim of enriching service to clients."
- Stephen Says - "Why You Should Make Your New Employees Update Their LinkedIn the Day they Start!" - by Stephen Viscusi - To my readers who are candidates changing jobs and understand this trick (stalling to update your LinkedIn): consider yourself outed or outdated! Either way, your boss or your HR will be catching up with you sooner rather than later.
- Steelcase Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results - Earnings per share increased 35% compared to the prior year driven by strong improvement in gross margin.
- The Playtime Collection from Concertex - Explore and celebrate the shapes that shaped us, the colors that connected us, and the patterns that still make us smile.
- First MillerKnoll Showroom Debuts in Dallas, Texas - Customers are invited to experience the best of the MillerKnoll collective in one dynamic space.
- Majority Of American And Canadian Workers Blame Their Workplace For Recent Respiratory Illnesses, According To Survey By Fellowes - As workers more deeply understand the connection between workplace IAQ and their health, leading organizations have updated their guidance to equip employers with the knowledge they need to protect their employees.
- EF Contract Launches the Textural Kasuri & Kimono Carpets - The foundational patterns and tempered colors make Kasuri & Kimono a natural fit for corporate interiors, public areas looking to add warmth, retail spaces, and even education, particularly higher education.
- Giulio Ridolfo and Schiavello Come Together for The Next Evolution of ColourLab - The new palette of powder coats, timber stains and laminates has been developed with the intention to suit a broad variety of environments.
- Three H Announces New Hires and Promotions - Shawn Popovich has been promoted to Regional Sales Director and Johnny Picklyk has been added as a sales manager.
- Teknion Introduces the Smooth Felt Hoodie Screen: Blending Home Comforts with Office Productivity - The Hoodie Screen is made of soft-to-the-touch PET felt which quiets your surroundings as well as the opportunity to bring accent color into a space.
- Chemetal Launches Curated Collection of Darkened Metals - The curated Blackened Metals Collection features an array of options to fit a range of budgets and design needs.
- BuzziSpace Appoints New CEO & Announces New Role for Former CEO and Founder - "I am very excited to take up this new role and continue to build not only a strong brand but also a strong organization with a very high focus on customer experience."
- PurOptima Launches Revolution 54 Plus In The US: Adaptability Meets Acoustic Performance for Today's Workspaces - Completely adaptable, Revolution 54 Plus glass walls mean this unique glass wall can be easily adapted between single- or double-glazed systems to accommodate our client's changing design requirements.
- Interface – Celebrating 20 Years of Smart, Beautiful and Responsible Design with the Heritage Collection by FLOR - Premium Area Rug Brand Refreshes Three Archival Products for Milestone Achievement
- UPFRONT: Landscape Forms Named by Fortune and Great Place to Work as a Best Workplace in Manufacturing & Production for a Fourth Year in a Row - "Receiving our fourth Fortune Best Workplace award is a testament to the enduring passion, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence that defines our manufacturing team."
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Leading the Industry, Humanscale Opens First Showroom in Seoul, South Korea - Championing Sustainable Design, Humanscale's expansion into South Korea Reinforces its Global Commitment
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: McCann Becomes Indiana Furniture's CFO & Vice President of Finance as Kreilein Retires - McCann began her career as a Senior Auditor with Procter & Gamble after earning a Bachelor's of Business Administration degree from University of Cincinnati, as well as a Master's degree from North Carolina State University.
- PLACES - PwC Service Delivery Center – Katowice | The functionality of the office was designed to encourage employees to return to the company's headquarters after a period of remote work during the pandemic.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Jonathan Matta Steps Into Newly Created Role as KI's Research Manager / COE Distributing's J.D. Ewing Honored With Prestigious Top Workplaces Leadership Award / Matter Surfaces, Inc. and Mats Inc. Awarded Sourcewell Contract / Elevated Unveils Human-Centric Spatial Analytics / KI's Katie Clark Recognized With EDmarket's NexGen Rising Star Award / Virtual CEU: Journey of a Textile Presented by Mayer Fabrics / Zero Emissions Day 2023: Humanscale's Commitment to Planet Positivity
- FIRST LOOKS - Herman Miller Introduces Fuld Nesting Chair Designed by Stefan Diez / Nomad Finds a Workplace Abode / Isle Table: A Softer More Domestic Feel to Modern-day Commercial Furniture / Luum Textiles Launches Organized Complexity Collection | Exploring the Connection Between Humans + Nature
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 14, 2023
- ON THE COVER: AMQ Activ Pro 2.0 - Activ Pro, AMQ's flagship height adjustable desk, is evolving and getting an update to the new Activ Pro 2.0. It's everything you've loved about Activ Pro but better. Activ Pro 2.0 will have an adjusted BIFMA height range to support the widest range of users, improved install times that are 40% faster, and built-in cable management contained within all the bases. All this, at the same great price point!
- ERCO: LED-lighting for Future-Proof Office Design at Zaha Hadid Architects in London - Making the office desirable: ERCO lighting supports responsive design and staff wellbeing in future-proof revamp of Zaha Hadid Architects office.
- Going Green: Join Dauphin And Our Commitment To Coral Reef Conservation - Inspired by the infinite variety of underwater worlds where no coral reef is like the other, Reefs system seating provides solutions for the open office environment by offering comfortable structures with visual and acoustic privacy.
- Vitra Unveils the ACX by Antonio Citterio - Developed by Vitra in Switzerland, the ACX is up to 100% recyclable.
- Stephen Says - "How Do I Go From A Dealer To A Manufacturer's Rep?" - by Stephen Viscusi - It's very true – if you represent one of the majors, it can be very difficult to get them to hire you unless your boss at the dealership signs off on it directly.
- Highlighting Sustainable Design Manufacturing Practices During Pollution Prevention Week - For Pollution Prevention Week (September 18-22), let's explore the revolutionary strides these brands are making in the realm of sustainable manufacturing and design.
- Salone del Mobile.Milano Obtains ISO 20121 Certification for Sustainable Events Management - The Salone will contribute to the occasion with Design with Nature, the installation created together with the architect Mario Cucinella in 2022, as part of the 60th anniversary edition of the trade fair.
- Spaces by Ware Malcomb: Industrious 30 Adelaide Street East - The overall interior spaces reflect the clean, modern and bespoke aesthetics that are hallmarks of the Industrious brand.
- NARBUTAS @ Paris Design Week - Participating in Paris Design Week for the first time, NARBUTAS is included in one of the four places to visit during the event, so the showroom is expected to receive an influx of interior designers, architects, dealers and other visitors interested in the products.
- TOKO Honored with Best of Products Award by Architects Newspaper - Toko's freestanding design enables relocation or reconfiguration as well as independence from traditional building architecture, without incurring the costs associated with conventional drywall construction.
- SMPS-NY Inaugurates New Executive Committee and Board of Directors for 2023-2024 Term - The newly elected board members represent a diverse and accomplished group of individuals, each bringing unique insights and expertise to guide SMPS-NY into the future and honor its rich history of fostering excellence in the AEC marketing and business development community.
- UPFRONT: Allsteel's 345 N. Morgan Experience Center Achieves LEED Gold Certification - "Throughout the entire design process of our Experience Center at 345 N. Morgan, we were focused on creating a space that promotes collaboration, one that aligns with our commitment to sustainability, and supports our clients and the design community in their endeavors."
- EXPANSION SPOTLIGHT: ERG International Announces Acquisition of West Coast Industries - "This strategic move aligns seamlessly with our growth objectives as we seek to diversify our business and capitalize on our synergies."
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: COE Distributing Receives Fourth-Consecutive Top Workplaces Award with Leadership Accolade - "We're always thrilled to receive the Top Workplaces Award but earning top marks for confidence in leadership in 2023 is especially meaningful."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Camira Launches Eco-friendly Fabric Inspired by Sportswear - "Just like the best sportswear, it provides comfort and freedom of movement, whilst bringing a contemporary look and feel to any and every interior space."
- GIVING: Help Celebrate the Life of Emily Clingman - The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and photography exhibition featuring Emily's amazing works of art for family and friends to gather and support each other and to remember and celebrate her.
- PLACES - Timbro Offices – Sao Paulo | he chosen building has a facade with details in oxidized copper sheets, in a greenish hue, referring to one of the products imported by Timbro, copper.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - IIDA NY Presents 8th Annual BuffCon / Lesro Welcomes New Manufacturer Representative - Inline and Company / Lectra Joins the CAC Mid 60 and SBF 120 Indices / Ware Malcomb Announces Peter Priebe as Director, Special Practices
- FIRST LOOKS - Comfort And Care: The Benefits Of The Kiwi Bean Bag Chairs / BuzziPebl Light: The Harmony of Light and Acoustics / Multiple Choices LVT from J+J Flooring Brings a Wide Selection of Patterns to a Single Collection / Anthros: This Chair Checks ALL The Boxes
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 7, 2023
- Keilhauer Introduces an Office Chair That's Just Foryu - The latest office chair from the North American furniture manufacturer provides ergonomic comfort for every body.
- Stephen Says - "Our Showroom Staff Has An Image Problem" - by Stephen Viscusi - Believe it or not, sometimes people need to be told how you expect them to look on a day-to-day basis. Shocking, I know. But in furniture showrooms, there had been a lot of leeway because not every job is what we would call a "customer facing" position.
- Herman Miller Announces Launch of Herman Miller Vintage - Herman Miller and Wright join forces to celebrate timeless design with an exclusive 100-piece capsule collection of rare vintage pieces.
- AMQ Hits the Road with Tailgate Tour to Have Some Fun and Introduce New Products at 84 Dealerships Across the Country - From September – November the AMQ Dealer Days Tailgate Tour will be coming to a town somewhere near you.
- Only 29% of American and Canadian Workers Describe the Indoor Air at Their Workplace As Very Clean - According to Fellowes' Annual International Day of Clean Air Survey: "Workers today are more knowledgeable of the risks associated with poor air quality and are looking to their employers to make the necessary improvements to keep them safe and productive at work."
- Humanscale's Path Chair Garners Triple Honors in Fast Company's 2023 Innovation by Design Awards - Path is certified climate positive, emphasizing that its creation not only reduces harm but actively benefits our planet.
- Display Technologies at LG's HQ Engages Customers and Employees - Global tech leader's LEED-platinum regional headquarters campus demonstrates how new digital display technologies are transforming attractions, offices, education, and more.
- Oracle Chooses MillerKnoll for New Milanese Office Space - With the goal of enhancing quality of life at work, the office highlights the best in sustainable, ergonomic design.
- Enzo Costantiello is AMQ's New Regional Sales Manager for West Region - "His sales leadership and understanding of the western United States market is just what AMQ needs as we experience unprecedented sales growth in that part of the country."
- BuzziSpace's Acoustic Solutions Transform Karl Kübel Schule's Learning Environments - Their solutions not only addressed acoustic challenges but also shaped collaborative environments within the German technical school.
- The Signs For a Successful Third Edition of ORGATEC TOKYO in May 2024 Are Extremely Good - Last year ORGATEC TOKYO explored how good design can influence ever changing societies, workstyles, and lifestyles, and transform them for the better.
- DIRTT Continues Expansion Across Construction Partner Network - CMS Interiors, Inc. is a specialty contractor that serves the San Diego, California area and specializes in acoustic ceilings, door hardware, doors, and frames.
- Lenovo HQ in Mexico City - Ware Malcomb recently completed construction on a new headquarters for Lenovo, located in the Santa Fe district of Mexico City. Ware Malcomb provided interior architecture and design services for the 29,060 square foot project.
- UPFRONT: AIA Chicago Announces 2023 Lerch Bates People's Choice Award Finalists as Public Voting Opens - Winners selected by the public in open voting starting today will be announced on September 28 at Designight 2023, AIA Chicago's signature award program, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago's Millennium Park
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Thinkspace Expands Market Presence Across North Central United States with Addition of Two Dynamic Sales Groups - Lyons Group & JSA Design Resource provide coverage across six states: Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Northern Illinois & Wisconsin
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Phase Two of the Merger Between Officescapes, Floorz and Elements Includes a New Business Structure that Prioritizes Customer Experience - "We know our clients benefit when we take a holistic approach to creating inspiring space, focusing on people, place, and the built environment."
- GIVING: Help Celebrate the Life of Emily Clingman - The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and photography exhibition featuring Emily's amazing works of art for family and friends to gather and support each other and to remember and celebrate her.
- PLACES - project44 Offices – Krakow | The interior design project of the project44 office stands out for its harmonious blend of modernity, elegance, and functionality.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Landscape Forms Celebrates Four Red Dot Product Design Awards in 2023 / DIRTT to Voluntarily Delist from Nasdaq Exchange; Public Trading on Toronto Stock Exchange Will Continue / IFDA Educational Foundation Announces Grant Winners for 2023 / EDmarket Announces 2023 NexGen Rising Stars
- FIRST LOOKS - Hi5 Furniture's NIM Collection Brings the Outdoors In / Fräsch Introduces Latest Product Innovation: FELTLAP
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 31, 2023
- Remote Work Means New Opportunities for WPT Integrators - With remote and hybrid work models here to stay and employees demanding greater flexibility in where and how they work, organizations of all sizes are facing more pressure than ever before to create seamlessly integrated workspaces that will attract the new generation of workers that has emerged from the situation the pandemic has given us.
- Solomon Coyle Releases 2023 Compensation Report and New Interactive Compensation Analysis Tool - "This is a real game-changer for our industry. Starting with this release, users have the option of viewing report results that have been adjusted to reflect relative average wage levels in their US or Canadian statistical area."
- How to Connect with Designers Using CEUs - At ThinkLab, our passion is using data to drive decisions. When it comes to CEUs, our industry has historically been data-scarce in this area. Let's take a look at five data points to shape your CEU strategy...
- Stephen Says - "So You Got a Promotion and Now You Regret It" - by Stephen Viscusi - So, it's important to recognize that just because you're unhappy in your new role doesn't mean that you're a "bad" manager, or that you're not cut out to be a manager, but just that you are a better salesperson who enjoys finding business and closing deals.
- Humanscale Partners with A+I for Publicis Groupe's 'Clubhouse for Creativity' - By partnering with innovative firms like A+I and Publicis, Humanscale is leading the way in reimagining what a workspace can achieve – unlocking potential, nurturing creativity, and setting a benchmark for the future of office design.
- Return To Work Never Looked So Good: Hello CE2 - CE2 signals OM's commitment to outfitting the new workspace with people-first designs.
- Wolf-Gordon Introduces Conceptual Project: Human vs. AI-Generated Design - "Often, there is something about AI imagery output that gives us pause. We sense something different that reads as a visual misunderstanding, but, actually, these AI-generated re-presentations of familiar images might provide artists and designers with inspiration for their next steps."
- ABI July 2023: Architecture Firm Billings Remain Flat - Four in 10 firm leaders currently consider their firms to be understaffed.
- ORGATEC Reinvents Itself - The leading international trade fair for the future of work will return in 2024 with a new event concept that is designed to meet the evolving requirements of the world of work and is positioned even closer to the cutting edge.
- Clear Design Launches new COVE Pod Line with a Modern Design - Private workspaces help people find their focus or collaborate with peers.
- Bendheim Launches Comprehensive Sustainability Program - "Building a Clear Future" Signals Company's Commitment
- Configura Set to Host Premier Corporate Event of the Year: CET Experience - This year's symposium will be marked by new unveilings and initiatives that will help shape the future of the commercial interior industry.
- markilux Unveils MX-4 to the US Market, an Electric Full Cassette Awning with Advanced LED Technology - The new awning redefines outdoor living by marrying timeless aesthetics and cutting-edge LED technology, setting a new standard for design and functionality.
- Studio TK Recognized as a Finalist at the 2023 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) - Pico's unique lines and curves ensure a captivating view from every angle. The lounge chair beckons a feeling of comfort, inviting unrestricted movement and embracing a range of seating postures.
- Pulp Studio Introduces DermaAR, an Innovative and Versatile Ultra-Thin, Acid Etched High-Strength Glass - Pulp Studio expands its DermaGlass offering to include DermaAR, a Matte Finish Option for Back Painted or Graphic Interlayers Where Weight and Durability are Key Factors.
- UPFRONT: Carnegie Announces Acquisition Of Xorel Artform Manufacturing Division Of DFB Sales - "DFB has been a trusted partner in manufacturing our Xorel Artform panels over the past eight years."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Kimball International Launches New Panel System and Product Enhancements - Simple to specify and quick to install, the Etarran panel system highlights smart design and durable materials.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Dallas-Based WRG Acquires Houston-Based OP, Paving the Way for a Thrilling New Partnership - The acquisition brings together not only complementary services and expertise but also a shared set of values that prioritize integrity, teamwork, and excellence.
- GIVING: Help Celebrate the Life of Emily Clingman - The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and photography exhibition featuring Emily's amazing works of art for family and friends to gather and support each other and to remember and celebrate her.
- PLACES - Saint Deem Technology Offices – Beijing | The reception area features materials such as anodized aluminum panels, white decorative panels, and deep grey carpets, creating a harmonious and layered silver-grey tone.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - LSM Announces New Partners / KFI Studios Unveils New Website / EDmarket Announces Solomon Coyle Project Management Training / Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet & Leather Launches 4th Annual Rug Design Contest for Interior Designers and Architects / Robert A.M. Stern Architects Announces Promotions - Two New Partners and a New CEO
- FIRST LOOKS - Mayer Fabrics Launches The Revival Collection: Arc + Beaux + Retro / The Flo-Bed and Bedside / EF Contract Enhances Kinetex Offering with Sound & Surface / BuzziSurf: The Versatility of Light and Acoustics
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 24, 2023
- Humanscale + Mangrove Work&Stay: A Symbiosis of Design, Ergonomics, and Sustainability - In the quest for a more sustainable future, the partnership between Humanscale and Mangrove Work&Stay stands as a remarkable model for the hospitality industry.
- Heller Celebrates the Outstanding Design Achievements of Hlynur Atlason & Atlason Studio - One of the newest members of Heller's Next Generation of Modern team of rising-star designers, Atlason is the mastermind behind two of the brand's most recent product launches.
- Landscape Forms' Team Continues to Grow - Adding a new sustainability leader and two new members to its business development team.
- Stephen Says - "Dealers a Necessary Evil? I Think Not" - by Stephen Viscusi - Furniture dealers play an important role that all manufacturers need and should respect. They sell and service your product in a way you never could. They do the grunt work, service accounts and your customers on a local level in a way you can not.
- INTERIOR DESIGN Announces 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees - "This year's extraordinary group of inductees exemplify the wildly diverse segments that together define 360 degrees of design."
- Indiana Furniture's Rockstar Enhancements Bring Unparalleled Comfort to Task Seating - The line now offers two styles: Rockstar Roadie and Rockstar Headliner. Rockstar Roadie brings you a slim design with big comfort, while Rockstar Headliner steals the show with an ultra-thick, sink-into-it design—both are perfect for individual workspaces, meeting rooms, and more.
- Unika Vaev Introduces its Latest Acoustic Product Collection by Abstracta - Moon, a globe-shaped acoustic lamp designed by Thomas Berstrand provides high quality directed lighting with exceptional sound-absorption.
- Configura Expands Dynamic Product Offerings with Launch of CET 14.0 Minor - "With the launch of CET 14.0 Minor, Configura aims to be a leading solutions provider for commercial interior and material handling design."
- Resource Furniture Expands E-Commerce Offerings with Eight Additional Wall Beds - Each wall bed features a wide range of customization options and configurations to suit various needs and aesthetics.
- ASID Honors Winners of 2023 National Awards Program - Recipients Recognized for Transformative Work in Interior Design.
- Fantini Continues to Support the Design Community With New Ventures - To further support the design community, Fantini has recently launched a new CEU - Behind the Scenes: The Inner Workings of Luxury Plumbing.
- IIDA NY Chapter Inaugurates President for the 2023-2024 Term - "I see a unique opportunity at this point in history to plant seeds for the future that engage our industry in a more comprehensive and inclusive way. My goal is to foster a community where we can learn from one another and support each other in unexpected and phenomenal ways."
- Legrand Launches New Outdoor Charging Stations with USB-C and Outdoor Rooftop Box - Outdoor charging station with an LED accent light to enable device charging during the day and after dark. Accent light ensures the station stands out from standard bollards and clearly indicates charging. Station includes one duplex GFCI Receptacle and one 4-Port USB Outlet.
- Flos Taccia Matte White: Sculptural Sophistication - The history of Taccia continues today, thanks to the collaboration with the Achille Castiglioni Foundation.
- UPFRONT: Arper Announces its Move to Fulton Market - "North America remains the cornerstone for Arper's continued global growth. The move to Fulton Market puts us at the center of one of the most vibrant urban areas, offering the best mix of retail, hospitality, and living."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Kirei Unveils the Polygon Cloud, a Revolutionary New Spin on the Fan-Favorite EchoStar+ - A Part of Kirei's Tessellate Collection, the Polygon Cloud Offers Both Convex and Concave Options for Dynamic Acoustic Design
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: MillerKnoll Brings Solar Power to U.K. Operations Facility @ PortalMill - The facility will offset 140 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to 347,509 miles of passenger car exhaust – almost 14 trips around the Earth.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: AMQ Announces Hiring of Marisa Boedeker as Newly-Created Regional Sales Manager for East Region - "We are thrilled to have Marisa join the AMQ sales team in this brand-new role. She brings with her a wealth of industry experience and a proven track record in sales."
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Chilewich Names Melissa Villa as Senior Vice President of Contract Sales - In her new role, Villa will lead the Chilewich Contract domestic and international sales force as well as the established network of international distributors for Chilewich Contract design solutions.
- GIVING: Help Celebrate the Life of Emily Clingman - The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and photography exhibition featuring Emily's amazing works of art for family and friends to gather and support each other and to remember and celebrate her.
- PLACES - JERDE Offices – Shanghai | The décor within the space presents a refreshing combination of Chinese and Western styles. The entrance design adopts the museum's visual guidance approach while paying homage to the firm's legacy.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Solomon Coyle Accepting Registrations for Fall Session of Project Management Training / Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover Georgia, Alabama, and FL Panhandle / Perkins Eastman Is Proud to Welcome New Principal Ray Brower / Landscape Forms Appoints Roy Chan to Board of Directors
- FIRST LOOKS - BuzziBurner: The Power of Light and Acoustics / Leland Furniture Launches New Baraga Stool – A Traditional Seat in Modern Materials
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 17, 2023
- Stephen Says - "Dealer, Dealer, On The Wall!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I'm in my mid 40's, I like where I work, but I have aspirations of owning my own dealership someday. Before I worked at this dealership I worked for #Steelcase. How do I get started in opening my own dealership? Is it even possible for someone like me?
- Leading Commercial Furniture & Interior Solutions Provider Empire Office Promotes John Gols - As President, Northeast, Gols will lead the sales efforts in the New York region, acting as a liaison with local key players within Empire's network of manufacturers and clients as well as setting the direction, goals, and vision for the company's efforts in these markets.
- dancker Names Meg Nelbach to Serve as Senior Vice President, People + Culture - A true change agent, Nelbach has consistently demonstrated proficiency in building and enhancing HR infrastructure, expertly assessing and implementing systems, processes, and talent that align with overall business strategy.
- For Scientific Innovators, Svigals + Partners Blends Modern Style with Magnetic Warmth in New Research Headquarters - Agile lab and office settings also deliver a welcoming, productive home for transformative work by cutting-edge biotech leader, Quantum-Si, located in a growing East Coast tech hub.
- Pulp Studio Appoints Kirk Johnson as Chief Executive Officer - With more than 25 years in the glass industry, Johnson started on the production floor and has worked in every aspect of the business from cutting, tempering, lamination, insulation, and fabrication to sales and executive roles.
- Kirei Debuts Dash Tile and Texture Tile, Two Tactile Acoustic Wall Solutions - Part of Kirei's Tessellate Collection, these two acoustic tiles feature simple yet elegant patterns for endlessly creative wall designs.
- Brentano Launches Fall Favorite Things Collection - Like a song on repeat, the Brentano Design Studio's latest collection is a compilation of patterns and textures that bring to life their hearts' desire.
- Space to Pause: Schiavello Launches New Valli Sofa Collection - Valli is a collection of three seating styles - each available as single, two or three seaters - designed to foster a new space to pause, imagine and connect in the workplace.
- HNI Corporation Reports Earnings for Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 - Plans to Divest its Poppin Business Unit - Initially, Poppin raised around $34 million from investors in A, B & C rounds and even made it onto Crain's Fast 50 list in 2017 and their Best Places to Work list in 2019.
- Get Fresh Data and Insights in Eptura's Workplace Index | Q2 - The latest edition of the Eptura Workplace Index takes a deep dive into the tension between freedom and connection, exploring how to address key employee concerns while driving your business forward.
- Enwork's Newest Products Make an Impact at NeoCon 2023 - Best of NeoCon Gold and HiP Award marks an unforgettable year for the Michigan-based furniture provider.
- LightArt's Coil Collection Receives a Declare Label - After years of mastering its internal waste streams to create the original Coil Collection, LightArt wanted to push its capabilities as a planet-conscious manufacturer.
- UPFRONT: Beyond Surface-Level Sustainability: Humanscale Eliminates Harmful Chemicals - Humanscale has consistently brought industry issues to light including the norm of using stain-resistant coatings on textiles.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Reinvention Meets Sustainability: Arper's Aava 02 and Juno 02 Set New Design Standards - Anchored in sustainability, Arper is creating a future where aesthetics, functionality, and eco-consciousness intersect seamlessly, a testament to the timeless beauty found in innovative transformations.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Omni Workspace Acquires Turnkey Project Services of Fort Worth, TX - Turnkey Project Services joins national project and facility services group and will grow base of operations.
- GIVING: Help Celebrate the Life of Emily Clingman - The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and photography exhibition featuring Emily's amazing works of art for family and friends to gather and support each other and to remember and celebrate her.
- PLACES - DB Financial Investments Offices – Seoul | The seating and meeting areas are varied based on the function they serve, many private and semi-private offices are situated on the perimeter while comfortable sofas and seating for small groups are arranged in the middle.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Carl Hansen & Søn Acquires Danish Lighting Manufacturer Pandul / Sadaf Jafari Joins SGA: Leading Sustainability Practice Across Boston and NYC Offices
- FIRST LOOKS - Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet & Leather Introduces the Algarve Collection / STRATAWOOD: An Exceptional Acoustic Solution Offering a Heightened Aesthetic and Easy Installation
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 10, 2023
- We apologize for the recent email issues. - Our services have been upgraded and issues should now be emailed and received correctly. Due to recent subscriber additions (and expanding our industry reach), we have had some email problems. Some subscribers may receive duplicates or last week's issue again as the issue is finally fixed and past issue are re-sent, and can expect emails to be delivered correctly and timely moving forward. Thanks - Bellow Press Editorial Team.
- Stephen Says - "The Pandemic Sales Spike is Over: My Boss Doesn't Get It!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Your story is one I hear almost every day from sales leadership executives. I explain to our client companies (owners and CEO's) the need to consider adjusting sales goals to align with pre-pandemic numbers especially when there's no new product introductions.
- NeoCon Notes From a Newbie, Part 2 - Because there is so much to see and do in such a short time, it's challenging to capture everything, and of course, hindsight is always 2020.
- Encounter PowerBench by AIS: Expanded Design for Greater Choice - This next generation PowerBench can be designed for all environments. Now featuring two base options, the new metal H-Leg base gives a light, modern aesthetic, or the original enclosed laminate base for an upscale, traditional look.
- Spacestor Continues Its Impactful Partnership with Depaul International Through It's 'Give A Room, Get A Room' Initiative - "Through our modular meeting room system, Verandas, it is fantastic to be able to collaborate with clients to support Depaul International!"
- ASID Economic Report Outlines Interiors Industry Indicators; Shifts + Trends - Significant Lift in Dealer Bookings, Positive Bookings Forecast.
- Solomon Coyle 2023 Q2-Q3 Market Outlook Report Is Now Available - Significant Lift in Dealer Bookings, Positive Bookings Forecast.
- Tangram Interiors Contributes to Modern, Innovative Workspace for Tech Company Ember - Tangram Interiors recently completed a transformative space for Ember.
- Omni Workspace's Installation and Moving Companies Combine Operational Strength Under a Single Brand, Emerald Blue Work/Space Services - "We initiated this change to ensure we're positioned to serve our clients on a national level."
- Landscape Forms Announces New Performance Options for Ashbery Lighting - Landscape Forms has expanded its Ashbery lighting family to broaden its performance capabilities, allowing it to be used in a greater range of outdoor spaces.
- Allsteel Unveils 'Designed To Do Better' Sustainability Commitments, Alongside Parent Company HNI Corporation's 2022 Social Responsibility Report - "We believe tomorrow should be cleaner, safer, and more responsible than yesterday."
- Via Seating: New Outdoor Collections - Via Seating's outdoor collections bring forth a range of pieces with the best warranty in the industry and timeless appeal.
- UPFRONT: 9to5 Seating's Dream Chair Giveaway - Submit your dream chair by using the 9to5 Seating Chair Designer - The giveaway runs through Friday, August 18, 2023.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Pirra Lounge Brings an Indulgent Feeling at Every Encounter - The solid ash frame is constructed by a method known as wood turning, resulting in a look that preserves the orientation of the wood grain and highlights its natural beauty.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Shaw Contract Launches StudioOne - The suite of one-on-one services offered through Shaw Contract's StudioOne extends beyond flooring recommendations. StudioOne provides expert guidance—both in-person and virtual—from inspiration and DIY design tools to one-on-one design support.
- GIVING: Help Celebrate the Life of Emily Clingman - The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and photography exhibition featuring Emily's amazing works of art for family and friends to gather and support each other and to remember and celebrate her.
- PLACES - PSD Bank Offices – Berlin | Located inside a historic post office in Berlin-Friedenau, the design transforms the bank into a generous and welcoming neighborhood center.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - New Supplier Relationship / Design Within Reach Opens New Store in Ardmore, PA / //3877 Expands Interiors Team with Two New Designers / Moody Nolan Philadelphia Establishes New Office Space / Michael Lah Joins KI As Director of Industrial Design / Empire Office Promotes Jocelyn Corrigan to COO
- FIRST LOOKS - Herman Miller's Newly Named Eames Turned Stool Introduces a Fourth Shape Designed by Charles and Ray Eames, and a New Ebonized Ash Finish / New Table Options from Aceray / Tough & Timeless - Performance Luxury from Designtex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 3, 2023
- Navigating NeoCon, The Mart, Part 5 - We've covered a handful of showrooms at The Mart on floors 10 and 11 as well as some exhibitors on 7. That's means it's time to head down to floor 3 to highlight a few of the company reps we spoke to about what items they were featuring.
- Stephen Says - "Your Own Employees Are Your Best Recruiters!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Sometimes my client companies expect they should get free referrals from their employees. I totally disagree.
- Duravit Builds the World's First Climate-Neutral Ceramic Plant in Canada - Manufacturer of designer bathrooms becomes pioneer for sustainable sanitary industry.
- Enthusiast Gaming Announces Steelcase as The Official Performance Seating Partner Of Luminosity Gaming - Luminosity and Steelcase will collaborate on content featuring the team's content creators, players, and coaches, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at how Steelcase chairs enhance their gameplay.
- Pulp Studio Wins Best Glass Interior in 2023 Glass Magazine Awards - The David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, designed by Diamond Schmitt and Tod Williams/Billie Tsien Architects, features more than 8,700 sq. ft. of flat and bent laminated glass railings and guardrails.
- Lauren Rottet Wins Coveted Design Awards - Rottet Collection wins Prize Designs for Modern Furniture + Lighting.
- DIRTT Reports Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results - Second quarter 2023 revenues were $44.8 million, an increase of 0.1% from the second quarter of 2022 and an increase of $8.0 million, or 22% from the first quarter of 2023.
- Allsteel Adds Veneer Options to its Rise Product Offering - Because Rise movable pieces act like building blocks, there's no right or wrong way to design and configure the perfect solution for solo or team work.
- Mohawk Industries Reports Q2 Results - Across all regions, the company continues to see stronger results in the commercial sector than in residential.
- PurOptima Introduces New Demountable Product + Commits to Reduce Carbon Footprint - One of the key features of PurOptima products is that all of their modular glass wall partitions are demountable. These products are fully adaptable and relocatable, designed to be integrated quickly within any commercial interior, and can be moved seamlessly to suit the changing needs of the user.
- Keilhauer Launches Nova Textile - The North American furniture manufacturer introduces a new sustainable textile option to their customers.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale's 2022 CSR Report: Showing How Manufacturing Can Make the Planet Better - Humanscale also holds itself to a high level of social responsibility. It's evident in projects such as launching the Design for Freedom toolkit in collaboration with Grace Farms and architecture firms to combat child and forced labor.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 9to5 Seating Offers New Options for Mila Chair - Mila's new knit is a unique, innovative material that combines the visual appeal and support of woven fabric with the breathability and cool sit of knit.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: HON Parent Company HNI Releases 2022 Social Responsibility Report - "We understand the call to innovate and think about our resources in new ways. This year, across all HNI brands and departments, we found ways to further reduce energy consumption, emissions, and waste."
- GIVING: Help Celebrate the Life of Emily Clingman - The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and photography exhibition featuring Emily's amazing works of art for family and friends to gather and support each other and to remember and celebrate her.
- PLACES - East and West Offices – Modi'in | The Japanese references are subtle and present themselves through the choice of materials, the play of geometric patterns, and the hand-crafted woodwork detailing.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Institutional Associates Names Industry Veteran Kevin Longshore as Vice President / Moody Nolan DC Relocates to New Office Space / Ware Malcomb Announces Hire of Jason Golub as Regional Director / KOVA Welcomes Brent Sturgell as Head of HVAC Business
- FIRST LOOKS - Artcobell Expands Mobile Shelves Offering with New Options / FritsJurgens Introduces New System One Pivot Hinge
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 27, 2023
- Navigating NeoCon, The Mart, Part 4 - This time we'll be taking a look at some showrooms we headed to on the 7th floor.
- ThinkLab's Visionary Jeffersonian Dinners Forge New Paths for Local Design - The tradition of the Jeffersonian dinner began at the home of Thomas Jefferson in the late 1800s. Jefferson was known to invite the thought leaders and influencers of his day to share in conversation.
- Matt Skinner Appointed President of LOGICDATA North America - Skinner has previously served as Director of Sales for LOGICDATA North America and will retain this role.
- Stephen Says - "The Boss is Paying, So I'm Praying: Working for a Privately Owned Company" - by Stephen Viscusi - When you accept a job at a privately owned company, part of what you are accepting is the policies and whims of the owner. Whether it is prayer before lunch, a nap room or a frozen turkey, the boss is paying and so you either accept it or quit.
- Tangram Interiors Is Now a Certified Woman-Owned Business Led by Chairman Sonya Mitrovich Lozowski, MD - Mitrovich Lozowski brings years of experience to the table, having served as a Managing Member of Pacific Holdings and a Medical Director of a health center at the University of MI Health System.
- CIFF Shanghai 2023: Fostering International Cooperation and Business Channels - It's almost time! From September 5th to 8th, the 52nd CIFF Shanghai will warmly welcome all Chinese and international players in the furniture industry, offering effective business solutions in response to the big changes and new challenges of world markets.
- Lesro Introduces Chat - Uncomplicated in its design, Chat has the flexibility to provide guests with comfort and stability while enhancing the aesthetic of any space.
- JCJ Architecture Acquires Group One Partners - The combined presence of two industry-leading firms brings a diverse skill set, portfolio, and depth of experience to the New England and national markets.
- Designtex Continues to Combat Carbon Emissions Through a New Project in Uganda - Designtex's support for this project makes the technology accessible to small-scale farmers, helping to expand the role of biogas technology in this region and reduce carbon emissions from wood burning.
- Arcadia's Laris Lounge Invites Us to Settle-In and Stay Awhile - Arcadia's Laris Lounge chair combines traditional design elements with modern flair, featuring a statement-making exposed wood frame and generous, suspension-supported cushions.
- Biophilia's Lighter Side: 3form Launches All-White Ivory Flora Collection - New organics bring nature's calming textures to interiors.
- Móz Designs: Sahara Las Vegas - Collaborating with Innovativo Design and Doug Walton Architects, the large-scale renovation of the oldest hotel on the strip sought to restore the resort's legacy and glamour from the inside out.
- DPI Desk Panel Wins Red Dot Award for Product Design - "If updates or new features are available, it is fast and easy to update the Desk Connect app for the end user, providing extended longevity for the product."
- Turf Expands Global Sales Team - The brand grows team to include North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
- LOGICDATA Returns with Gusto to Las Vegas Market with Popular Line of Adjustable Bases for Maximum Product Functionality, Innovative Logistics - LOGICDATA's Domestic Inventory Program ensures cost-effective delivery while reducing acquisition costs, lead times and risk for retailers, especially compared to free on board (FOB) models.
- Landscape Forms Celebrates Its 2023 Landscape Architecture Foundation Scholarship Winners - Through its annual scholarships, Landscape Forms seeks to open new opportunities to increase the capacity and influence of the next generation of landscape architects in order to create a more just, inclusive, creative, and sustainable future for the profession.
- NELSON Worldwide Announces the Passing of John J. Nelson Sr., Founder and Design Principal - As an extremely proud Philadelphian, Mr. Nelson not only loved design, but all things Philadelphia. He was a complex man who came from humble beginnings, and he never forgot the underdog.
- UPFRONT: Nook Adds Representation in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico - The deal was sealed with a private tour of the Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, including a review of the Nooks onsite that are being used to provide a sanctuary space during the Stadium's sporting, concert and other events.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Revolutionizing Workspace Mobility with Humanscale's Active Pony and Float Mini - The Active Pony stool, a departure from traditional, static stools, promotes mobility by design. The stool has been recently updated to encourage movement, offering an effortless rocking motion of 7° in all directions.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Empire Office Certified as a Most Loved Workplace - "As a company, we emphasize the importance of providing a positive employee experience for our high-performing talent and ensuring Empire Office offers a place that encourages longevity for achieving personal and career goals."
- GIVING: Help Celebrate the Life of Emily Clingman - The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and photography exhibition featuring Emily's amazing works of art for family and friends to gather and support each other and to remember and celebrate her.
- PLACES - WRISE Offices – Dubai | The meeting rooms were designed with bespoke timber shelves, with some dedicated to storage and others to accessories. In the middle of each room is an AV system for video conferencing.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Kentwood Office Furniture Welcomes Kim Santana as General Manager for Chicago and Indianapolis Locations / LRS Architects Expands Marketing Team; Welcomes Mark Luke to Serve as Marketing Manager / Emser Tile Awarded 'Best Company to Sell For' and 'Best Team for Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion'
- FIRST LOOKS - InviAir Introduces Linear Diffusers: Seamless Appearance with Innovative Frameless Design / Latest from HON: Contain Storage / AHF Introduces Armstrong Flooring Natralis, a Stunning New Vinyl Sheet Collection from a Top Brand Name in Commercial Flooring
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 20, 2023
- NeoCon Notes From a Newbie, Part 1 - As a newbie to NeoCon, the event was a lot to take in, and I mean that in the best way possible.
- AMQ Launches Amobi Team Digital Display - AMQ Solutions announced the expansion of its Amobi Team family of mobile carts and walls with Amobi Team Digital Display. Amobi Team provides collaboration hubs, team storage, space division, writeable surfaces, and content display capabilities within a flexible framework that enables true mobility throughout the entire office space.
- Stephen Says - "Do I Still Need To Give Two Weeks' Notice?" - by Stephen Viscusi - There is absolutely no rule on when a person needs to tell their boss they're resigning for a new job, competitor or not.
- Cyncly Sees Artificial Intelligence Leading the Industry to Greater Value in Home Improvement Projects - Cyncly shares its perspective on the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for the home improvement industry.
- Celebrating Vice President of Textile Design Shantel McGowan's Two Decades of Design Brilliance at Momentum - "Shantel's loyalty, leadership and fresh approach elevate our work as a brand on a daily basis. It has been a pleasure to learn from Shantel in my first year with the brand, and I am thrilled to celebrate this milestone with her and our dedicated colleagues."
- Landscape Forms Actualizes Powerful and Optimistic Roundtable on Women in Landscape Architecture - Roundtable participants included women who lead design practices, divisions of large firms, and non-profit organizations, as well as serve in prominent roles in the public sector and academia.
- Allseating Launches Attune, a Dynamic Seating Series that Redefines Comfort and Adaptability - Designed in Collaboration With Award-Winning Aaron Duke and Firm, Studio Black Box, Attune Is a Futuristic Task Seating Solution That Adapts to the User's Body
- Introducing brandx, HLW's New Brand Experience Specialty Sector - "The clever and dynamic brandx team pushes the boundaries of signage as we know it, bringing a universal, approachable, and functionally driven method to the way we move within and interact with space."
- Moody Nolan Cleveland Welcomes Jodi van der Wiel as Principal and Senior Project Designer - Jodi rejoins the team to serve as a leader of the firm's design studio, Studio 9.
- HNI Releases 2022 Social Responsibility Report - HNI is making progress on the company's measurable goals contributing to its long-term growth and success.
- 41 Awards Presented in 2023 ASID NJ Design Excellence Awards - Designers could submit projects in residential and commercial / non-residential sectors. Winners spanned categories from Residential Single Space and Design for People With Specific Or Special Needs to Hospitality Space, Hotel, Restaurant, Club.
- AHF Products Announces William M. Bird as Distributor of AHF Contract Commercial Flooring in the Southeast - The AHF Contract Portfolio includes Homogeneous Sheet, Heterogeneous Sheet, Inlaid Heterogeneous Sheet, and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT).
- Chemetal Introduces Surface Mode Carve - Surface Mode panels are thicker and can be installed without a supportive laminate backer, which makes installation, using mechanical fasteners or wall panel system, easier and more affordable.
- Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of Houston - "We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Balden Contract Group as the newest addition to our esteemed team of representatives."
- UPFRONT: Empire Office Joins the DIRTT Global Partner Network - "We are confident in the benefits this partnership will bring to organizations looking to build more compelling spaces to work, learn, and heal."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: HON Partners With SEAQUAL INITIATIVE, Continuing To Make Sustainability A Top Priority - HNI's Textiles and Finishes Team has been leading efforts to introduce sustainable fabrics made from SEAQUAL YARN.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Landscape Forms Acquires Summit Furniture, a Leading Brand of Premium Outdoor Furnishings - Headquartered in Monterey, California with locations in Los Angeles, Palm Beach, Monaco and London, Summit Furniture has over forty years of industry leadership as the first choice in premium teak furniture for luxury hotels, elegant residential properties, premium cruise ships and yachts throughout the world.
- GIVING: Help Celebrate the Life of Emily Clingman - The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life and photography exhibition featuring Emily's amazing works of art for family and friends to gather and support each other and to remember and celebrate her.
- PLACES - Zoetis Offices – Shanghai | Over the past three years, Zoetis has garnered significant recognition as China's Best Employer, striving to create a work environment that goes beyond the traditional notions of a job.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - TPG Architecture Announces New Creative Director Scott Faucheux / Tarkett North America Unveils New Commercial Website / Allsteel Welcomes Kina Ingersoll as National A&D Director / Introducing Via Seating's Textile Compatibility Lookup Tool
- FIRST LOOKS - Introducing Swift 2.0 from 9to5 Seating and Momentum / Riva by Aceray Makes a Statement With Its Handcrafted Quality / Carnegie Launches Sustainable Fabrics Emphasizing Health and Wellness / Scraplight Linear from Graypants
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - Thursday, July 13, 2023
- BoF Thursday's - Published and emailed every Thursday morning to incorporate all the breaking news and product launches that happened at the beginning of the week.
- Navigating NeoCon, The Mart, Part 3 - Are you still with me? I hope so because we're not done yet. In fact, the latest installment of our NeoCon wrap-up report offers a look at some cool collaborations and prototypes, which was a big benefit for a first-time attendee and repeat customers too.
- Forty Years of Manufacturing Glass In Chicago And Skyline Design Is Only Picking Up Speed - Skyline Design is celebrating 40 years of manufacturing architectural glass for the contract design industry, all based in Chicago.
- Stephen Says - "My Employee Moved to Florida Without Telling Me, What Should I Do?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Like it or not, the office interiors industry, (including floor covering, furniture, lighting, textiles, etc.) has an even stronger feeling about this issue than other industries because, as I've said a million times in this column, if you're selling product in the office interiors industry the least you could do is to go to an office!
- Nassimi Reiterates Commitment to Environment with Release of Inaugural Sustainability Report - Report Summarizes Past Sustainability Milestones and Identifies Targets for Years Ahead.
- Installnet's Ecoserv Program Receives Top Product of the Year Award from Environment + Energy Leader - Ecoserv provides the processes, standards and metrics needed to recirculate workspace assets in a way that delivers value to companies and the community, without harming the environment.
- Office Revolution Names Jill Stewart President, Along With Additional Leadership Team Changes - Jill has more than 25 years in the contract furniture industry with extensive experience in both dealer and manufacturer arenas and several years in strategic sales, operations and design.
- AstraZeneca Unveils New Offices in Finland with Air-purifying Green Walls to Create a Well-being-first Work Environment - AstraZeneca has relocated its Finnish offices to the business and innovation hub of Espoo's Keilaniemi region. The brand new building features biophilic interiors created in collaboration with Naava. The science-led design brings nature indoors, creating a workplace that optimizes functionality while prioritizing employee wellness.
- Spacestor Introduces Curved Variations to the Palisades II Range - An elegant expression of architecture within architecture.
- Magnuson Group Launches the KASTA Waste Receptacle in Collaboration with Gensler - "Waste receptacles are often a tough spec for designers of commercial environments," said Scott Star, Director of Product Development at Gensler.
- Fräsch PIXL Delivers an Acoustic Solution Within a Design Accent - Made of PET, the felt panels that comprise PIXL are manufactured using recycled PET plastic bottles, eco-friendly dyes, and no added adhesive, resulting in a Green Tag-certified product that can help qualify for LEED green building credits.
- Pulp Studio Launches New CEU Course: Designing with Architectural Decorative Glass - "We are very excited to offer this new, comprehensive CEU to our course library. This course will provide readers with fundamental knowledge of glass manufacturing and fabrication used in buildings with the intent of creating buildings that exceed in design and performance, now and in the future."
- Dal-Tile Named Vendor Of The Year - Leading custom homebuilder, AR Homes, recognizes Dal-Tile as top supply partner for second time.
- UPFRONT: Arper Celebrates Plastic-Free July - In honor of Plastic Free July, Arper celebrates their wide range of sustainably designed products. Arper's Mixu chair was designed with sustainability at its core.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Tami From emuamericas Redefines Outdoor Luxury and Comforts - Featuring a comfortable, residential aesthetic, but its durable construction ensures it can withstand even the harshest elements.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Hightower Completes Rigorous Process - Earns B Corp Certification - Hightower has started updating the design and creation of products with more inclusive attributes and design features.
- EVENTS: IIDA NY Hosts 5th Annual Volunteer Fair - IIDA NY invites NYC-based designers to discover unique opportunities to engage with the community.
- PLACES - Holzrausch Offices – Munich | Holzrausch created a warm space with strong lines for their office space in Munich, Germany.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - LRS Architects Promotes Calista Fitzgerald to Associate Principal / IIDA Announces Winners of the 10th Annual Latin America Design Awards / Ware Malcomb Announces Promotion of Braden Blake to Director, Architecture in Phoenix Office
- FIRST LOOKS - BuzziSpace's New Collection: Transforming Spaces with the Power of Acoustic Lighting Solutions / New Introductions from Rottet Collection / Crossville Launches Access Point Tile Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - Thursday, July 6, 2023
- BoF Thursday's - Published and emailed every Thursday morning to incorporate all the breaking news and product launches that happened at the beginning of the week.
- Stef Schwalb: Navigating NeoCon, The Mart, Part 2 - As I continue to comb through all of my copious notes from NeoCon, I'm still struck by how much I saw and how many great conversations I had with pros from all over the country that were representative of the commercial interior design industry's numerous sectors.
- 9to5 Seating: NeoCon Recap - This year, 9to5 Seating brought back their Monday night Sips+Seating party with a new signature cocktail – the Bellini Bellini – in honor of their special guest Claudio Bellini, who designed their Cavo and Tori chairs.
- KOVA Debuts the Modwall Adaptable Room System: Enabling a Flexible Future for Workplace Design & Construction - The Reconfigurable Box-in-Box System Provides a High-Performing, Reusable Solution to Address Evolving Workplace Needs
- Stephen Says - "My Husband is Unemployed and I'm Beginning to Resent It" - by Stephen Viscusi - The truth is 18 months is too long to be unemployed in today's robust economy. He should be able to find something.
- ASID Ones to Watch: Meet the Next Generation of Diverse Design Leaders - The Ones to Watch Program Supports Promising Professionals from Underrepresented Communities
- Visionary Startup Arthroto Launches to Revolutionize the Future of Housing with DIRTT - Arthroto, in partnership with DIRTT, will meet the urgent need for affordable and sustainable development, converting unused office spaces into residential, mixed-use housing.
- Via Seating: 4-UP and Vooom - Henri Matisse once famously said "I don't think outside the box, I think of what I can do with the box". When Via Seating started thinking about sit-to-stand functionality and what kind of seating solution should accompany this type of experience, Via took that same holistic approach to the concept of sit-to-stand but also everywhere in between.
- Pair Collaborates with Gensler for Gradient, an Adaptable Workplace System - The future of work is dynamic.
- Landscape Forms Celebrates Great Place to Work Certification Again For 2023-2024 - "Our culture—the shared passion and common purpose that unites and inspires us—is a defining part of the Landscape Forms ethos," said Landscape Forms Chief Executive Officer, Marjorie Simmons.
- UPFRONT: Todd Bracher & Sergio Silva of Humanscale Launch Instagram Live "Design & Innovation" Talk Series - A Glimpse into Humanscale's Products, Design Trends, and Inspiration
- AWARD SPOTLIGHT: Via Seating Best of NeoCon Winners - Best of NeoCon Business Impact & Sustainability Awards This NeoCon 2023
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Office Furniture Solutions Unveils Rebrand, Changes Name to Castell - "The shift from Office Furniture Solutions to Castell reflects the journey our company has taken over the last 25 years," said Principal and Co-Founder, Bill Compton.
- CAREERS: Tangram Hires Mark Chaput as VP of Sales - As the former Regional Sales Leader at Steelcase, Chaput has overseen successful synergy between Tangram and their valued partner, Steelcase, for the past 9 years.
- PLACES - Marriott Offices – Shanghai | Ann Lee of Okamura designed a space for the Marriott offices that is light and functional for their space in Shanghai, China.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Southwest Neighborhood Library Pays Homage to the Surrounding Community / Pallas Textiles Is Graded In On Herman Miller Furniture / Perkins&Will's Dallas Studio Welcomes New Director of Practice Development / Architect and Designer Elina Cardet Joins Arcadis' Miami Office / Tickets to Configura's 2023 CET Experience Now Available / Ware Malcomb Announces Promotion of Jonathan Thomas to Principal in Seattle Office
- FIRST LOOKS - Bendheim Debuts Evolution Collection for Interiors / Bolon Studio is Back / The Hoom Collection by Encore Illustrates the Beauty of Curves
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - Thursday, June 29, 2023
- BoF Thursday's - Published and emailed every Thursday morning to incorporate all the breaking news and product launches that happened at the beginning of the week.
- Stephen Says - "Thermostat Wars at Work" - by Stephen Viscusi - With a thermometer at every desk, you can't regulate the temperature, but at least there's no debate on how warm or cold it is because you know exactly what the temperature is.
- Stef Schwalb: Making Our Way to Design Days in the Fulton Market District - Tuesday afternoon was dedicated to checking out a few showrooms in the Fulton Market District.
- Top 5 Most Influential Design Trends From Neocon 2023 - Along with capturing the trends they loved, the Trendspotters also all shared those they expected to see more of. One of those trends: more experiences, instead of simply showing product.
- Cyncly Launches Game-Changing Update to Industry Leading 2020 Office Software - New features and enhancements make bid presentations and getting client sign-off easier than ever before.
- NeoCon 2023 Celebrates Success With Robust Attendance and Engagement - Across Verticals and Show Floors, NeoCon Products and Programming Showcased Boundless Innovation and Prioritized Togetherness
- Fellowes Releases Rising Loft Rail System - Celebrating its 106th year under the private ownership and executive leadership of the Fellowes family, Fellowes is a global leader and trusted partner that provides product solutions to fulfill a broad range of WorkLife needs.
- BOLD Furniture Opens New Chicago Showroom, Focuses on Brand Expansion - "We've built a strong reputation as a trusted OEM. We will continue to provide these valuable OEM services to our partners, while also embarking on an exciting new journey of expanding our own branded product lines."
- Stump & Company: NeoCon 2023: Office Furnishings Show - Neocon is one of Stumps' favorite trade shows (June in Chicago tends to be a win!)
- ABI May 2023: Architecture Firm Billings Bounce Back - Nearly half of firm leaders think architecture staff productivity has declined compared to pre-pandemic levels.
- Landscape Forms Appoints Laura Flannery Sachtleben as New Director of Sales - Central Region - Currently based in Houston, TX, Flannery Sachtleben serves as the President of AIA Houston as well as the Chair of the Texas Society of Architects Government Affairs Committee where she ties her love of the architecture profession with her passion for supporting and advocating for the architecture profession as well as public education.
- ASID Appoints New Board of Directors for 2024 - New Board Will Further Interior Design Industry and Its Global Impact.
- UPFRONT: 9to5 Seating Continues Environmental Responsibility - The manufacturer has earned LEVEL 3 with HÅG SoFi and Ellie.
- AWARD SPOTLIGHT: The Results Are In... Cyncly Announces Winners of Global Inspiration Design Contest - After 850 submissions from around the world, a panel of industry judges decided on top designs in seven categories – in addition to a Grand Prize Voters' Choice award.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: BIFMA Announces Election of New Officers and Directors to the Board - Franco Bianchi, Brian Krenke, Jeff Lorenger, Marc Langeland, Rebecca Boenigk, Wilson Chow
- NOW REPPING: Landscape Forms Partnership with CDm2 LIGHTWORKS - "At Landscape Forms, we seek to bring our best-in-class design and placemaking tools to an international audience."
- PLACES - SAP Offices – Mexico City | The overall design concept is based on connecting the interior space with the exterior through architectural elements, lighting, vegetation, and geometries.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - JCJ Architecture Expands Tulsa Office With Key Senior Appointments / Lucida Surfaces Hires Yehuda Fisch as Regional Sales Manager / Configura Updates its Manufacturer List with New Q2 2023 Partnerships for Commercial Interiors Library / Studio Other Announces Katlyn Byrnes as Dallas Office's A&D Consultant / Ware Malcomb Announces Promotion of Chris Mavros to Principal in Dallas Office
- FIRST LOOKS - Resource Furniture Introduces New Line of Custom Fabrics for Wall Beds / J+J Flooring Launches its Latest Kinetex Style Digital / Global Previewed its New Willow Seating Series at NeoCon 2023
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - Thursday, June 22, 2023
- BoF Thursday's - Published and emailed every Thursday morning to incorporate all the breaking news and product launches that happened at the beginning of the week.
- Stephen Says - "My Experience at NeoCon - The Year of Independent Reps" - by Stephen Viscusi - Leaving NeoCon, I'm so happy to be in an industry that people love working in. An industry where people matter, where they can stay in it forever, even when they are not direct employees but independent partners, valued, and treated with respect, by the manufacturers.
- Stef Schwalb: Navigating NeoCon, The Mart, Part 1 - Unlike the Javits Center in NYC, which runs in a straight line equivalent to five football fields, The Mart's multiple elevators and floors make it a more adventurous experience. The reward? Seeing some amazing showrooms and booths firsthand and getting to speak with people face-to-face.
- DARRAN Launches Multiple New Collections at NeoCon 2023 - DARRAN Furniture, in collaboration with IDA Design studio, Mark Müller and Christopher Wright, as well as leveraging their internal Design Team launched multiple new collections at NeoCon 2023.
- Dan O'Malley Retires After 34 Years of Dedicated Service at Lesro Industries - Dan was hired by company founder, Adam Leshem, in 1989 as the Sales Manager where he played a strategic role in the company's growth and development.
- EzoBord Delivers Comfort and Privacy with 'Office-Ready' Acoustic Solutions - Kayra and PrivaSeat support productivity and well-being for the hybrid workforce.
- Ghent Announces Rep of the Year: Rodenbeck Associates - Rodenbeck Associates has a team of ten covering Southern California, Southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii with showroom locations in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County.
- TONIGHT: SMPS-NY Celebrates 40th Annual Liberty Ball - "Over the past year, our chapter has reconnected in meaningful ways," said Nathan Reyna, Chapter President of SMPS-NY.
- Creative Office Resources is Now a WBENC-Certified WBE - COR has continuously thrived by merging innovation, exceptional customer service, dynamic leadership, and a forward-thinking approach to meet the evolving demands of the modern workplace.
- GMi Companies Named a Winner of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Top Workplaces 2023 Award - "We are honored to have been selected as a Top Workplace in the Cincinnati region."
- Hushoffice Presents hushFree – A New Line of Acoustic Pods - A more flexible office guarantees the freedom needed. Each pod in the hushFree line provides the freedom to choose where and how to work while maintaining the highest acoustic comfort.
- Steelcase Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results - Year-over-year revenue and earnings growth realized in very dynamic environment / Outlook projects first half of fiscal 2024 being ahead of pace against full year financial targets.
- Clear Design Adds Height-Adjustable Desk to EDGE Casegoods Line - The EDGE line includes more than 20 modular casegood pieces in different finishes and sizes, allowing for the creation of unique configurations for each client's specific needs.
- Fellowes Announces Launch of Array, The Most Advanced Networked Air Quality System - Array gives building managers greater visibility and control over the quality of their indoor air and works with Fellowes' new cloud-based software, Viewpoint, to provide complete, real-time air quality data anywhere, on any device.
- LINAK Captivates NeoCon 2023 Attendees with DPI Desk Panel and Inspiring Office Furniture Solutions - Beyond the DPI desk panel, LINAK featured two unique furniture applications that foster a welcoming and inspiring workspace.
- UPFRONT: Corey Hutchins Returns to Formaspace as Chief Operating Officer - Hutchins previously served as Formaspace's Business Development Executive, National Sales Manager and Director of Sales consecutively from 2011-2019.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Magnuson Group Introduces BODEN High Performance Concrete Outdoor Bench - BODEN is made of glass fiber reinforced concrete, presenting a low-maintenance, strong, durable solution built to last indoors and outdoors. BODEN's durability comes from a multi-step production process that includes casting, curing, polishing, and sealing.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Intereum, a MillerKnoll Certified Dealer in Minnesota, Joins the PARIC Holdings Family of Companies - For over 40 years, Intereum has built a strong reputation, specializing in contract furnishings, audio visual solutions, and architectural products for commercial, healthcare, legal, finance, education, and public sectors.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Integra Seating Appoints Chandra Putnam as its New President - Putnam, who has served as director of sales and marketing for the past 19 years, will continue overseeing those functions for the immediate future, while taking on several new responsibilities.
- EXPANDING: Sandow Companies Expands Portfolio With Strategic Acquisition of Design Milk - "As home to the design industry's most read and respected content and services platforms, we are thrilled to welcome Design Milk to our company."
- PLACES - diningr:um Offices – Shanghai | The design team at Pronounced Design has captured their vision by creating a sleek, industrial-inspired office space that prioritizes functionality and environmental responsibility.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Landscape Forms Appoints Scott Reinholt, ASLA as New Vice President of Sales / Perkins&Will Promotes Robert Clemens to Managing Director of its New York Studio; Bill Harris Moves Into Expanded Regional Role / Ware Malcomb Announces Promotions of Leslie Espiritu and Moses Gonzales In Corporate Office
- FIRST LOOKS - Mantra Inspired Furniture Introduces the EarthPly Collection / 3D Cloud by Marxent Announces Early Access Program for 3D Cloud Room Scanner
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 14, 2023 NeoCon Live
- BoF Live @ NeoCon 2023 - Over the next five weeks, the business of furniture will be bringing you complete NeoCon coverage, from the latest products, the latest trends - and reactions from those that visited NeoCon and DesignDays in Chicago this year. It was a cooler NeoCon this year - with rain to start the week, but turnout was fantastic.
- AIS Introduces the New Chelsea Task Chair with an Elevated, Modern Style by German Designer Justus Kolberg - All Day Comfort, Timeless Appeal Make the Chelsea Must-Have Seating
- The Best Of NeoCon 2023 Winners - 114 Award Recipients Selected by a Jury of Industry Leaders Best of Competition Awarded to Flote from Hightower Group
- LightArt Announces the Promotion of Adam Reeder to Company President - Before his promotion, Reeder served as LightArt’s Vice President of Sales and Customer Service from 2016-2021 and then was named Vice President of LightArt in 2021.
- Humanscale Appoints Todd Bracher as Creative Director - A longtime collaborator of Humanscale, Bracher has served as a Strategic Advisor and Design Partner for over 15 years. The two have worked together to create several products and global activations, most recently including the award-winning Path chair.
- Photos: NeoCon and DesignDays - Full coverage from Saturday - Wednesday
Business of Furniture - June 10-11, 2023 NeoCon Special
- Here We Go Again: BoF's Guide to NeoCon 2023 in Chicago - Pages 2 - 313
- Trend Forecast For Neocon 2023 - Transformative Interior Solutions that Inspire Authenticity, Seamlessly Integrate Technology, Prioritize Stewardship and Well-Being, and Embrace a Global Perspective
- Happening in Chicago - Highlights of all the new products at both NeoCon and DesignDays, as well as maps, speakers, events, and more!
- DesignDays 2023 Chicago - Experience showrooms and pop-ups from over 35 design-led commercial brands in the vibrant Fulton Market District
- Web Configurator Studio (WCS) Unveils New Website and Introduces Innovative CPQ Product Configurator - At the heart of WCS's new website is the CPQ Product Configurator, a game-changing solution that empowers furniture manufacturers to streamline their sales process, enhance customer engagement, and boost their bottom line. With this configurator, customers can visually customize their furniture in real-time, selecting from a wide range of options for finishes, materials, features, and more.
- AMQ Unveils New Michigan Showroom - Because SMBs are a significant and growing portion of the workforce, AMQ wanted to learn more about how employees in this segment work to specifically address their workplace needs.
- NeoCon 2023: Keynotes & Featured Presentations - Pulling from diverse backgrounds and experiences and drawing inspiration from music, poetry, technology, and the power of community, this year's keynotes will explore how we can build a more sustainable, equitable and brighter future. The keynotes will be complemented by a number of featured presentations from industry thought leaders exploring topics ranging from rethinking the concept of occupancy in an evolved work landscape, to the power of design to be a force for good when it comes to social justice.
- NeoCon Workshops & Design Tours - Workshops will offer a deeper dive and more intensive onsite learning experience at NeoCon. Design Tours will feature designer led tours of the new Salesforce Tower in Chicago.
- NeoCon Experiences and Activations - Engaging installations and experiences will be activated throughout the floors of THE MART during NeoCon 2023.
- NeoCon CEU Sessions - NeoCon continues to provide unparalleled programming across a range of educational topics and categories with CEU accredited seminars that offer world-class expertise and insight on today's most relevant topics. This year, CEU programming will be offered both online and in-person. The NeoCon Programming Hub will open on Monday, June 5th and on demand programming will go live Monday, June 12th for viewing through August 15th.
- LOGICDATA and JIECANG Announce Confident Return to NeoCon - At NeoCon, LOGICDATA will market the OPTIMUS Program, a blend of products and services specifically targeted at manufac-turers (OEMs). From a strong quality basis, customers can create unique furniture powered by a choice of inline drive technology.
- Over 300 Pages - Your complete guide to everything going on in Chicago.
Business of Furniture - June 7, 2023
- Clerkenwell Design Week 2023: Sunshine & Positivity - Many of the exhibitors held, or sponsored, presentations or panel discussions led by international experts on topics as varied as workplace diversity, acoustics, hybrid working, sustainable practices and circularity.
- Stephen Says - "What Are We? Sales Managers or Head-Hunters?" - by Stephen Viscusi - I believe that the best sales managers are also the best recruiters. I consider it part of your job to participate with HR if your company is not attracting people organically.
- Allsteel Launches Brand Refresh: Designed To Do More - Our approach starts with collaboration and putting people at the heart of the experience," said Allsteel's President, Jason Hagedorn.
- Okamura Introduces Sphere - Experience effortless comfort with the 3D physical fit shell – designed to naturally conform to your body.
- LOGICDATA and JIECANG Announce Confident Return to NeoCon - At NeoCon, LOGICDATA will market the OPTIMUS Program, a blend of products and services specifically targeted at manufac-turers (OEMs).
- DIRTT Construction Partner Network Growing With New DIRTT Experience Centers - "These openings demonstrate the confidence our partners have in the value the DIRTT Construction System provides to their clients."
- J+J Flooring Relaunches the Hugely Popular Intrinsic Product – Now a Full Collection Featuring Refreshed Colorways and New Patterns - This collection is part of J+J Flooring's quick ship program, ensuring timely delivery for projects.
- Room & Board for Business Makes NeoCon Debut in the 2023 Show - Merging residential and commercial design well before the term "resimercial" was coined, Room & Board for Business continues to expand its offerings of timeless, and durable furnishings.
- Kimball International Debuts Chicago Showroom in Fulton Market District - The showroom space embodies Kimball International's continued research and insights into how to create thriving environments for work, health, and learning.
- Hightower Debuts New Showroom Design for NeoCon - An inclusive and fun space that wows while showcasing new products.
- COE Premieres New, On-Trend Finish for OfficeSource Laminate at NeoCon - "We're thrilled to bring this new offering to our wildly popular OS Laminate collection," said Melanie Ewing, chief marketing officer of COE Distributing.
- Fellowes Grows U.S. Manufacturing Capabilities, Expands Line of BAA and TAA Compliant 400 Series Paper Shredders - This powerful line of shredders is built with robust cutting blocks made from high-quality US steel and features Fellowes' proprietary 100% Jam Proof Technology.
- NeoCon: New Showroom For Nook - With its iconic house shape, extensive options and placement opportunities, NOOK fits perfectly in a variety of spaces.
- MillerKnoll Brings Design Works to Life for Fulton Market Design Days - As one of the early anchor tenants, MillerKnoll has helped shape Fulton Market into a premier design destination, taking the lead in creating the 'Neighborhood of Brands,' a group of more than twenty-five design-led companies with showrooms and trade spaces in the Fulton Market area of Chicago.
- Stylex Reimagines Workspaces with Six New Product Launches at NeoCon - With an emphasis on rich colors, soft lines, and natural elements, Stylex continues to expand its portfolio of modern furniture pieces, further solidifying its position as an industry leader.
- UPFRONT: Landscape Forms Announces Expanded Partnership with SESCO Lighting - "We are excited and grateful to expand our representation with Landscape Forms," said SESCO Lighting President and CEO John Palk.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: LINAK DPI Desk Panels – More Than Meets the Eye - Streamlined design, intuitive use, and built-in anti-collision sensor, all contained in one desk panel. The LINAK DPI desk panel series for sit-stand desks takes innovation and desk protection to a new level.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: ZGONIC Has Appointed ergoCentric As Its Exclusive Partner In Canada - "By combining ergoCentric's ergonomic seating, desks, and accessories with ZGONIC's acclaimed monitor arms, we are able to offer a truly ergonomic workstation that can fit 100% of Canadian office workers at the lowest total cost of ownership."
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Vetrina Way Investments Acquires Interior Contract Services - Interior Contract Services has a reputation for professional and personalized service from a team that takes pride in a job well done.
- PEOPLE: Tony Besasie Joins KI as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer - "Tony has a wealth of sales and marketing expertise and a creative, growth-focused mindset," said Brian Krenke, CEO of KI.
- PLACES - Malam Team Offices – Petah Tikva | The model we designed produces private spaces such as: executive rooms and meeting rooms, alongside open spaces with a central avenue that creates opportunities for formal and informal meetings in an urban atmosphere.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Keilhauer Promotes Ian Watson to VP of Sales / HNI Completes Acquisition of Kimball International / Lesro Welcomes New Manufacturer Representative / Keilhauer Announces CEO Transition Plan / Sarah Wortman Joins MG2 as Director of Marketing / Innovant Welcomes Melanie Delianides
- FIRST LOOKS - Maharam: Metered Stripe, Concord Stripe, and Ribbed Weave by Paul Smith / Vivant – The New Textile Collection That Revives Hospitality Spaces / Boomerang Desk from Ethnicraft / Bluff from Heller / Bjelin Releases Select Grading in the US
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 31, 2023
- ICFF and WantedDesign Head Back to NYC - Insight, innovation, and inspiration laid the foundation for ICFF 2023, with the three-day event that anchors New York Design Week bringing connection, conversation, and discovery to the design.
- Stephen Says - "I'm Thinking of Retiring, But Not Sure I Can Afford To. What Should I Do?" - by Stephen Viscusi - To answer your question, I say keep that job even if you have to fight for it. If you're exceeding your sales goal, that is a large part of what keeping your job is about.
- HBF Launches the Bao Collection by Alda Ly Architecture - Alda Ly Architecture (ALA) is an API woman-owned firm that provides thoughtful, custom interior solutions for organizations looking to rethink traditional retail, healthcare, office, and cultural spaces.
- Discover Indiana Furniture's Game-Changing Solutions For Today's Evolving Workspaces - "Our broadened portfolio effortlessly integrates to flex the style, function, and comfort of working spaces."
- IIDA to Inaugurate Ronnie Belizaire as 2023-2024 International Board President and Additional New Board Members at the IIDA Annual Meeting - "Ronnie's contributions both to our organization and to our industry cannot be overstated."
- Artcobell's Maker Space is an Adaptable Solution for Learning Without Boundaries - Whether it is using a 3-D printer, crafting with cardboard, or rolling up your sleeves and getting dirty, this is the space to build, share, and innovate.
- Kartell Wins At NYCxDesign Awards - Particularly innovative is the irregular, porous feel chosen for the extremely natural finish, almost like that of terracotta or ceramic.
- Limbo from Heller - New at NeoCon - Whether placed poolside, in a hotel lobby, or a living room, Limbo provides comfortable seating, with an eye-catching flair.
- Introducing Lives Post + Beam - A Revolutionary Approach to Enhancing Communication and Innovation in Team Based Working
- Arcadia Introduces Conduit, a Sleek Meeting Table Collection with a Natural Beauty All Its Own - To meet the needs of wide-ranging applications, Conduit is offered in modestly-scaled or more generous sizes, in 29-inch and 42-inch table heights.
- Silicone Symphony from Designtex - Thoughtfully designed and intelligently engineered, silicone is a superior alternative to traditional coated fabrics.
- Carnegie Fabrics And Modernfold Announce Partnership In Alignment With Sustainability Efforts - Carnegie Fabrics' flagship textile, Xorel, is now pre-approved and graded into Modernfold's supplier product database, simplifying the textile's specification process.
- KOVA Introduces Casework, A Customizable Whole-Project Solution - The Tailored Casework Program Meets the Unique Needs of Any Project, Rounding Out KOVA's Cross-Category Offering for Kitchen and Bath
- Teknion Introduces Tone An Entry-Level Task Chair - "Tone has been a real labor of love for us here at Teknion," said Julia La, Product Manager at Teknion. "We love to create quietly intelligent products, and Tone is just that."
- Studio TK Presents Trine, A Collection of Multi-Sized Stools - "Our collaboration with eStudi Manel Molina expands the concept of today's stools to provide users a useful yet seductive seating option."
- UPFRONT: ASID Committee on Adaptive Living Releases Senior Living Resource Guide - "As the population of older adults continues to increase, designers must pivot their work in order to foster supportive spaces that tackle the needs of this community."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: NARBUTAS Furniture Collection Wins Another Prestigious Award - The mobile, multifunctional NOVA Wood Multipurpose furniture system consists of three table models of different heights and lengths with distinctive frames and special accessories.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Kimball International Announces New Seating and Table Solutions - Kimball International's National brand launches three new collections: Connolly, Picado, and Mariben.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Marvel Recruits Neil Bartley - Throughout his career, Neil has honed an expertise in interiors with a broad focus in hospitality, office, retail, and mixed-use projects.
- GIVING BACK: Humanscale Sponsors 8 Wells in India Providing Clean Water to Over 8,000 People - With these wells, the community can now expect a reduction in water-borne diseases as the drinking water is safe for human consumption improving overall health outcomes along with the infinite benefits that access to clean water brings to a community.
- PLACES - BECI Offices – Brussels | During the pandemic, BECI decided to renovate the second floor to create private spaces where community members could run meetings and events, bond with peers, and receive coaching.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Ware Malcomb Announces Promotion of Jason Dooley to Regional Vice President, Southeast Region / Where Acoustics—and Music—Meets Design: Buro Happold Taps Frank Reder as U.S. Lead / Denyse Sharp Promoted to Chief Administrative Officer
- FIRST LOOKS - New Product, Line Addition from The Mitchell Group / Conquer Collaboration With ZIA Conference Table / SIXINCH USA To Unveil Outdoor/Mobile Products / Come Together In Design With Ghent / Gressco Receives TIP Award
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 24, 2023
- Stephen Says - "It's Going To Be A Really BIG NeoCon This Year!" - by Stephen Viscusi - At the risk of repeating myself, be sure your nametag is visible if you want to be noticed, avoid being hungover at all costs, and be sure to say hello to me if you see me walking the halls or discretely recruiting in your showroom.
- New Research Revealed: Insights on How to Recruit and Retain Gen Z - Practicing what we preach, ThinkLab is creating multiple ways for you to take in this research, digest it, and apply it to your business.
- Humanscale Introduces Smart Conference, an Intuitive Collaborative Seating Solution for the Hybrid Workplace - Adapted from iconic industrial designer Niels Diffrient's original Smart chair, Smart Conference takes intuitive comfort to a new level of luxury suitable for any meeting space.
- Allseating Launches Res, a Seating Solution Supporting Active Learning - Designed in Partnership With Modus ID to Fill Gaps in the Market, Res Is Crafted With Built-in Features for Advanced Storage, Cleanability, and Adjustability
- IIDA College of Fellows Announces 2023 Inductees - Admission to the prestigious College of Fellows is IIDA's highest professional member distinction.
- A New Day - Corporate Interiors Announces a Change in Ownership - As a high performance Steelcase dealership, the company offers the full range of Steelcase brands and aligned partnerships, along with 200+ other brands.
- A Quick-Ship Program from Buzzispace - The brand is now producing products on the West Coast, which makes them 'Ready2Go' as they are made and available locally in North America, reducing not only time but carbon emissions of overseas transport.
- Falcon to Feature New Seating, Acoustic Solutions, and More at NeoCon 2023 - Falcon serves architects, designers and facility managers with table and seating solutions for commercial spaces in the corporate, education, government, and healthcare markets.
- Herman Miller and Naoto Fukasawa Introduce Asari Chair by Herman Miller - The next chair icon is both ergonomic and upholstered, for home and office.
- Clear Design Introduces 3D Configurator for Fast Estimates - The configurator will provide our reps and dealer partners with a fast and easy-to-use resource for visualizing Clear Design product customization and getting quick estimates for their custom configurations and quantities.
- MOS+ is Being Re-loaded and Re-Released to Benefit New Hybrid Workplaces - A tool kit of MOS+ add-ons simplifies the creation of hybrid workspaces that blend seamlessly into existing design.
- Mute Revolutionizes Office Flexibility With OmniRoom: A Modular, Construction-Free, Room-in-Room System - A new product from Mute offers a holistic way of shaping comfortable, construction-free office spaces for a new and dynamic world of work.
- SmithGroup Awards 2023 Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships - We are excited to welcome these talented emerging designers and engineers into our offices this summer; building strong relationships to exchange perspectives, experiences and unique skills as the foundation for their careers.
- HON Releases Roll Call Lectern & Parkwyn Seating - Move where the day takes you: HON releases Roll Call Lectern. Don't sacrifice comfort for functionality: HON's new Parkwyn Seating has both.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale Introduces Float Mini, a Sit/Stand Desk Perfect for Small Spaces - The Float Mini desk embodies Humanscale's commitment to users' ever-changing work style, encouraging movement with a tabletop that glides to a range of heights as well as the option for caster wheels.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: HAT Collective Introducing Fiellø at NeoCon - Developed in Collaboration with Gensler, Height Adjustable Desk Combines Danish Aesthetics, Intuitive Design and Essential Technology for Enhanced User Experience.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Okamura Launches Lives Shelf - The Lives Shelf's modular design allows for easy customization and expansion, making it adaptable to any office layout.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Cyncly to Showcase a Dynamic, New Way to Plan Office Spaces at NeoCon 2023 - Industry leader will present its latest version of 2020 Office – including transformative update to 2020 Worksheet – through hands-on demonstrations and a special networking event on Day 1 of conference.
- INDUSTRY SURVEYS: The Solomon Coyle YE2022 Compensation Survey is Currently Underway - Gain Insight on Policy, Onboarding and DEI Initiatives
- PLACES - Pernod Ricard Offices – Dubai | Pernod Ricard is in the business of selling 'moments of conviviality', therefore, a key goal was to promote interactions and create meaningful human connections throughout the space.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Camira Collaborated With Northern Textile Industry For King's Coronation / Lucida Surfaces Announces Jacob Herzog as Regional Sales Manager / Novità Communications Makes Inc. Best Workplaces 2023 List / Knoll Celebrates 75th Anniversary of the Iconic Womb Chair
- FIRST LOOKS - Verna Vélin Unveils Unmatched Embossed Wall Coverings Powered By Cutting-Edge Technology / Momentum's New Wallcoverings Shimmer with Biophilia + Sartorial Fashion Influences / Okamura Introduces Ena at NeoCon / Introducing PURL: The Innovative Single Outlet Linked Power System for Workspaces
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 17, 2023
- BoF Mourns the Tragic Loss of Emily Clingman - A frequent contributor to Business of Furniture for almost a decade, Emily was recently elevated to the role of Editor-In-Chief.
- Stephen Says - "My Graduate Is Interested In The Furniture Industry – What Is Your Advice?" - by Stephen Viscusi - As far as your concerns about the economy and the future, we all share those same concerns about inflation, possible recession, and today's unique political climate. All I can say about that is we should hope for the best, focus on the positive, and know that young people are very resilient.
- Room & Board's Commercial Arm Announces Rebrand as Room & Board for Business - The formerly titled Room & Board Business Interiors to operate under new name, Room & Board for Business, signifying commitment to the trade and changes to the market.
- Ultrafabrics Announces a Significant Color Refresh of Its Uf Select Collection, Which Is Made In North America - Adding 38 colors and curated selection available for two-day quick ship.
- Kirei Launches Tessellate Baffle and Tessellate Pendant, Two Innovative Acoustic Baffles - Showstoppers in Kirei's new Tessellate Collection, the two dynamic ceiling elements feature patent pending design with the sustainability of recycled PET.
- DIRTT Announces Expansion of Partnership with Armstrong World Industries - "We are delighted to invest in the co-ownership of ICE software as we believe it will accelerate the design capabilities of ProjectWorks and significantly increase the speed with which Armstrong can integrate products from across our portfolio into ProjectWorks."
- Unika Vaev Introduces Pinnacle a Modular Acoustic System: Redefining Interior Spaces with Innovative Design and Superior Acoustic Performance - Pinnacle is offered in 8 Solid Core colorways, and a vast curated selection of printed Wilsonart Patterns to further expand the design possibilities. You may also provide your own pattern, photograph, or logo graphics — to achieve exactly the look you're after.
- Haworth Spark: Four Trends Driving the Workplace Forward - Here's what's moving the needle for the future of work.
- Design Pool Debuts Swallowtail Farm Collection - Design Pool partnered with New Hampshire-based printer LDI Interiors to digitally print these designs on EnviroLeather PRINTS, their luxurious, leather-like line of wipeable, coated fabrics.
- Luxxbox Introduces Georgina Acoustic Pendant for Commercial, Hospitality & Spacious Residential Settings - The Sculptural Acoustic Pendant Adds a Touch of Softness and Luminosity to Interiors.
- by Bailey Changes Name to Parent Company Insidesource and Launches Showroom Refresh - by Bailey and Insidesource joined forces in 2018 to create the first-of-its kind global furniture dealer.
- DIRTT Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results - Revenue decreased 4% to $36.7 million for the quarter, compared to the prior year's first quarter.
- Engaging Activations And Events Enhance The NeoCon 2023 Experience June 12-14 at THE MART in Chicago - Bellow Press and Business of Furniture will be there to bring you complete coverage.
- Home Furniture And Decor: From The 2023 Salone Del Mobile, The Five Trends To Be Inspired To Furnish Your Home - Design Italy, the marketplace dedicated to 100% Made in Italy design, has intercepted furnishing styles that promise to characterize home interiors in the coming months. A mix of suggestions and good ideas to be freely interpreted in any domestic space.
- Allsteel + Corral New Capsule Collection: American Design Translated Into Modern Office Furnishings - This is not the first Allsteel Capsule featuring Corral Design. Over the years, the brands have brought to life a rich American design aesthetic and ethos that is constructed for how we live and work today.
- UPFRONT: Fulton Market District Set to Welcome Design Professionals and Enthusiasts for Inaugural Fulton Market Design Day - More Than 25 Iconic Design Brands Bring the Fulton Market District to Life June 12-14
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Vitra x Herman Miller Launch Limited-edition Eames Fiberglass Armchair with Steinberg Cat - Upon their debut in 1950, the Eames Shell Chairs were the world's first industrially mass-produced chairs with the seat and backrest formed from a one-piece shell.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Tangram Announces Luis Carmona's Promotion to VP of Operations + Jack Hooven's Retirement - Carmona has been in the contract furniture industry since 1986. He began his career as an Installation Technician at one of the largest Steelcase dealerships in Southern California, then moved up the ranks to become the Director of Program Management.
- PEOPLE: Susan Shockey Joins Nevers Industries Design Team - In her design roles at Nevers, Susan will assist with corporate product development initiatives and the development of new corporate visual identity assets.
- PLACES - Majorel Offices – Changzhou | The open office enhances our perception of the space with its multiple horizontal and vertical layers.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - LightCorp Awarded Premier Supplier Status by Steelcase / KAI Hires Jason Keung as Project Manager in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas Office / A New Stefan Diez Design + More from Midgard @ ICFF / More Cleanroom Product Options Give Architects Greater Design Flexibility - Horton Announces Expansion of ISO-rated Cleanroom Door Portfolio
- FIRST LOOKS - QOR360 to Launch New Active Chair: The Tilt! at NeoCon in Chicago / Luum Launches Super Natural Collection | Luum's Most Sustainable Collection To Date
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 10, 2023
- AI & The Future of Design - For all of the power we gain using artificial intelligence, our quickly evolving world will require twice as much human intelligence and creative imagination.
- Stephen Says - "I Just Lost My Job, Should I Hang Out My Own Shingle?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Here's the most important advice I can give you: pick only one field to consult in and stick with it. Don't offer every service plus the kitchen sink.
- NARBUTAS at Trends & Traditions Strengthens Its Position In the Scandinavian Market - NARBUTAS was invited for the first time to present itself at this very special event, which brings together professionals from the Scandinavian furniture industry.
- PurOptima Launches Glass Wall Partitions and Door Systems in the U.S. - World-leading sustainable acoustic glass partition and wall system specialists launch new U.S.-dedicated brand, PurOptima.
- Scandinavian Spaces Looks To Refine The Trade Show Experience - The smell of cinnamon and fresh Swedish pastries will waft the 3rd-floor hallways, tempting attendees with sweets as delicious as the furniture.
- BIFMA International Announces New Membership Services Director - "Nicole brings the right mix of experience and talent to BIFMA."
- Adjusted to the Future: LOGICDATA and JIECANG Head to Interzum 2023 With a Common Goal - The benefits of the LOGICDATA-JIECANG partnership are targeted at customers across the office and home furnishings market.
- A Global Partnership is Sealed: Sedus Stoll AG and Watson Furniture Group Agree on Strategic Cooperation - We're thrilled to see what a partnership with such a storied company unlocks in design, creativity, and diversity of experience. This partnership is just the beginning, and we can't wait to see what's next.
- Carnegie Fabrics Expands Complimentary Design Support Service - Carnegie Design Services enables bespoke selection of products meticulously matched to each client's project design, performance, and budgetary specifications.
- CIFF Shanghai 2023 - Design, concrete business relations, and dedicated services to welcome back international players.
- Results: HNI - Consolidated net sales decreased 16.3 percent from the prior-year quarter to $479.1 million.
- Results: Interface - Net sales totaled $295.8 million, up 2.7% year-over-year.
- Results: Kimball International - Net sales of $166.1 million; Backlog of $134.5 million; 34% Growth in Adjusted EBITDA Year-Over-Year
- UPFRONT: The 2023-Q1 Market Outlook Report Is Now Available - Distributors Take Advantage of Diversification, Show Resilience
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: KFI Studios Launches Avalon Chaise Lounge - The optional accessories that take Avalon from lounge to work include a pneumatic height adjustable swivel table and privacy screen; both which can be left or right mounted.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: HAT Collective Expanding To UK Market - Partnering with Leading UK Dealer obo, Brand Set to Offer Comprehensive Suite of Intelligent, Design-Forward Workplace Product Solutions for UK Customers.
- PEOPLE: Groupe Lacasse Expands Canadian Sales Team - Michael Turner has officially joined Groupe Lacasse as new Business Development Manager, Canada.
- PLACES - Kuehne + Nagel Office & Shipping Center – Ho Chi Minh City | In fulfilling the company's objectives, ADP fueled the new office with a young, energetic design that places people at the center, which enables healthy movement and interaction across the workspace.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Mike Gentile Planning to Step Down from Independent Suppliers Group / Dawne David-Pierre is Promoted to Director of Operations of Moody Nolan New York / Artopex, One of Canada's Best Managed Companies for the 16th Consecutive Year / IIDA Announces Maya Bird-Murphy as the Recipient of the 2023 Anna Hernandez/Luna Textiles Visionary Award / Fritz Hansen Appoints Vice President Americas / Loll Designs' Alfresco Collection Awarded 2023 Green Good Design Award / HON Announces Top Sales Distinction Awards to Industry Leading Dealer Partners
- FIRST LOOKS - Watson Furniture to Unveil the Reimagined Tonic Collection at Neocon 2023
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 3, 2023
- Insidesource Expands Its Reach in the Pacific Northwest with the Acquisition of Environments, Portland, Oregon - Environments, a women-led company, has established itself as a preeminent collaborator with architecture and design firms in the Oregon and SW Washington markets, offering human-centered design solutions, workplace strategy, and service expertise to clients in a range of sectors, including corporate, healthcare, and higher education.
- Stephen Says - "My Top Sales Performers Are Getting Poached! What Can I Do?" - by Stephen Viscusi - As you may have read in this space before, if you want to hire, and more importantly, retain the best salespeople, you must raise the base salary — yesterday!
- DIFFA By Design: Designers & Brands Gear Up to Dazzle - The much-anticipated DIFFA by Design Gala is also returning — with a surprise entertainment portion and auction to take place on Monday, May 22 from 6-10 p.m.
- Best Of Neocon Unveils 2023 Jury Roster - An impressive lineup of industry experts will judge the distinguished awards program on excellence and innovation in commercial design.
- SitOnIt Seating Debuts Its Brand New NYC Showroom - Everyone who visits will experience the innovative, award-winning collections in a whole new way—from task and lounge seating to total workstation solutions.
- Introducing Surface Mode: Transparency; Chemetal at Its Most Colorful - The newest addition to Chemetal's Surface Mode, Transparency features vibrant "of the moment" colors like Seafoam and Saffron as well as black, white and clear brushed standards.
- Steelcase Launches Karman: Ergonomic Mesh Chair Designed for 21st Century Work - Steelcase Karman goes beyond other leading mesh chairs by naturally responding to a body's movement, delivering industry-leading comfort and sustainability.
- //3877 Debuts New D.C. Headquarters And A Reimagined Website - The expanding A&D firm launches into a new era of growth through a fresh take on the brand's physical and virtual presence.
- BOS Roselle Cleans Up Nature Trail For Earth Week - BOS takes great pride and initiative in promoting and contributing to a green, sustainable, and economical business approach, both within and outside the organization.
- Iowa Interior Designers Celebrate the Passing of Practice Rights Legislation - New bill shows collaborative industry efforts to provide registered interior designers with independent practice rights.
- Desky Launches New Line of FSC-Certified Solid Wood Desktops - The solid wood desktops are available in a wide range of sizes that customers can choose from. There are also several types of finishes that can suit any office or home office setup.
- HOK Names Eli Hoisington and Susan Klumpp Williams as Co-CEOs - As the first woman CEO in HOK's history, Klumpp Williams acknowledged the significance of her role: "This is an opportunity to underscore the power of diverse leadership."
- Virco Reports Full Year Revenue Increased 25% to $231.1 Million, Total Operating Income of $10.8 Million - Gross profit improves 40% as revenue growth pushes U.S. factories and logistics solidly above break even.
- Mohawk Industries Reports Q1 Results - For the first quarter of 2022, net sales were $3.0 billion, net earnings were $245 million and EPS was $3.78.
- UPFRONT: CBI Expands With Acquisition Of CSI Fuller - CBI anticipates that the acquisition will grow and enhance internal support teams, allowing it to better serve all its clients in both LA and Orange County.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Legrand Launches dash Configurable Power Solutions - Contemporary in design, the dash Desktop Power Center provides configurable and convenient access to power and data at the desktop.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Three H Reimagines its Mart Showroom in Advance of Major Rebrand Reveal - At its core, Three H believes that workspaces should be thoughtfully architected to feel like a workplace, not like home.
- PEOPLE: Clear Design Announces Brittani Saint as Regional Vice President - Brittani has led all 50 states during her career and will be working closely with Clear Design's sales partners and dealer partners to advance the Clear Design brand and position in the furniture market.
- PLACES - CLO Virtual Offices – Seoul | The site was designed to leave a strong spatial branding impression on visitors from the entrance by utilizing contrast of light and dark.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Interior Designer Alexandria Seimetz Joins //3877 / Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of New England / Louis Poulsen Appoints PR and Marketing Manager, North America / Keilhauer Releases 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report / STUDIOS Architecture Signs AIA Architecture & Design Materials Pledge / ASID Extends National Awards Submission
- FIRST LOOKS - Clear Design Adds Single Monitor Arm to Nexus Series / Hon Introduces Flexion: The Versatile Seat for Versatile Work / Meet the Wild Bunch!
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 26, 2023
- Salone del Mobile.Milano Returns Better Than Ever, Led with Innovation and Sustainability - The Salone del Mobile.Milano 2023 closed with numbers up 15%. The new format won over professionals, buyers and public alike.
- New Sit-to-Stand Mobile Desk from AIS Takes Work on the Move and to New Heights - New offering allows users to work where they want, how they want.
- Celebrating 100 Years of Herman Miller - Herman Miller unveils a specially curated exhibit and limited-edition poster reprint celebrating its rich graphic design history in its Milan showroom in the Brera Design District during Salone del Mobile.
- 12th SaloneSatellite Award 2023 Winners - Projects by representatives of different countries of origin and provenance encompassed different geographic latitudes and design approaches.
- Stephen Says - "References Today Are the Price of a Ticket to the 'Hall of Fame' Dinner, So Don't Get Fooled" - by Stephen Viscusi - All of the biggest hiring problems people have today stem from the fact everyone is in such a hurry to hire. I understand this impulse. We want to have all hands on deck, but it is impossible to get to know a candidate and thoroughly vet them moving at the speed of light.
- Music City Center Installs Nook Pods - Pods offer quiet space for facility guests.
- Keilhauer Named One of Canada's Greenest Employers For 2023 - The North American furniture manufacturer recognized by the Canada's Top 100 Employers project for ninth consecutive year.
- MHTN Architects Celebrates 100th Anniversary - The Salt Lake City-based firm reflects on a century of accomplishments and "100 projects for 100 years".
- Newly Remodeled Cadre Office on Park Avenue in New York City Designed for Expansion - Spectorgroup kept in mind the company's plans for future growth and expansion — utilizing the existing structure of the building to illustrate a minimalist and industrial look with refined elements such as high ceilings and cleverly-placed light fixtures.
- HLW Announces Expansion into Florida - Legacy firm strengthens presence in growing market with new West Palm Beach office.
- LightArt Adds Marina To Award-Winning Reclaimed Ocean Plastic Pendant Collection - After years of mastering their internal waste streams to create the original Ocean Coil Collection, LightArt wanted to push its capabilities as a planet-conscious manufacturer.
- UPFRONT: ABI March 2023: Business Conditions Improve Slightly - Architecture firm clients place at least moderate priority on outcomes related to issues of health, resilience, and equity.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Landscape Forms and Tuuci Introduce Ocean Master MEGA MAX Classic Extra-Large Format Parasol - "It's absolutely a statement piece, and there's nothing else quite like it on the market yet in the U.S."
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Lesro - Celebrating 50 Years of Success - Having manufactured more than three million chairs in their 50-year history, Lesro is a pillar in the town of Bloomfield.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Designtex Appoints New Vice President of Marketing - As a creative leader and brand builder that works at the intersection of culture, design and commerce, Oriana Reich joins the team with extensive experience leading creative marketing strategy implementation around brand identity, image, product communications and narrative-building.
- PEOPLE: Thinkspace Hires Mindy Morris as Manager of Customer Success Team - "Mindy is a dynamic leader with exceptional interpersonal, organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills and will be a great addition to our fast-growing organization."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: New From Groupe Lacasse - Essential Height Adjustable Table for QUORUM Multiconference - Available in the QuickShip program, the Essential table will be a staple in any work environment! Available to Order May 1st.
- PLACES - Infosys Consulting Offices – Timisoara | HTO Architecture and Engineering worked to create a cohesively branded space for the Infosys Consulting offices in Timisoara, Romania.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Nicki Heiner Named Artcobell Director of Interior Design / Furniture ReUse Leader, Kay Chesterfield, Hires New Director of Operations / Fellowes Achieves Level 2 Certification for Nearly 70 Contract Interiors Workspace Products / Turf to Expand Chicago Presence at THE MART / Tracy Cook Joins Soft Surface Team at Tarkett / Ware Malcomb Announces Two New Leaders in Growing Nashville Office / IIDA NY Hosts Candace Doby at Annual Leaders Breakfast
- FIRST LOOKS - Encore's Romp Occasional Tables are a Rollicking Good Time / Unika Vaev Introduces the Pattern Mix Collection / Mannington Commercial Introduces Natural Elements Too
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 19, 2023
- Stephen Says - "Salone is Almost Over, Get Ready for ICFF!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Salone is great this year! It's so fabulous to see the industry back. It was amazing to me how many American sales reps from manufacturers and dealers, independent reps and designers from all over the country I see here. It really is a great show.
- AOS Interior Environments Expands Design and FF&E Services with the Acquisition of the Louisiana Division of Alfred Williams & Company - AOS is a full-service provider of manufactured interior construction, contract furniture, storage solutions and installation and service.
- 10 Reasons for Architects and Designers to Engage in Market Research - We encourage you to join us and be part of the evolution of the design industry. Your opinions and insights can help shape the future of design.
- A Memorable Design that Checks all the Boxes - "The flexibility of Xorel Artform allowed us to create a custom looking solution that looks great and gave us the acoustic properties we needed. The wide range of colors, durability, and sustainability of the product checked all the boxes."
- NYCxDESIGN Festival Returns May 18-25 and Announces Official Guide with 2023 Events - The internationally renowned design week features inspiring exhibitions, trade shows, open studios, talks, and more across NYC.
- Bill Hellmuth, Chairman and CEO of HOK, Dies at 69 - While proud of HOK's accomplishments, Hellmuth kept his focus on the future and was happiest while brainstorming ideas with clients and HOK project teams.
- Lodes Presents Cono di Luce in Collaboration with Ron Arads - As a notable figure whose work often melds art, architecture, and design, Lodes recognized a natural kinship.
- A Thoughtful, Therapeutic Office Redesign from PJCArchitecture - The bright waiting room welcomes guests into the office with a floating dropped ceiling.
- Versteel Expands Its Troupe Collection with New Inline Table Solutions to Facilitate Learning and Engagement - Troupe's new Inline tables offer a variety of functional choices tailored to suite the different styles of individualized focus or interactive collaboration.
- Logiflex Announces Key Collective as New Rep Group for NY/North NJ - This talented team of more than 60 years of experience will be working hard to represent Logiflex in this territory and help them connect with the community in meaningful ways.
- HBF Opens New Showroom in NYC, Designed by Alda Ly Architecture - "It was important to partner with a design firm with a fresh perspective on commercial work space and ALA was a natural fit."
- UPFRONT: RESPAWN Portfolio of Gaming Furniture Acquired - RESPAWN's offerings will include multiple lines of gaming products for anyone from eSports competitors and content creators to hobby players.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Unika Vaev Announces Exclusive Collaboration with Wilsonart for a Curated Collection of Wilsonart Patterns available on Unika Vaev's Acoustic Products - The collaboration with Wilsonart, a trailblazer in engineered surfaces, marks a significant milestone in Unika Vaev's mission to provide highly functional, visually appealing, and customizable acoustic solutions.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Keilhauer Opens New Showroom in Downtown Toronto - The North American furniture manufacturer's first downtown Toronto brick-and-mortar showroom makes its King Street debut.
- DEALERS: Solomon Coyle Dealer Management Development Program for Steelcase Dealers - Enrollment Now Open for June 2023 Start - As part of the program, each participant will complete two assessments through the Assessment Technologies Group (ATG) at the program start to establish a baseline.
- PLACES - Miura & Partners Offices – Tokyo | The project started off by setting concepts for their ideal office through interviews with employees, as they desired to create a conceptual office space.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Beth Ralston Named Vice President of Business Development for Henricksen / Louis Chang Joins Moody Nolan Philadelphia as Director of Operations / Kathryn T. Prigmore Joins Moody Nolan DC as Director of Operations / IIDA Announces Finalists of Two Prestigious Design Competitions
- FIRST LOOKS - Andrea Claire Studio Introduces Pisces Collection Of Lighting At Rossana Orlandi During Milan Design Week / Mannington Commercial Launching Captivate Collection at NeoCon 2023 / Meet the Curious Collection, the latest drop from Durasein / Peter Kunz Designs a Timeless and Elegant Table for Arper / Amadeus Gets an American-Inspired Color Revision / FilzFelt: Sound Softening on the Cutting Edge / Pallas Textiles Introduces Lingo Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 12, 2023
- Nassimi Eliminates PFAS From Performance Fabrics, Embracing Sustainability in the Textile Industry - "Our sustainability initiates have typically been self-motivated, as we do not wait for new regulations to react to," Iwan Nassimi said. "We make it a point to work with like-minded partners that challenge us to improve our products and the way we conduct our business."
- AIS' New Casegoods Lines Position the Company for Even Greater Industry Leadership - Dealer demand for casegoods spurs addition of lines to increase production capacity.
- Stephen Says - "If You've Got the Knoll Magic, You'll Get a Better Job." - by Stephen Viscusi - Any recruiter will tell you. We could have one great candidate from #Steelcase and one from MillerKnoll and one from the original Knoll. And, as expected, the clients will choose the Knoll person every day of the week.
- 2020 and Nucraft Strengthen Partnership Through Cloud Pricing Tools - Nucraft will use 2020 Content's Cloud Pricing Tool for increased control over pricing data among many other benefits.
- Zanotta Acquired by Cassina - Becomes Part of Haworth Lifestyle Design Group - "With the arrival of Zanotta we have added another shining star to our bright sky, confirming HLD group's vocation to identify, attract and develop the best organizations from the global design scene.
- Spacestore Explores Accessibilty Design With CBRE and Google - As part of the launch of its Experiential Research Interview Series, Spacestor spoke to two workplace accessibility professionals from CBRE and Google, who are leading the way in influencing accessible design, to create spaces which are considered in the light of environments experienced by people with all disabilities.
- Haworth Invests in Showrooms to Demonstrate Hybrid Workspaces - Showrooms adapt for the work from anywhere expectation of the global workforce to become an intersection of physical and digital environments.
- 51st CIFF Guangzhou 2023: An Extraordinary Relaunch - Traffic up 27.88% and an absolute record attendance.
- MillerKnoll and PepsiCo Empower the Next Generation of Designers - Mission: To Design an Innovative Student Lounge at Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design
- TAT Names New Associates and Director of Sustainability - Architecture and interiors firm elevates experienced designers and marketing professional to leadership positions, as it continues to identify emerging talent and build a foundation for continued growth and expansion.
- Ware Malcomb Announces Leadership News in Pleasanton Office - In their respective roles, Camposano and Lien will be responsible for leading the growth and management of their studios for the Pleasanton office.
- Anthony Brown April 2, 1937 - April 4, 2023 - It is with great sadness that Bisley announced the passing of its chairman and owner Anthony Brown, fondly known to many as Tony, aged 86.
- De Vorm Introduces Fost Large PET Felt Acoustic Lamp - The Fost Large Pet Felt Acoustic Lamp collection — a unique eye-catcher with a 118cm diameter lampshade.
- BuzziSpace Lowers Carbon Footprint With New BuzziFabric - BuzziFabric, most commonly used to upholster the wide range of BuzziSpace products, now comprises 100% recycled raw materials: 70% recycled wool, 25% recycled polyacrylic, and 5% recycled rags.
- SmithGroup Celebrates Opening of Hip Hop Exhibition at Baltimore Museum of Art - The Culture is a groundbreaking exhibition co-organized by the Baltimore Museum of Art and Saint Louis Art Museum that explores the conceptual, cultural and aesthetic attributes that have made hip hop a global phenomenon.
- UPFRONT: New Showroom: Scandinavian Spaces Suite 366 Set To Debut at NeoCon 2023 - "The concept behind the new Scandinavian Spaces showroom is to create a transcendental balance between work and play."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Three-Dimensional Metal Surfacing Solutions Offer a New Layer of Design - With over thirty years of custom fabrication experience, award-winning metal experts, Móz Designs, is expanding their signature Engravings Collection with six new patterns.
- BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Creative Office Resources Acquires De Clercq Office Group - "Paul, Kevin and I are very excited about our continued growth in Connecticut and what this acquisition will mean for the marketplace," said Denise Horn, CEO and Partner at Creative Office Resources.
- PEOPLE: Landscape Forms Appoints Lisa Belter as Business Development Representative for Alberta and Saskatchewan - Belter brings to Landscape Forms a strong professional background and diverse wealth of creative experience in graphic design, sales and marketing, education, consulting and Feng Shui design.
- PLACES - European Union Offices – Buenos Aires | The project's aesthetics sought to articulate the formal language of the international organization with a more modern and contemporary style.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Luxxbox Welcomes Mickie Kornhardt as North American Sales Manager / Design Museum Everywhere Has a New Mission Statement / GrizForm Design Architects Adds New Architectural Designer to Growing Team / Lesro Welcomes New Manufacturer Representative / Arper's Collaboration with Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure Exhibition Opens in LA / YOU'RE INVITED: The Real Story on Our Oceans, Plastics, and Greenwashing Webinar with Humanscale
- FIRST LOOKS - Energy-Saving Thermally Broken Entrances for Office Buildings / Arc-Com's Latest Upholstery Pattern, Pixel!
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 5, 2023
- Wyatt Seating: The Office Chair Manufacturer That's a Family Adventure - "We started out as the little guy, and in one sense or another, we still are the little guy, but we are rapidly growing, and our plan is to become a major player in the mid-market of seating," said John Gallen.
- 6 Essential Resources for the Savvy Sales Rep - One size doesn't fit all when it comes to catering to the design clients of the future.
- The Mart Experiences Impressive Growth Ahead of NeoCon 2023 - New and expanded showrooms, extended leases, notable additions to the 7th Floor, and enhanced building amenities pave the way for a stellar 2023 edition.
- Configura Hosts Manufacturers and Partners at Annual Momentum Meeting - Just over 70 people including manufacturers from the commercial interiors and material handling industries, Configura Development and Service partners and several Configurans met to discuss and learn how to better support the User Community.
- Momentum Debuts Paradiso, A Colorful and Contemporary Botanical-Inspired Collection of Commercial Grade Textiles - The patterns of the collection — Paradiso, Lark and Boheme — were conceptualized to mix and match.
- ASID Announces New Approach to National Awards Program - New awards to broaden access and inclusivity for the recognition of excellence in interior design.
- Room & Board's National Urban Wood Project Expands to New York City - The manufacturer is using reclaimed wood from across the U.S. to create modern furniture with an eye toward sustainability.
- Bad Press: Andi Owen Uploaded to TikTok by @ceoswhodontcare - The Internet, along with many MillerKnoll employees, didn't seem to appreciate comments made by CEO Andi Owen on a recent company call.
- The IIDA Foundation and IA Interior Architects Announce the 2023 Diversity in Design Scholarship Recipients - The scholarship fund was established as part of a five-year partnership between the IIDA Foundation and IA to enrich and advance the interior design profession by recognizing outstanding students.
- Stephen Says - "Last Year I Made More Money Than Ever, This Year They Are Dividing My Territory!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Now is the time to prove you're as good a salesperson as you think you are. And hey, have you read a newspaper lately? Who knows what will happen with the economy this year. Everyone is a bit nervous. There is no use in getting ahead of yourself.
- IIDA NY Hosts Celebrated Designers for Pioneering Design Series - IIDA NY proudly presents "Makers and Creators: Pivoting in Design," a panel conversation in which renowned industry experts will discuss their collaborative design experiences and share insights gained from pivoting in their design process.
- Spotilight on Design: Heritage Crystal Clean - The design concept reflects HCC's mission of preserving the environment, and creatively uses the space to take employees and guests on a journey.
- Marvel Names Seven New Partners, Reconfirms Commitment to Designing for and in Partnership with Communities - The firm's promotion of key professionals, including many longtime team members, will expand Marvel's reach and establish new leadership in its San Juan office. The changes span all three offices of the award-winning design firm, elevating new experts to enhance outcomes for clients and stakeholders.
- FXCollaborative Taps Florencia Kratsman as New Head of Interior Architecture - Florencia brings over 25 years of experience in consulting, design, programming and space planning.
- UPFRONT: Eight Teknion Showrooms Achieve WELL V2 Certification Platinum - "Our focus has always been on our people, our partners, and our environment. We began with LEED certification in 2006 for our facilities."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Artcobell Adds Desking to Innovative NXT MOV Line - "There isn't anything like this in the market," said Vice President of Operations Kevin Smith.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: It's a Reunion and You're Invited - At the heart of the Reunion collection is Lawn Chair designed by Mary Jo Miller, Vice President of Design and Creative Direction at HBF Textiles.
- GREEN: Humanscale Celebrates Earth Month as The Most Sustainable Furniture Manufacturer - Humanscale's Zero Waste policy targets 100% waste diversion by 2030.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: COE Distributing CEO J.D. Ewing Shares Management Insights at UnleashWD Human Resources Summit - Ewing joins a select group of businesses and HR executives from the wholesaler-distributor realm in providing guidance to help human resources professionals balance strategic business objectives with employee security and satisfaction.
- PLACES - Price f(x) Offices – Prague | Price f(x) designed their Prague office space to promote creative dialogue and flexibility of use, with a wooden structure connecting two floors and a comprehensive control system measuring and adjusting environmental data in real time.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Ware Malcomb Announces Bill Roberts as General Counsel to Support Continued Growth / Matter Surfaces Announces Marketing Leadership Promotions / FK Architecture Welcomes Architects Connor Privett and Amy VanderMeer / Polyvision Corporation Announces Silvie Vermoote as Sales Director APAC / Michael Graves Architecture Acquires PGN Architects
- FIRST LOOKS - Aceray Unveils Fresh Seating Options in Time for Spring Markets / H Contract Expands Seating Product Line; Adds Outdoor Furniture Category For EFA Expo
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 29, 2023
- A Recipe for Sustainability — CICIL's Success Lies in Its Supply Chain - To keep its footprint small, CICIL's wool is sourced from farmers in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. It then travels to the Carolinas to be processed and manufactured by a third generation, family owned and operated, textile mill.
- Stephen Says - "RH is Eating the Italian Brands for Lunch" - by Stephen Viscusi - RH is selling a lifestyle — and it's managed to market the hell out of that lifestyle. It's great to have European investment in quality design. But it's time to have more of a U.S. marketing influence in leadership within European companies with regards to American customers.
- M&A Update: Spring 2023 - We are already in the midst of an M&A boom. And more is coming. Get ready.
- Keilhauer Launches Two Carbon Neutral Ottomans - "In the design process, there was always the idea of having something that would signify that this is a mobile product."
- FitzGerald Designs Its New Studio - The studio approaches wellness in a holistic sense, providing employees with a wide range of flexible working styles to best support their personality styles and needs, as well as access to a wellness suite, private phone rooms, and lockers.
- FCA Reimagines Fox Rothschild LLP's Seattle Headquarters - The Seattle workplace now serves as a test pilot of a new and increasingly compact office.
- 2020 and LightCorp Strengthen Partnership Through Cloud Pricing Tools - LightCorp will use 2020 Content's Cloud Pricing Tool for increased control over pricing data among many other benefits.
- Design Museum Everywhere Introduces New Executive Director - "I am delighted to have Maria take on the role of Executive Director for Design Museum Everywhere. Maria has been a leader and advocate for the organization, helping us navigate the challenges of change and setting up a foundation for future growth and engagement with our community."
- Logiflex Office Furniture Invests $40 Million to Relocate to New Sherbrooke Industrial Park - Logiflex is on the front line when it comes to promoting Industry 4.0, new technology integration and digital transformation across its plants.
- Mohawk Group Partners With Water.org to Help Solve Global Water and Sanitation Crisis - "Our commitment to build a better tomorrow is a reminder that while we have continuously moved the needle, there is still more work to do."
- Whitney Brothers Introduces Live Edge Furniture Collection - Tables and seating simulate the popular design of live edge wide plank furniture with charming realism and coordinate with the brand's award winning biophilia-inspired Nature View Collection.
- KI Awards $40,000 of Furniture to Winning Teachers in Classroom Furniture Giveaway - Entrants in the giveaway used KI's Classroom Planner tool to design their ideal learning space.
- Photos: Design Within Reach Relocates West Palm Beach Studio to The Square - A natural fit for DWR, relocating to The Square allows the brand to leverage the area's dynamic offering of lifestyle destinations spanning retail, cuisine, design and art.
- Steelcase Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2023 Results - Revenue and earnings growth driven by year-over-year pricing benefits.
- MillerKnoll Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results - $123 million of run-rate cost synergies related to the Knoll integration captured to date.
- UPFRONT: Business of Furniture Contributor Joins Thinkspace as Principal, Vice President - Before founding Embark CCT, a business coaching consultancy in 2017, Sid served as the Senior Vice President of Sales at AIS for 10 years, as well as a a frequent contributor to Business of Furniture.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: EF Contract Launches ColorWays - "The collection tells such a great color story, with rich saturated color throughout."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Sta-Kleen Silicone Debuts Three New Digital Print Fabrics from The Mitchell Group - "The fabric is environmentally responsible in the following ways: the manufacturing process uses zero solvents, and contains no polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plasticizers, phthalates, heavy metals, or stabilizers."
- MATERIALS: Design for Recycling: VALUMAT & WOOD.BE to Improve the Recyclability of Foams Used in Furniture - The study will consider the design aspects of the foam and how it is used in furniture and bedding and will be based on existing recycling techniques as well as advanced chemical recycling under development by industry.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Kellie Reed Promoted by Tangram - "My time growing with Tangram has been nothing short of incredible."
- PLACES - Broad Vision Funds (BVF) Offices – Beijing | In the space layout, we put the west side of the narrow space as a reception area, which naturally connects the outdoor terrace.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of New York City and Northern New Jersey / Dassault Systèmes Presents HomeByMe / Jodi Borges-Bradley Joins Office Creations as Chief Development Officer / B+H Architects Appoints Global Sustainability Lead / Scott Kriech Joins Grand Stands as National Sales Manager
- FIRST LOOKS - Linger a Little Longer - Deli from Scandinavian Spaces / The Nomadic Collection from Concertex / Keilhauer Goes Electric
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Business of Furniture - March 22, 2023
- Own Who You Are and What You Deserve — Women Leaders in Design Weigh in On Rising to the Top and Empowering Others to Do the Same - More than 60% of designers are women. Yet only around 10% of designers are females in leadership positions.
- Family Values and Brand Connection at Forefront of Spectorgroup's New Headquarters - Spectorgroup's new headquarters is an expression of how the firm thinks and the work they do, as well as the changes they have seen and anticipate in workplace design.
- Stephen Says - "I Am a Great Candidate, but I'm Not Getting Interviews! What's Wrong?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Here's my tip for finding an interview the fastest, or, how to get the most interviews while you're looking. You need to express your vulnerability to a perspective employer and everyone you network with.
- Design Has Its Own Rhythm: NeoCon 2023 Keynotes Look to Hip Hop, Community, and Technology to Build our Future - Amy Webb, Michael Murphy, Michael Ford and Lupe Fiasco headline NeoCon 2023. Programming registration opens April 3.
- Poltrona Frau Announces the Launch of BAY SYSTEM, A Flexible New Seating System Designed by Foster + Partners - "We are proud to present this new chapter of the collaboration between Poltrona Frau and Foster + Partners, with whom we have been pursuing a joint effort in the development of new design and creative landscapes for public spaces."
- Cooper Hewitt Announces Formal Establishment of the Digital Curatorial Department - "Digital design will continue to radically change how we interact with the world and with each other in critical ways."
- Vestre Becomes World's First Furniture Company To Use SSAB's Revolutionary Fossil-Free Steel - Today's modern societies literally rest on a cradle of steel – and the metal's uses are almost endless.
- Scale 1:1 Launches Sidekick, The Revolutionary Way to Work - A trusted companion of the hybrid office that provides secure mobile storage and height adjustable workspace, Sidekick pedestals truly do it all – and look good doing it.
- Women of Steel: Breaking Bias, Building a Movement - What Pune, India manufacturing leaders learned while developing an all-woman team.
- Carnegie Fabrics Elevates Offerings With Endeavor Collection - Carnegie designed the Endeavor Collection in response to the renaissance we're seeing in the hospitality space, which has subsequently bled into markets like healthcare, corporate, and multifamily.
- UPFRONT: Turf Launches Plaid, A New Ceiling Scape That Adds Style and Flexibility - "With the introduction of Plaid, we're showcasing Turf's constant drive to create new and innovative tools for specifiers to choose from when considering the acoustics of a space."
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Luxxbox Launches Cono Acoustic Pendant - The playful contrast of its cone shape, distinctive black finial, and upholstered textural wool finish adds character to any room.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Shimmering Surfaces: Meet 3form's New Flare Collection - Inspired by the chromatic spectrum, the Flare collection was created to reflect the inherent beauty of shimmering light.
- HIRED: LRS Architects Welcomes Seasoned Director of Business Development & Marketing, Jewel Kayfes - Kayfes brings fourteen years of experience leading large-scale teams in winning and maintaining client and partnership relationships that meet a company's strategic vision.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Gray Dougherty Joins KOVA as Director of Architecture - A seasoned professional, Dougherty bolsters KOVA's mission to implement and inspire circular design.
- PLACES - Digient Technologies Offices – Chennai | As we ascend to floor one, we experience an unparalleled workspace vibe through interesting nooks and corners, created for brainstorming, focused working and creative sessions in a maximalist yet contemporary style.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Moss Expands Presence Into Poland, Solidifying Global Footprint / Jake Loftis Joins AHF Products as New Chief Operating Officer / Resource Furniture Announces 2023 Promotions and Role Changes / IIDA Foundation Announces 2022 John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship Recipients
- FIRST LOOKS - Lórien: Elegantly Simple Executive Seating / HON is Transforming Productivity at Work with Two New Products: Universal Screens and Flexion / Hybrid Work Means Hybrid Meetings: Framery in the Connected Office / Studio TK Expands Pico Line With New Wood Base Option
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Business of Furniture - March 15, 2023
- HNI Corporation to Acquire Kimball International - "We are excited about joining with Kimball International, a high-quality company we have long admired for its recognized brands, furnishings expertise built over 70 years, and established relationships across multiple sectors."
- The Greatest Reward — Promenaid Solves for Functionality, Accessibility and Beauty in a Handrail - People aren't necessarily against handrails, the notion of the handrail itself, they just don't want a visually unappealing handrail.
- Stephen Says - "My Colleagues Are Back in the Office, but Most of Them Dress Like Slobs." - by Stephen Viscusi - Here's my question to you, Stephen: How do I get my colleagues and my boss on board with the fact that we need to establish some kind of, dare I say, dress code, or at least look neater and cleaner when we're coming to work every day?
- On the Scene - Noteworthy NYC Industry Events, March Edition, by Stefanie Schwalb.
- Functional Art in Hospitality, a Way to Stand Out - One component to consider is the impact of functional art. It serves a utilitarian purpose, creating greater meaning for guests and the property, but it also noticeably adds to the ambiance and unique design of a space.
- AIS Launches New Product Solutions to Enhance the Workplace - New personal task lighting features three sleek, energy efficient options and Calibrate Dry Planters bring maintenance free biophilic accents.
- HLW Launches New Service Offering Through Multidisciplinary Consultancy Division Ark - "Born from a desire to guide our clients through times of uncertainty, Ark is a new studio focused on delivering innovation and resilient thinking."
- Freeform Acquires Brutzman's Office Solutions - Boise-based commercial interiors company acquires Tri-Cities-based office solutions provider.
- Officeworks Wins 2022 Teknion Orion Award - This marks Officeworks' fourth win, taking home four out of the last six Teknion Orion Awards given out since 2014.
- Global Furniture Group, USA Adds to Its Growing Team in The West - New Regional Sales Managers Blake Brotherson and Christy Bouquet are now part of the team.
- America ByDesign Partners with AIA in Season 2 of America ByDesign: Architecture - ByDesign is home to a global collection of primetime television shows on CBS that explore design, featuring the innovators who bring ideas to life.
- Endemic Pods the Solution for Post-Covid Design - When first starting your design process one of the best strategies to implement is to understand how the design is related to everyday business operation.
- TÜV Rheinland North America Invests in New Technology and Innovation Service Center in Tthe Northeast United States - "We are proud to be in a position where our investment allowed us to create 'The TÜV Rheinland Technology and Innovation Center located in North America."
- Emerald Announces New Promotions in the Hospitality Group - "Keisha and Rachel have been vital in the evolution of the BD and HD brands," said Kevin Gaffney, Group Vice President, Design Group, Emerald.
- UPFRONT: 2020 Offers Free e-Learning Class on New Pricing Center Feature - Complimentary course on Cloud Pricing provides designers with information they need to gain a competitive advantage with latest development for 2020 Worksheet.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: EzoBord Unveils PrivaSeat, Designed to Support Focus Work in Hybrid Settings - Pre-assembled and ready to go out of the box, PrivaSeat can be easily affixed to most commercial and residential task chairs.
- COLOR: PANTONEVIEW Color Planner Autumn/Winter 24/25 Now Available - Reflecting this free-spirited color approach, colors for Autumn/Winter 24/25 express a wide range of feelings, from ethereal misty blues, discrete lilacs, cloudy pinks, and clay-based neutrals to intensely saturated hyper violets, inky blues, bioluminescent greens, and decadent reds.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Dara Mir to Step Down as President and CEO of 9to5 Seating - "As I reflect on my time with 9to5 Seating, I am filled with an immense sense of pride and gratitude for what we have achieved together as a company."
- PLACES - Varian Offices – Helsinki | Moving from an office room complex to a multi-space office with only 120 work desks was a significant change, but it was the right decision for the era of hybrid working.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Room & Board Business Interiors Hires Sales Pro Ben Stich / Marnique Heath Recognized Member of AIA College of Fellows / Aspire Pavers Welcomes Jennifer Cella as a Technical Sales Representative / Henriksen Butler Rebrands to HB Workplaces, Embracing a 43-Year Evolution / Ware Malcomb Names Bhavini Hardev as Studio Manager, Interior Architecture & Design in San Francisco Office / SGA Expands Academic Team, Hires New Director of Architecture
- FIRST LOOKS - Introducing Ooty by Allermuir x SmithMatthias / Geiger Expands its Crosshatch Offering with Inaugural Outdoor Collection / Shaw Contract Launches Newest Innovation - BottleFloor
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Business of Furniture - March 8, 2023
- Where I'm Working - Location: Los Angeles | Theme: Women in Leadership | Where I'm Working is the monthly column of Bellow Press Editor-in-Chief Emily Clingman, featuring commentary and photography on issues, trends and ideas in the workplace, design and manufacturing sectors.
- New: SOMA From Pair — a Response to the New Hybrid Office - SOMA isn't attached to individual workstations like traditional storage pedestals in offices.
- Stephen Says - "I Hate My Co-worker's Social Media Posts — But I Like Working with Her" - by Stephen Viscusi - Social Media is a nice way to bond closer with friends at work that we like, however we don't have to like everything about them and their posts. Instead of unfriending someone, I suggest self-editing yourself — and what you read. It's no different than if I watch a scary movie and close my eyes during the jump scene.
- Office Revolution Names Brett Frenier as Principal of Raleigh Location - "I have joined Office Revolution at a time of significant opportunity for the Company and its clients," said Frenier.
- Feud Update: Canadian Court Official Calls DIRTT's Legal Action Against Falkbuilt "a waste of time" - In the latest setback for DIRTT, its application for a summary judgment was dismissed.
- Tangram and Studio Other Furnish New Belkin Headquarters Office in Southern California - "I would say this has been one of the best experiences of my whole career and I am incredibly proud of this place because we were able to really take all of the things we've learned about what Belkin needs and what our employees need and turn it into this facility," said Oliver Seil, Belkin Senior Director. "I couldn't imagine it having turned out any better."
- Landscape Forms Appoints Angela Saladino as Lighting Regional Sales Representative for the Southeast - "My combined lighting industry experience helps me understand the needs of a range of clients, and I look forward to assisting lighting agencies, engineers, and specifiers in my current role with Landscape Forms."
- HBF Textiles Introduces In Your Skin Collection Designed by Erin Ruby - Several patterns are created by amplifying bold textures, while others can be easily blended with other finishes and materials.
- Taking Part in Trade Fairs is an Investment that Pays Off - An AEFI study demonstrates the competitive and economic advantage for Italian businesses choosing to take part in trade fairs. The sectoral industry is the fourth most powerful in the world.
- Indiana Furniture Partners with GOVMVMT for Streamlined Cooperative Purchasing - GOVMVMT provides a powerful, streamlined procurement tool developed specifically to meet and comply with the needs of local, state, and federal agencies.
- Hacin + Associates Announces Leadership Transitions and Brand Update Going Into Its 30th Year - With the addition of new principals, the firm will move to the standalone moniker of Hacin. Stepping away from the identity of Hacin + Associates, the name Hacin supports the wide range of existing disciplines and evolving opportunities for the organization going forward.
- Frövi Calls Floor 11, Suite 101 of The Merchandise Mart their Chicago Home - Frövi's showroom designer, Matt Coules, carefully considered the plans for the space, keeping the human experience at the heart of his designs.
- Page & Turnbull Earns Honors for Innovation, Design, Preservation and Social Progress - With renewed recognition as a most innovative firm and a national leader in work with historic fabric, Page & Turnbull is meeting today's needs, from climate action to social justice.
- Tarkett Adds to Sustainability & Design Teams - Engaging with our sales team and clients is an imperative part of the process to ensure we are exceeding the industry's sustainability expectations."
- IIDA NY Awards Recipients of the Second Annual Hazel Siegel Scholarship - Three students awarded trips to the shift conference in honor of the late designer's devotion to mentorship and student development.
- DIFFA BY DESIGN Returns with New Home AT ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan - The beloved fundraiser will feature signature designer installations and more from May 21-23 at the Javits Center.
- Interface Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results - Net sales totaled $335.6 million, down 1.2% year-over-year. Currency neutral net sales were up 3.6% year-over-year.
- UPFRONT: Carnegie Announces the Passing of John Stein, Founder of Kirei - John founded Kirei over 20 years ago, with a mission to prove that the highest quality design materials and acoustic solutions could be delivered in an environmentally positive way.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Kuvi Integrates Clever Accessories to Provide Endless Flexibility - Developed in response to the need for a more comfortable multi-use chair that supported both individual work and collaboration, product designers sought a solution that would maintain a high level of utility while incorporating the larger proportions and softer cushioning.
- EVENTS: Best of NeoCon 2023 Submissions Are Now Open - The Best of NeoCon finalists are emblematic of the latest trends and movements that are shaping how we work, gather, learn, and communicate.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: Erica Godun Becomes Director, Sustainability of Ware Malcomb - Godun brings more than 25 years of experience in various phases of architecture and design to Ware Malcomb and has been passionate about environmental sustainability throughout her career.
- PLACES - Trilegal Offices – New Delhi | Height-adjustable workstations, break out areas and collaborative work desks make for a hybrid and flexible workspace that supports a healthy work environment and fosters productivity.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - DWR's West Palm Beach Studio Relocates to The Square / Landscape Forms Taps Two Seasoned Veterans to Fill New Role in the Lighting Division / JCJ Architecture Elevates Multiple Long Serving and Senior Level Team Members / DXA Studio Promotes Sando Thordarson to Principal With Additional Promotions from Within / Thinkspace Welcomes New Independent Furniture Representative Bam Associates
- FIRST LOOKS - Humanscale Introduces NeatCharge Update / Beauty in Frame — Scandinavian Spaces Presents Arka / Hightower Launches Three New Collections
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Business of Furniture - March 1, 2023
- Stephen Says - "European Furniture Manufacturer Wants to Sell in U.S." - by Stephen Viscusi - The Viscusi Group has many clients from Europe, all in the same boat. They tell us that the European Union and the U.K are affected far more broadly than the U.S. economy by the war in Ukraine.
- Salone del Mobile.Milano is Back in Business With Exciting New Developments - The 2023 edition will be packed with people and projects, encompassing more than 1.8 million square feet of net exhibition space and 1,962 exhibitors.
- Top 7 Places Architects & Designers Turn for Inspiration - ThinkLab's U.S. Design Industry Benchmark Report for 2023 reveals where A&D are finding sparks of design inspiration.
- Empire Office Launches New Headquarters in New York Showcasing a Sophisticated Design for a Flexible and Modern Way of Working - The result is a welcoming environment that promotes socialization and draws in employees, partners, clients, and visitors.
- ABI January 2023: Architecture Firm Billings Decline at Slower Pace - One in five firms have current international projects, or have had one in the last five years.
- Loll Designs Grows Its Contract Team in Anticipation of New Distribution Model - The made-in-the-USA furniture manufacturer will be available as an open line offering.
- Kimball International's PoppinPods Offer Flexibility for Individual Privacy or Multiperson Meetings - Through Kimball International's extensive research and experience in acoustics, they are excited to launch PoppinPod Kolo and PoppinPod Om to easily create spaces where employees and guests can feel comfortable and confident to ultimately do their best work.
- Allsteel is Defining The Future of Office With Daybook: The Wall That Divides and Unites - Daybook is an amazingly versatile, light-scale wall that can be configured in various ways to equip a high-performance, welcoming workplace.
- Coverings 2023 Commemorates National Tile Day With Annual Top 10 Tile Trends - "Celebrating the ceramic tile trends in commemoration of our seventh annual National Tile Day provides us with another opportunity to recognize and appreciate the benefits of tile and its countless advantages as a material."
- HNI Corporation Reports Earnings for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2022 - Fourth quarter sales of $568.9 million were down 6 percent from year-ago levels, and fourth quarter net income was $16.3 million.
- DIRTT Reports Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Results - Net loss improved to $(5.9) million by $10.1 million, or 63%, from the prior year's fourth quarter and by $0.8 million, or 12%, from the third quarter of 2022.
- UPFRONT: Fellowes Extends Its Brand into Contract Furniture - Both Trendway and ESI brands will transition to the Fellowes Brand in the first half of 2023.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Fellowes Announces Release of Rising, Delivering Unparalleled Sophistication in Monitor Arms - Rising is the most comprehensive range of monitor arms on the market and are meticulously designed to combine unparalleled, sophisticated construction with no-hassle installation and superior functionality to bring higher performance and improved aesthetics to workplaces.
- NOW REPPING: Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of Florida - The curated line will be represented by Materiality Rep Group.
- SHOWROOM SPOTLIGHT: 3form Transforms Showroom Experience, Leaping Into the Virtual World - For designers specializing in a specific industry, the experience is custom-tailored to their specification journey, starting with a building dedicated to healthcare design.
- PLACES - Linmon Pictures Offices – Beijing | As you walk in, the first space you enter is the main hub of first floor- the reception lobby, soon the cantilevered front desk with a length of 7.2 meters comes into sight.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Solomon Coyle Accepting Registrations for Spring Session of Project Management Training / New Podcast from Haworth / Chief Sustainability Officer Jane Abernethy to Represent Humanscale at the World Ocean Summit
- FIRST LOOKS - The SOMA Office Lockers from Pair Designed for Hybrid Workers / KFI Studios Expands Eveleen Outdoor Collection / Landscape Forms Grows Portfolio With Urbidermis – Expands Harpo and Bancal Lines
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Business of Furniture - February 22, 2023
- Stephen Says - "Come Back to Work, Or Get Quietly Fired" - by Stephen Viscusi - Most of the businesses in our industry are private companies and the owners have more leeway to set the rules, without worrying about their public image to the shareholders, and many have been doing just that.
- Eisai Teams Up with HLW to Create New Headquarters and New Culture - The design concept is a way to relate employees to the brand because it makes employees feel tied to their workplace, as opposed to it being a space they just go to for work.
- AIS' National Sales Meeting Wraps Up Successful Year, Promotes Two Sales Team Members - Justin Brzostowski promoted to Director of Sales for New York and New Jersey, Anthony Heim Elevated to Senior Territory Manager for the Carolinas and Tennessee.
- Hempitecture Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting for First-of-its-kind, U.S.-Based Manufacturing Facility - The new facility will produce a wide range of biobased nonwoven products to be used across multiple industries, including the manufacturing of Hempitecture's flagship product, HempWool thermal insulation.
- Nassimi Announces PFAS-Free Production of All Fabrics - Innovative Textile Manufacturer Completes Move to Establish a Fully PFAS-Free Portfolio of High-Performing Fabrics - Human health and environmental stewardship have always been of great importance to Nassimi.
- Kimball International Introduces Creating Places to Belong Initiative - Creating Places to Belong is a collection of tools, insights, personal stories, conversations, and inspiration.
- Spellman Brady & Co. Completes Interior Design for Memory Care Addition - SBC worked with the Director of Assisted Living Facilities, Food Service Manager and Director of Property Management and Technology in the design planning meetings so that they could input the acuity level of their residents; the intended use of the kitchen spaces and common areas; and to help guide material selections and design choices.
- Haworth Sets Global Sales Milestone In 2022 - Haworth reported 2022 global sales of $2.5 billion USD, a 27.5% increase from 2021 that is mostly organic.
- CIFF Guangzhou 2023: The Doors are About to Open Wide! - We are almost there! The 51st CIFF Guangzhou 2023 is ready to open its doors giving an enthusiastic welcome to all the players in the furniture industry and providing a concrete response to the major changes and new challenges at play in the market.
- MillerKnoll 3D Leader, La-Z-Boy Alumna Join 3D Cloud by Marxent Advisory Board - "As we introduce AI/ML, room scanning, and other advanced features, it's critical to keep the client perspective front and center."
- IFDA's Educational Foundation 2023 Board of Trustees - The 2023 Board of Trustees was selected to oversee and administer more than $30,000 in annual design-related scholarships and grants.
- UPFRONT: Tangram Promotes Alyssa Armesto To Vice President, Central Valley - Armesto's new role will place her in charge of sales and operations – managing the entire division in all roles.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Filzfelt Adds New Designs to ARO Grid Acoustic Ceiling Collection - Grid 6 expand on the series from New York-based architecture firm, Architecture Research Office, with two dynamic designs that elevate the acoustic ceiling grid and tackle the conundrum of masking clutter overhead.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: KFI Studios Launches Ember Table - For added functionality, power options can be installed on Ember to conveniently charge devices.
- HIRED: Primeway Adds New National Sales Manager - With over 30 years of experience in the Contract Furniture Industry, Zemer began his career in High School as a furniture installer.
- PEOPLE: Empire Office Grows Atlanta Sales Team Focusing on A&D Relationships and New Business Initiatives - Peter Gaslow, President and CEO of Empire Office, announced that Elizabeth Young (top) and Cameron Giddings (bottom) have joined the company in sales leadership roles in its Atlanta office.
- PLACES - Axpo Group Offices – Warsaw | The key element in the whole project was to provide friendly and safe work stations and at the same time adjust the work model to the current trends.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Humanscale Looks to its Customers for Workplace Insights to Inform Future Wellness & Ergonomic Needs / Mannington Commercial's Open Range Named a 2023 ADEX Platinum Award Recipient / Six Global Stantec Offices Earn WELL Health-Safety Rating / Bjelin Hardened Wood Wins Best Overall Product Award at TISE 2023 / Lesro Welcomes New Manufacturer Representative / JSI Announces New Partnership in Arizona & New Mexico / //3877 Welcomes Interior Designer to Multi-Disciplinary Team / Bendheim Names Donald Jayson as President
- FIRST LOOKS - Resource Furniture to Showcase Giro / Mammoth Office Furniture Helps Refurnish Local Chamber of Commerce Offices in Historic Town Hall Building / BuzziSpace Introduces New Sustainable Acoustic Solution, BuzziFold / RBW Partners with Jonas Damon on Highline, its Most Versatile Light Yet / Herman Miller Introduces Bound: Acoustic Screens Designed to Deflect Distractions / Waterworld - Expansive New Light Shifting and Embossed Water Effect Designs / Móz Designs' Biophilic, Backlit Columns Prioritize the Patient's Experience / Hightower Announces Expansion of FourDesign Collections, FourSure & FourCast / The Agility Company Launches New Height Adjustable Benching Solution
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Business of Furniture - February 15, 2023
- Herman Miller Presents: The Passport Work Table, the Intuitive Height-Adjustable Table Designed to Fit Everywhere - Pneumatic table showcases mobile design that maximizes performance while minimizing footprint.
- Stephen Says - "Lowest Unemployment in 53 Years: No One Will Accept My Job Offer. Help!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Whether you do it on your own or if you hire an independent recruiter, the secret is always the same today — which is, to get an employee to "yes," or to attract a top performer with a "book of business" to come to your company, it all comes down to the base. The base, the base, the base — salary, that is.
- Design Hackathon: Introducing the Design Hackathon Advisory Council for 2023 - Together, this council will challenge outdated industry norms and map the most impactful way to connect with the next generation.
- FCA Signs AIA Climate Agreement, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Design - Firm joins efforts towards a carbon-neutral built environment through a sustainability-driven culture.
- Face-to-Face Banking: How KB Rethinks Stoic Industries for the Modern Age - The pilot branch in Prague has been so successful that it has scaled to 20 other branches within the Czech Republic.
- LightCorp Grows Its West Elm Partnership with Exclusive Product - The unique hexagon shape allows multiple planters to be nested together at varying heights.
- TUCK, the Ultra-Portable Power Solution from STUDIO by Dekko - Principled in design and customization, the palette and finishing selections provide an aesthetic appeal to complement any space.
- Stockholm Furniture Fair: Nowy Styl & Kusch+Co Presented Sustainable Approach to Products, Services, and Brand Mission - Their leading motif was: in tune with nature, emphasizing the connection of the offer and the business approach to the natural world.
- Mohawk Industries Reports Q4 2022 Results - Mohawk concluded 2022 with a strong balance sheet, low net debt leverage of 1.3 times EBITDA and available liquidity of approximately $1.8 billion to manage the current environment and optimize our long-term results.
- Kimball International Introduces a New Seating Solution and Harmonized Surface Materials Program - Chaddy offers extreme versatility and exceptional comfort.
- Greg Stoner Joins Indiana Furniture's Board of Directors - Stoner has nearly 40 years of progressive experience with manufacturing and marketing-related companies, including General Electric Lighting, Newell-Rubbermaid, Masterbrand Cabinets, Metrie, and, most recently, Olon Industries.
- Sustainable Concepts Shortlisted for Wege Prize '23 Offer Real-World Solutions for Circular Economy - Wege Prize announces 15 semifinalist student teams for global student innovation competition, with participants from 23 countries including Mozambique, Costa Rica, China, the U.K. and Canada.
- Registration Now Open: NeoCon 2023 - The 54th edition will bring the community together at THE MART with product launches, programming, invaluable networking, and more from June 12-14, 2023.
- UPFRONT: dancker Acquires Columbia, MD-Based DBE Systems, an Integrated Technology Contractor - "The addition of DBE further strengthens dancker's already formidable ability to integrate architectural, furniture, technology, and logistics solutions as a trusted, single-source provider to corporate, government, education, and healthcare facilities," said dancker CEO Steven Lang.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Humanscale Updates the Freedom Ergonomic Stools with Active Pony - This stool features the compact pony saddle seat, a unique triangular cushion that reduces pressure points for long-term comfort while supporting a healthy lumbar spine.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: New Tarkett Even Plane LVT Offers Top-of-Class Sound Absorption - Beneath the surface of Even Plane LVT, a non-woven fiberglass layer resists indentation and dampens sound both within the space and between floors.
- AWARDED: Steelcase Named One of the World's Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE - "We're thrilled to be named to FORTUNE's Most Admired List alongside so many remarkable companies," said Sara Armbruster, president and CEO of Steelcase.
- PEOPLE: MillerKnoll Welcomes its Inaugural Curatorial Fellow to Cranbrook Art Museum - "We are delighted to welcome our first MillerKnoll Curatorial Research Fellow to our historic campus," said Andrew Blauvelt, Director of Cranbrook Art Museum.
- PLACES - Lumenis Offices – Shanghai | Next to the workstation area is an open collaborative area where employees can start a brainstorming session at any time.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Landscape Forms Celebrates 33 Design Awards and Recognitions in 2022 / TPG Architecture Promotes Two Long-Time Team Members to Managing Executive / JCJ Architecture Elevates Multiple Long Serving and Senior Level Team Members / Svigals + Partners Advances Architect Alana Konefal, Leader of Complex Projects / Ghent's Glassboards & Whiteboards in CET Designer Marketplace
- FIRST LOOKS - Spec Expands Hardi Product Offering / Introducing NEO Architectural Lighting: Humanizing Spaces with Light / Luum Launches Earthly Artifacts Collection | Combining Elements of Art, Anthropology, and Geology / Rottet Collection Wins Chicago Athenaeum 2022 GOOD DESIGN Award for The Walking Bench
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Business of Furniture - February 8, 2023
- The Layered Language of Lighting — Flos Considers Both Function and Aesthetics in its Designs - Human-centric lighting is a growing trend in commercial lighting design, which takes into account the impact of lighting on human health and well-being.
- ASID 2023 Trends Outlook: Mental Health, Sustainability, and Design for the Metaverse - The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its 2023 Trends Outlook report, examining societal shifts and economic trends impacting the design profession and the role of design in addressing issues in our world.
- Stephen Says - "My New Boss Has No More Experience Than Me, And I Resent Reporting to Her" - by Stephen Viscusi - Instead of being angry or jealous, why not embrace this as a chance to win over the new boss, jump right in, and be willing to share your knowledge of the region and your dealers and customers?
- In Memoriam: Joe Hollman, Founder of the Dallas-based Hollman, Inc. — Industry Leader in Locker Design and Solutions - With great sadness, Hollman announced the passing of Joe Hollman. Joe passed away Jan. 26, surrounded by family at his home in Dallas.
- GMi Companies Announces Promotions and Additions of Key Positions - GMi Companies, parent company of Ghent, the leader in visual communications and space solutions, announced several promotions and organizational changes to better serve customers in the coming years.
- Loftwall Launches Arbor: Acoustic Wood Panels with a Natural Vibe - Texas-based manufacturer continues march towards solving the privacy problems of the modern office.
- LINAK U.S. Acquires New Building, Expanding Louisville Campus To Over 39 Acres - "Market demand continues to grow for our products and solutions in North and South America" said Magnus Conradsen, president of LINAK U.S.
- NARBUTAS at The 2023 Stockholm Furniture Fair - "For many years, we have been not only producing furniture, but also creating workspace solutions," said Vilma Sinkevičiūtė, NARBUTAS Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
- Stockholm Furniture Fair 2023 - Live Photos from the Stockholmsmässan
- Wallcoverings Association Annual Meeting Seeks to Better the Future of the Industry - Gina Shaw, EVP of Product Development for York Wallcoverings, received the wallcovering industry's highest honor, the Allman Award.
- Creative Office Resources Celebrates One Year - "Over the last year our company has learned, grown and leaned into new ways of doing business together," said CEO Denise Horn.
- Dyer Brown Promotes Ashley Dunn and Sara Ross to Principal - "Our success depends upon the success of the people and companies we serve," said president Brent Zeigler, AIA, IIDA, in announcing the key elevations.
- American Olean Celebrates 100th Anniversary at Allegiant Stadium - "Many of the key moments at tonight's reception revolved around thanking our valued distributors," said Hector Narvaez, vice president of distributor sales for Dal-Tile LLC.
- Storr Office Environments Named "Great Place to Work" for 2022 - "Our company's purpose is to positively impact the lives of our Team Members, Customers and Community."
- Adam Gregory Named New VP of Design at IOA - Commercial and contract design leader brings over a decade of product development, engineering experience to the role.
- Charlan Brock Architects: Impacting Lives Together Since 1981 - With a core of accomplished leaders guiding over 100 diverse and talented team members, CBA is unified by their singular goal of Impacting Lives Together.
- 3form Debuts 2023 Color Collection - "We see color as a main ingredient in creating welcoming gathering spaces," said 3form Chief Creative Officer Ryan Smith.
- Kimball International Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results - Strong Growth in Sales and Operating Profits / Leadership in Ancillary Products and Secondary Geographies Continues to Drive Industry-leading Performance / Maintains Fiscal 2023 Guidance for Adjusted EBITDA Growth of 47% Despite Industry Headwinds
- UPFRONT: Installnet Launches Brand Refresh Reflecting Purpose and Mission - The company's new wordmark reflects its modern and flexible approach to finding solutions that simplify the creation of inspired workspaces.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Unika Vaev Introduces Latest Acoustic Product Collection - "This latest collection of versatile decorative acoustic products continues to reinforce Unika Vaev's commitment to offer an extensive range of beautiful products for a wide range of applications," said C. Wick Wolfe, president, Unika Vaev.
- TRENDS: Daltile Releases 2023 Annual Trend Report - "Style and design surround us — impacting how we feel, the personality of a room, or the energy of a space," said Laura Grilli, director of product design for Daltile.
- NEW WEBSITE: Kimball International Launches New Web Experience - The new website is now organized around the company's key vertical markets, including workplace, health, education, and hospitality.
- PLACES - Boston Consulting Group Offices – Seoul | Founded in 1993, BCG Seoul has relocated to brand new building celebrating their 30th anniversary on 2023.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - JSI Announces New Partnership in the Pacific Northwest / Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming / Design Pool Launches Mapping Library to Use in Renderings / Registration for NeoCon 2023 Now Open / Michael Graves Architecture Acquires Walter Robbs Callahan & Pierce Architects
- FIRST LOOKS - Clear Design Launches KOLAB Lounge Seating / Vignelli Rocker / New Year, Fresh Novelties from Ethnicraft / Leland Introduces New Colors for Slam, Elevates a Natural Palette and Sustainable Manufacturing / Heller Reissues Float
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Business of Furniture - February 1, 2023
- Stephen Says - "I'm a Regional Sales Manager Who Wants to Go Back to Being a Sales Rep, But How?" - by Stephen Viscusi - I get it, and I am not one of the recruiters that would discourage you, but I would tell you to carefully inspect and reposition your LinkedIn profile and resume with an eye towards being much more modest than they probably look now.
- Interiors Industry Forecast: Focus on These 5 Shifts to Get Ahead in 2023 - Today's design teams are formed around the best talent for the job, with less emphasis than ever on physical location. Tomorrow's comp plans and distribution models will need to align.
- 2022-Q4 Market Outlook Report Now Available - Billings and pipeline increasing, backlogs come off of historic peak.
- Steelcase and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Launch New Collaborative Collection - Drawing on a connection that began over 80 years ago, the two organizations debut a collection for living and working at home.
- Project Spotlight: Helping the Homeless - We believe that everybody deserves the opportunity for a fulfilling future, this is why when you select Verandas not only are you choosing a sustainable, design-led solution, but you're investing in a greater future for all," Nick Stedman, VP Marketing at Spacestor.
- Highlights: BIFMA 360 Leadership Conference Future First - Celebrating 50 years of success, BIFMA members can be proud of the industry they have built.
- Rimadesio Miami by Solesdi Opens New Store in Design District - The exhibition space is designed to create a continuous environment and communicate the best qualities of the brand.
- Fishman Flooring Solutions Names Tarkett Contract 2022 Vendor Partner of the Year - "I speak for the entire Tarkett Commercial team when I say we are truly humbled and honored to receive this recognition for the second straight year," said Kevin McGregor, commercial sales vice president for Tarkett.
- Legrand Announces New Chief Marketing Officer, Laurie Englert - Laurie brings to this position 30+ years of experience in various marketing and communication roles; managing high-performing, customer-focused functional teams such as digital experience, customer relationship management (CRM), learning experience, channel marketing, customer care, and more.
- Clever Joins the SURROUND Podcast Network - Prior to her foray into podcasting, Amy Devers spent years as an independent designer and builder of furniture and interiors.
- Mohawk Group Launches Sustainability Estimator Platform to Gauge Impact of Flooring Specifications - When you are able to have a firsthand glimpse of the possible positive effects of your specifications, it is incredibly empowering. That alone connects all the dots in a very tangible and meaningful way.
- Spacekit Partners with Armstrong World Industries - "We're a team of designers with a passion for beautiful spaces – a passion we share with Armstrong," said Rob Barber, ATOMIC/Spacekit Vice President Modular Systems and R&D.
- Cooper Robertson Elevates Team and Amplifies Leadership, Adding Two High-Profile Directors - Growing firm announces promotions and addition of two established leaders in urban design and architecture in key positions to expand portfolio of building and citymaking works globally .
- Team Led by Buro Happold Creates Sustainable Design Guidelines for the University of Southern California - For USC, the new guidelines establish process management guidance for project teams to understand their roles and responsibilities, as well as key sustainability activities required for tracking and reporting.
- Supporting Healthcare Safety and Flexibility - Steelcase Health partners with KwickScreen to address infection control and flexibility in healthcare spaces.
- UPFRONT: Claridge Welcomes Mark Pescatello as the New SVP of Operations - Mark brings tremendous talent and nearly 30 years of operations management to Claridge, most recently serving as SVP of Operations for HAPCO Pole Products/Concord American Flagpole.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: 9to5 Seating Unveils Designer Multipurpose Chair Cavo - Aesthetics are only half the story with this durable, easy-to-clean seating solution.
- AWARDED: Lesro Announces 2022 Rep of the Year - Chris Ivan of Ace Office Furniture has been awarded Lesro Industries' coveted Manufacturers Rep of the Year Award.
- EXPANDING: Lodes Announces Strategic Expansion in North America - "I am incredibly proud of the growth we've been able to achieve since my grandfather, Angelo Tosetto, founded the company in 1950," said Lodes Managing Director, Massimiliano Tosetto.
- PLACES - ZOZO Offices – Chiba, Japan | The architect's aim was to create a "regionally integrated office" that will grow with the city.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - HNI Global and KOKUYO Partner to Expand Services Worldwide / LRS Architects Celebrates Growth, Promotes Boumatar and Loverro to Associate
- FIRST LOOKS - Okamura's LW Lounge – The Form of Feeling Good at Work / Deep Cushions, Deeper Convos in Crest from Scandinavian Spaces / KFI Studios Launches Willow Table
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Business of Furniture - January 25, 2023
- Top Eight Workplace Trends for 2023 - A company culture that prioritizes employee health and wellbeing has the best chance of attracting and retaining top talent, as well as amplifying the employee experience.
- 9to5 Seating Wins Four GOOD DESIGN Awards - "Last year, 9to5 Seating received three prestigious GOOD DESIGN Awards and to receive four awards this year is representative of our continued commitment to providing high-design products to the market that are both functional and attainable," said Dara Mir, President and CEO of 9to5 Seating.
- Framery Builds Best-In-Class Hybrid Workspaces with Logitech - All-in-one video conference set-ups equip the office for effective and intuitive hybrid work.
- Finch™ Takes Flight - Byrne's clever new accessory is perfectly positioned to elevate any space with easily-accessible power from both the front and back.
- Allsteel Moves Sales Organization to Chicago - In late Spring of 2023, Allsteel will open the doors to its new Experience Center in Fulton Market in Chicago, one of the fastest growing markets for Allsteel and the HNI family of brands.
- Years In The Making: The McKenzie Family's Continued Investment In Watson's Future - As CK McKenzie takes on the role of President, we look at the ways the McKenzie family has shaped Watson's culture, and how they're committed to help guide its future while maintaining its deeply-held values.
- As New Year Rings in, Wyatt Seating Celebrates with New Staff and Promotions - As operations continue to grow, a trusted leader in seating solutions promotes new VP, adds fresh talent to operation.
- Louis Poulsen Announces Appointment of CEO, US and Canada - "We see an incredible potential in the US and Canada, and we're excited to bring Carly Conelli in to ensure continued growth." said Tommy Rothoff, Louis Poulsen's chief sales officer.
- Formica Celebrates 110th Anniversary - Iconic inventor of laminate will commemorate its history and future with events, product highlights throughout the year.
- Choosing Color, Materiality and Design - The Davis Color Story continues to expand with the release of the Aurora Leather Collection.
- KAI Enterprises and The UP Companies CEO Michael Kennedy, Jr. Named a 2023 St. Louis Titan 100 - As CEO of Minority Business Enterprise KAI (architecture, engineering and construction firm) and UPCO (electrical, carpentry and labor subcontractor services), Kennedy has successfully embraced change in the ever-evolving design and construction industry.
- Stephen Says - "Is Your Email Address Costing You a Job?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Before we get into the fun and games, let me just point out why the email address on resumes is so important.
- UPFRONT: BOS Orlando Names New Executive Team - BOS, a 100% ESOP, full-service Haworth Preferred Office Furniture Dealership, is pleased to announce new executive leadership as Robert Bagley, III joins Mike Berry.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Introducing Spinni by Division Twelve - The bent metal furniture brand takes on the classic drafting stool, with a twist.
- NOW REPPING: Landscape Forms Appoints Annette Baubie as Business Development Representative for British Columbia - Baubie brings to Landscape Forms over 25 years of experience in the furniture industry, working extensively with architecture and design professionals, contractors, and end users alike.
- INDUSTRY FABRIC: Bernie Gordon - Bernie Gordon, Co-founder of Wolf-Gordon and beloved father of former Executive Vice President David Gordon, recently passed away.
- PLACES - Nestlé Offices – Jakarta | The Customer Engagement Centre for Nestlé Professional is designed for team meetings and training sessions with customers.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Ware Malcomb Announces Promotion of Yamini Mudaliar to Studio Manager, Architecture in Atlanta Office / FK Architecture Adds Talent and Continues Growth, Hires John Anderson, Linda Rodriguez, and Hamilton Carias / Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering Welcomes Commercial Interiors Industry Titan Paul Cleary as New President and CEO- Former Mohawk Group SVP Brings Years of Industry Leadership Experience to Momentum / Hollman Announces Promotion of Sue Hwang to President and COO / Material Bank Expands Global Presence with Launch in Europe
- FIRST LOOKS - Kirei Unveils Geo Collection of Printed Acoustic Panels / Flos Skynest: Hypnotizing Woven Light
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Business of Furniture - January 18, 2023
- Imperfections Are the Perfection — Mantra Inspired Furniture Finds Beauty and Sustainability in Solid Wood - "Every plank, every knot, that's the beauty of it. When I see knots and 'imperfections' it makes me wonder, where was this tree? What animals climbed this tree? What did this tree see? There's so much life in wood. That's so cool to me."
- Five Foundational Shifts You Should Make Now To Avoid Falling Behind In 2023 - A ThinkLab survey of in-industry leaders found that only 56 percent of companies surveyed feel their model today is more successful than it was pre-pandemic.
- Stephen Says - "Who Are the Nepo Babies?" - by Stephen Viscusi - I can't address examples of nepotism in industries other than our furniture and interiors industry. However, I personally know, and have done business with, many furniture executives who have helped their children find jobs in our industry and my take is that both the parents and the children are hard workers and successful on their own merit.
- Frank Bucher Assumes Role of Formaspace CEO - Thanks to Frank Bucher's leadership, the company had its best year ever in 2022, with revenue doubling despite significant economic headwinds due to pandemic and supply-chain issues.
- KI Announces Inaugural Classroom Furniture Giveaway for Teachers - Three winners will each be awarded $40,000-worth of KI furniture of their choosing to receive the classroom makeover of their dreams.
- Palmer Hamilton Partners with NOOK to Launch the NOOK Huddle pod - Palmer Hamilton manufactures the NOOK Huddle pod at its Elkhorn, Wisconsin manufacturing plant.
- Acer Unveils the eKinekt Bike Desk to Empower Active and Sustainable Lifestyles - As the rider pedals, the eKinekt converts kinetic energy into an electric charge. One hour of constant cycling at 60 RPM on the bike desk can generate 75 watts of self-generated power.
- Landscape Forms Announces Third Phase of Lighting Road Show - Beginning in the new year, the company will continue showcasing their latest lighting solutions with designers of outdoor space throughout the US South and West Coast.
- Teknion Brings Festival of Trees to Dallas - Fourteen of some of Dallas' most talented designers gathered with Teknion in a competition to transform the Dallas Teknion showroom into a festive forest of trees.
- CIFF Guangzhou 2023: Ready to Welcome International Visitors Again - All of China's entry restrictions have been lifted and all services have been safely resumed. This good news means that CIFF is finally able to warmly welcome back its large community of international partners.
- Styling Pantone's Viva Magenta - Pantone's color of the year may seem like a brave choice for paint if you're a more classic and reserved decorator who usually remains loyal to the steadfast nature of a neutral.
- Tangram Furnishes Innovative New Chapman Swenson Family Hall of Engineering - The original Keck Center for Science and Engineering received a 31,000 square foot interior build-out for the new engineering school.
- Renovation Of University Engineering Lab to Spark Urban Design Innovation - The transformed space is already having a big impact on the experience of students and faculty, with state-of-the-art fabrication equipment and vibrant environmental graphics in a flexible academic setting.
- UPFRONT: Saul Feldberg, 1935 – 2023 - Saul founded Global in 1966, with a singular vision; to manufacture an office chair the average person could afford.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Maharam Introduces Prism by Paul Smith - Based on the pixelated image of a checkered textile featured in a Paul Smith womenswear collection, Prism uses intricate color blending to create a painterly grid animated by value, arrangement, and scale.
- QUICK SHIP: The Agility Company Introduces New Quick Ship Height Adjustable Table - The Slope Desk's sophisticated design pairs a simple rectangular column with an eye-catching angled foot.
- PLACES - Emerson Offices – Warsaw | The new office had to be tailored to the staff – engineers who work there need large desks because they own a lot of equipment.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - FitzGerald Welcomes Elma Milanovic / Ware Malcomb Promotes Lyz Ward to Studio Manager, Branding in New York City Office / Ware Malcomb Promotes Lynne Orlowski To Director, Interior Architecture & Design In Phoenix Office / LET'S NEOCONNECT: NeoCon Launches a New Year-Round Events and Programming Series / Katie Clark Joins KI as Higher Education Market Manager / Woodstock Introduces Logo Designed by Specify Creative / Kimball International Named One of America's Most Responsible Companies / Tarkett Announces Partnership with Midwest Floor Coverings / Inscape, in Trouble, Files for CCAA Protection
- FIRST LOOKS - Artaic's New Tile Mosaic Design Evokes the Serene Nature of the Outdoors / JSI Launches Poet Lounge / Watson Launches CET Extension
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Business of Furniture - January 11, 2023
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Nova: 9to5 Seating Launches the Innovative HÅG SoFi Task Chair - HiP award-winning seating solution joins the @NCE collection.
- Real Amenities Equal Real Results: Spectorgroup Understands What Attracts People to the Office - To enhance the community aspect, Spectorgroup also moved away from the traditional reception area design — a big desk front and center in the lobby with a receptionist as the gatekeeper.
- Arconas Announces Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Sellex - "We're excited for this new partnership with Sellex," said Pablo Reich, Arconas' Executive Vice President.
- Fellowes Brands Receives ISG "Supplier Partner of the Year" Award - Fellowes was the recipient of the esteemed award for a variety of reasons, including its over 150% growth year over year on the AMK Pro line.
- Indiana Furniture Kicks Off The New Year By Introducing Healthcare-Oriented Options And Other Product Enhancements - Inspired by the staying power and classic design of Indiana Furniture's popular Gleem Seating line, Gleem+ was designed for high traffic and multi-use areas, as well as patient management, to bring lasting comfort and style to a wide range of spaces, including Healthcare and Educational environments.
- Artopex Inaugurates the StudioLab: A New Creative Space Highlighting the Company's Innovative Philosophy - This new space, located at the Pro-Systèmes plant in Granby, will become the official incubator for Artopex's next products.
- Plural Studios Names Lisa Schroeder as Partner and Vice President Sales - Commercial furniture sales expert brings 35 years experience in providing solutions for healthy spaces.
- AAA Business Supplies & Interiors Welcomes The Office City into the Family - Bill Jones, long a leader in the AOPD community, and Jerry Carroll, who is currently serving on the Pinnacle board, are both joining AAA in key leadership roles.
- Chilewich Appoints Kevin McVey to Hybrid CFO-COO Role - McVey comes to Chilewich from MillerKnoll, where he served as Senior Vice President of Finance, Americas, and Group Brands.
- Expanded, Reinvented 'Heart' of Cathedral School in San Francisco Designed by Office of Charles F. Bloszies - Sensitive addition and reorganization led by Charles Bloszies FAIA creates modern moment in historic milieu, responsive to context with elegant, sustainable design solution for boys school.
- Bruder Office Furniture Gears Up for North American Expansion in 2023 - The business was founded during the epidemic by three brothers who were in the last-mile delivery services sector.
- Andreu World Opens its Showroom in Charlotte, North Carolina - A new showroom inspired by sustainable design.
- COE Distributing Honors Institutional Associates, Inc. for Multiple Achievements During Company's Annual Sales Meeting - For a record fifth-straight year, Pennsylvania' office furniture giant celebrates Atlanta-headquartered rep group with Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year awards.
- Allseating Launches Rühe, a Multi-Range Seating Collection Emphasizing Rest and Wellness - Suitable for a variety of public settings such as corporate waiting areas, hospitals, airports, and educational institutions, the Rühe collection is comprised of guest, patient, lounge, and several table options.
- Stephen Says - "Slow Start to the New Year" - by Stephen Viscusi - There are a number of factors that contribute to a post-New Years' lull in attitude and sometimes in sales. Which is to say that, yes, of course this is a real thing! A main culprit that I have written about in this space before is a major increase in the new year's sales goal.
- UPFRONT: Via Seating Expands Sales & Marketing Teams with 2 New VPs - Ashley Blevins, New Vice President of Sales and Allison Kausar, Vice President of Marketing.
- ACQUIRED:Young Office Acquires McWaters, Expands Footprint in South Carolina & Georgia - "We are excited to announce the acquisition of McWaters," Young Office President and CEO Thomas Young IV said.
- PLACES - Ubisoft Offices – Abu Dhabi | The spaces of the office are designed for the people who are go-getters, bold and future thinkers. When the brief was presented, we are tasked to create a space that would encourage the users to move.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Chicagoland SPEC'd Firm to Represent Nevers Industries in Illinois / Landscape Forms Announces Lighting Agency Partnership with Alaska Architectural Lighting / Unika Vaev Promotes Jessica Lawton to Vice President of Operations / KAI Hires Andrew Kerr-Grant as Senior Project Architect
- FIRST LOOKS - FSR Announces Plans to Bring International Infrastructure and Power Solutions to ISE / SitOnIt Seating Delivers a Broad Yet Curated Tables Collection with Parallon
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Business of Furniture - January 4, 2023
- Stephen Says - "Why Do MillerKnoll Dealers Keep Hiring Each Other's People?" - by Stephen Viscusi - I'm fine with a MillerKnoll merger and I'd like to stay put, but I have this nagging feeling that I should start interviewing around, like a lot of these other people are doing. What's your advice?
- Framery Announces A Product Offering in Perfect Harmony - Color choices in office design need to support the employees that utilize the office space every day. The color choices made by Framery reflect their goal to provide users with a place to focus, relax, and conduct video meetings.
- Solomon Coyle Ye2022 Financial Benchmarking Survey Now Underway - The survey includes the participation of Allsteel, Haworth, MillerKnoll, Kimball International, Steelcase, and Teknion, LLC aligned dealers.
- Affordable Office Interiors Names New President - Jessica Platt started with AOI, in Madison, Wisconsin as a Showroom Manager and Designer in November of 2010. She quickly demonstrated organizational, sales and leadership qualities that developed into numerous promotions throughout her career.
- Carnegie Fabrics Launches the World's First Plant-Based, Commercial-Grade Indoor/Outdoor Textile - Outdoor Biobased Xorel breaks through greenwashing noise as the first and only indoor/outdoor textile to achieve Cradle to Cradle Gold and Living Product Challenge certifications.
- USAI Lighting's New LittleOnes Micro Doubles Bring Twice the Luminosity - LittleOnes Micro Doubles provide options for interior designers, architects, and architectural lighting specifiers that meet the requirements for nearly any project.
- Kimball International Announces WELL Certified Platinum for Corporate Headquarters - "We are incredibly proud to achieve WELL Certified Platinum for our corporate headquarters," said Jessica Gubbins, Senior Director of Brand Marketing, Kimball International.
- Herman Miller Named a Frontrunner and Disclosure Leader in Chemical Transparency - The Chemical Footprint Project recognizes companies for their commitment to minimizing their chemical footprint and integrating criteria for safer alternatives into their design and safety processes.
- Richard French Named President of Mannington Commercial - A veteran of the floor covering industry his entire career, French was most recently the senior vice president and chief commercial officer at Bentley Mills.
- Acoufelt Expands Global and North American Design Teams - The resource investment coincides with architects and interior space planners becoming more attuned to the contributions of acoustic soundscaping for building occupants.
- Colberg Architecture Completes New Corporate Offices for Technological Cinevideo Services (TCS) at Brooklyn Navy Yard - Brooklyn-based architect & design studio creates new headquarters for leading camera equipment rental house.
- National Firm Three Launches Studio for Interior Architecture and Design for Workplace, Clubs: Cura Interiors - Led by Director of Interior Design Sarah Bay, cura interiors delivers compelling and transformative environments for work and leisure settings.
- Blu Dot Flagship in San Francisco Debuts, Designed by the Office of Charles F. Bloszies FAIA with Brand's Leaders - Second store location by Charles Bloszies firm for Blu Dot displays sensitivity to local context as well as expertise in adaptive reuse and elegant, sustainable design solutions.
- UPFRONT: BOS Tampa Expands - Michael Furnari has been promoted to Market President for the Tampa office, and in this leadership change, Kevin Baker will be stepping down after fourteen years of leading the Tampa-based team.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Nova: Humanscale's Task Light for Video Calls - Nova's counterbalance arms rotate up to 180 degrees, offering exceptional customization and ergonomic benefits; they also allow the fixture's body and head to be effortlessly adjusted with one hand.
- WALLCOVERINGS: Transform with Texture - DI-NOC from Designtex - This new collection of self-adhesive wallcoverings offers over 800 patterns — ranging from luxurious woods, decorative metals and sophisticated stones.
- PLACES - One42 Offices – Ahmedabad | Visitors are greeted with a custom white oak reception desk inspired by the pickaxes used by coal miners. In contrast, vertical mesh panels with stones acts as an elegant backdrop to the lighter, more sculptural desk.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of Indiana and Kentucky / Nieves Appointed to Nevers Territory Sales Position / Office Furniture Recyclers (OFR) Conference, February 14-17 2023, Orlando, FL / Architecture Firm RDC Promotes Exec To Senior Principal; Expert on Retail and Hospitality Design
- FIRST LOOKS - BuzziSpace Introduces BuzziRugs Clouds / Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet & Leather Introduces Four New Leather Qualities
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Business of Furniture - December 21 & 28, 2022
- The Year in Review — 2022 Shaped Up To Be Innovative and Inspirational - We congratulate all the companies and stakeholders in the design industry this year, that have bounced back, grown stronger, and have inspirational visions for the future of workplace design.
- Stephen Says - "New Year, New Job!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Most other industries are more welcoming of people outside of the box than the office furniture industry is. That's why I suggest going outside your comfort zone.
- Regional Growth Attracts Interior Solutions Firm to Acquire Fargo-based Office Furniture Dealer - Going forward, the Fargo office will be known as Christiansons by Fluid to sustain the broad market awareness it has had in the region for decades.
- Ethosource Office Furniture Announces Promotions Amid Extraordinary Company Growth In 2022 - "The promotions of these valued staff members are an important step in our continued growth as a company," said President and Owner of Ethosource John Gallen.
- NARBUTAS Triple Success at the German Design Award 2023 - Two collections – ZEDO desks and SURF chairs – were awarded the Special Mention'23 prize, and NOVA Wood Multipurpose won the Winner'23 award.
- Loll Designs' Year of Giving - For its 14th consecutive year, Loll Designs made its annual contribution to 1% for the Planet, donating 1% of the net sales from its best-selling Lollygagger Collection.
- IIDA Announces Winners of 13th Annual Global Excellence Awards - "It is a pleasure to highlight an impressive array of projects from around the world," said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA.
- MillerKnoll Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results - Sales growth of 4% over the prior year, up 8% organically; Continued progress with the integration of Knoll.
- Steelcase Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results - Revenue and earnings growth driven by strong beginning backlog and year-over-year pricing benefits; Actions to reduce cost structure expected to produce approximately $30 million of annualized savings.
- Keilhauer's Forsi Chair Named Best of Year - "The Forsi collection acts as a sophisticated, functional solution for the modern workplace, and the evolving needs of those who occupy them," said Mike Keilhauer, president.
- RDC Promotes Sean Slater, Principal-in-Charge of the RDC San Diego Office, to Senior Principal - "The San Diego design community provides a rich environment for innovation and future thinking," said Slater. "I am excited to continue to serve clients locally and nationally, while growing community here in San Diego."
- UPFRONT: Henricksen Welcomes Tegin Roche Woods as Vice President of Marketing and Communications - In her role, Roche Woods will lead Henricksen's Proposals, Marketing, and Communications teams by serving as the strategic brand visionary and leading the development of robust marketing strategies and content that will fuel Henricksen's growth and provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: KFI Studios Introduces Tioga Seating Collection - The Tioga collection includes an arm and armless guest chair, arm and armless lounge chair, ottoman, barstool, and counter stool.
- TRAINING: Solomon Coyle Now Accepting Registrations for Winter Session of Project Management Training - Classes to be held for aligned Haworth, MillerKnoll, and Steelcase Dealers and Non-Aligned Dealers
- PLACES - ACSV Legal Offices – Ho Chi Minh City | From layout to the color schemes, all design elements need to come together in a way that exudes competence and understanding.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Kimball International Receives Multiple Best of Year Product Awards from Interior Design Magazine / ASID Student Portfolio Competition Opens for Submissions / HNI Corporation Ranks Number Six in Newsweek's List of America's 500 Most Responsible Companies For 2023
- FIRST LOOKS - Clear Design Adds The Acacia Series to Willow Park / Rock Crystal & Solid Brass Cabinet Handle Collection by Deco & Deco / New Hollman Acrylic Lockers
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 14, 2022
- Engaging and Inspiring — Design Studio SOSO Aims to Foster Simple Human Connection Through Multidimensional Technology Art - There are lots of ways to revive the office and use unique design elements to tempt workers out of their homes. SOSO's installations are not only hard to resist, they are indeed engaging and bring people together.
- Stephen Says - "Never Assume the Reason You Just Got Fired Is the Real Reason You Just Got Fired." - by Stephen Viscusi - Often, being fired has to do with the ultimate number you're being paid in your salary. In other words, it is never really the reason they tell you, unless you have had a series of bad performance reviews.
- BDNY Returns with Enthusiastic Attendance and a Spotlight on Thought-Provoking Design - Thousands of industry professionals explored new products from nearly 600 exhibitors and learned about the latest trends and issues in hospitality from sessions covering innovation in design, wellness and mindfulness, navigating inclusivity, and the future of hospitality.
- Stylex Opens NYC Showroom in the New York Design Center - The showroom opening also marked the launch of the dynamic new Dau collection, a colorful, contemporary collection of tables, upholstered sofas, benches, poufs, and lounge chairs designed to reimagine the workplace and beyond.
- MillerKnoll Retail HQ Awarded WELL Certification Platinum - The prestigious distinction was awarded through IWBI's WELL v2, the latest version of the WELL Building Standard.
- Tarkett's Powerbond RS is World's First CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly Soft Surface Flooring - Powerbond RS is a hybrid resilient flooring, meaning it combines the look and feel of carpet with the durability and cleanability of a resilient surface.
- Spinneybeck Introduces the Softwood Collection - The practice of bending plywood dates back to the 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, a time when design was deeply rooted in technology and innovation.
- Inscape Announces Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results - Second quarter fiscal 2023 was disappointing as sales volumes did not achieve expected levels and certain orders were unable to be recognized within the quarter further diminishing revenue levels reported. Management is responding to these challenges appropriately.
- InstallNET's EcoServ Program Recognized With 2022 SEAL Business Sustainability Award - EcoServ provides the processes, standards and metrics needed to recirculate workspace assets in a way that delivers value to companies and the community, without harming the environment.
- UPFRONT: Allseating Supports the Community - Allseating and The Bennett Edge have worked together to hire five employees — all people who have endured tough times and needed an opportunity to get back into the workforce.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Carl Hansen & Son Presents Nesting Tables Created by Danish Furniture Designer Hans J. Wegner - The new Nesting Tables consist of three tables that can be used together or separately. Thanks to their light and discreet look, the tables can integrate seamlessly into any interior.
- NOW REPPING: Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Rep to Cover Ohio - "We are very pleased to be partnering with The Davis Group. We have been able to attract excellent independent representatives and can now proudly say that we have local representation in Ohio." said co-owner Robert Jönsson.
- PLACES - Hasbro Offices – Haiphong | The office center is a space designed with the inspiration of "The Nest". Vacons renovated the existing atrium to turn this area into a multi-purpose space.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Sims Patrick Studio to Expand Existing Design Team / DuraCare Seating Now Offering REVIT Symbols / LRS Bolsters Design Team with New BIM Hires, Leticia Lopez Cushnie and Matthew Salazar / Pickard Chilton Announces Three New Principals, Expands Leadership / Skram Announces the Appointment of Robert Wolf, Vice President Growth Marketing
- FIRST LOOKS - Carl Hansen & Son Present the Sideways Footstool / Catwalk: Flexible Interaction and Comfort / Pallas Textiles Introduces Alinea Collection / New Vibia Collection – Plusminus
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 7, 2022
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Artopex Introduces a New Generation for Take Off - A collection that breaks boundaries and trends. This new generation of Take Off is distinguished by the high quality of the details that have been thought out and created to offer beautifully designed furniture from every angle. The collection is marked by the introduction of multiple finishes and new colours. Inspired by residential design, it allows the creation of enhanced environments thanks to its unparalleled modularity and impeccable aesthetics.
- Stephen Says - "My Boss Has a Favorite, and It's Not Me!" - by Stephen Viscusi - To me it's human nature. That's why I tell people when they take a job, chemistry with your boss is the most important thing.
- CEUs Are Evolving: 3 Strategies Your Brand Should Try to Succeed - Designers are no longer trapped in a conference room with a free sandwich for your CEU. So, with so many new options for content delivery, if yours is not on point, you'll lose them.
- Throwback Decades Inspire Modern Designs at Carnegie - Looking forward to future trends carries weight too.
- Georgia Peach Coleby Hettler, Breaks Industry Barriers as the New Woman Owner and CEO of Business Environments - Business Environments is a well-respected commercial furniture dealership that has been in business for over 23 years, operating under the watchful eye of founder Ken Morris.
- Customized Workplace English Instruction Helping to Fill Manufacturing Talent Gap - "Our goal was to make the program accessible and equitable for our associates," said Domingo Hernandez-Gomez, DEI program manager, MillerKnoll.
- A Bed for the Holidays: KI Donates Custom Bed Frames to Area Shelters - "Through the generosity of KI, these beds will offer warmth and security to someone in need during and after the holiday season."
- Ultrafabrics x Pantone - Performance fabric collaborates with leader in color trends and development.
- This Polish Startup Offers a Tenerife Workation as a New Job Perk - We all know work-life balance matters and workations are more than office hours. So, besides having an excellent work setup, the Tenerife office lets employees have fun. There are board games and a bicycle, and it is located close to the city's attractions.
- New Leadership Team Announced for ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan - Kevin Gaffney boasts 25 years of experience managing the planning and execution of over 60 trade shows.
- Robert A.M. Stern Architects Unveils Renovation and Expansion to South Bend's Main Library - The renovation of the existing library and the addition of the 40,000-square-foot Community Learning Center illustrates the critical role that libraries serve in spurring economic activity and also providing the surrounding community with modern and flexible spaces.
- Museum of Modern Art Unveils Mamava Lactation Pod as a Design Object with a Gallery-Like Experience - The Museum of Modern Art's new lactation pod is located in the lobby of the Museum's ground floor.
- Teknion Named An Honoree at the 2022 Metropolis Planet Positive Awards - Routes is recognized for its positive impact on human health and wellbeing.
- UPFRONT: Peter Pepper Celebrates 70 Years of Design Innovation - Peter Pepper Products got its start in the founder's home in Los Angeles with wife Jacquie Pepper, designing many of the wall art pieces.
- COLORS: Pantone Color of The Year 2023: Viva Magenta - This year's Color of The Year is powerful and empowering. It is a new animated red that revels in pure joy, encouraging experimentation and self-expression without restraint, an electrifying, and a boundaryless shade that is manifesting as a stand-out statement.
- PLACES - Unicorn Stores Offices – Hong Kong | The entrance and reception foyer has been lined in timber to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere with seating booths which can be used by visitors and employees alike in a cosy setting.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - 2020 and Workrite Ergonomics Strengthen Partnership Through Cloud Pricing Tools / Landscape Forms Names Eric Swanson President of Loll Designs / Arper Welcomes Pascal (PJ) Manzari, National Sales Director for the US & Canada / Woolpert Welcomes Sustainable Design and Interior Design Leaders Shawn Tubb and Chris Shrodes
- FIRST LOOKS - HBF Textiles Introduces Two-Part Harmony - Part Two: Coated Fabrics / Cambria Launches New Alloy Infused Quartz Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 30, 2022
- Why Isn't our Wellbeing Improving? Start With Small Steps - As a general rule, people need to have the option to come in and work how they want to work and be free to do so. In terms of working from home, isolation, loneliness is difficult for some people.
- Stephen Says - "Our Dealership is Hiring BIG for 2023!" - by Stephen Viscusi - The experience you're describing about hiring for 2023 is identical to what I'm hearing from most of our dealer and manufacturer clients. It's very important for people in the furniture industry to cut out all the noise they hear in the media about the firings in the tech industry and not confuse that with the office furniture industry they work in.
- ThinkLab's 5 Greatest Hits to Keep You Informed - At ThinkLab, we pride ourselves not only in providing research-led insights to help you grow your business, but also in sharing them in whatever way helps you digest the insights best.
- Spellman Brady & Co. Receives IIDA Gateway Chapter's IDEA Award for PayneCrest Electric Custom Artwork - PayneCrest's brand is clearly demonstrated throughout the entire artwork package. The artwork is seamlessly incorporated into the interiors and helps bring the company values and culture to life.
- Framery Celebrates Continued Growth With Optimistic Views on the Future of Offices - The brand reaches half a billion in all time revenue and expands the sales team with two new key hires.
- RBW Expands to Kingston With RBW Factory, the Company's New Headquarters for Manufacturing and Innovation - RBW looked to architect Neil Logan and Kingston-based Dutton Architecture to re-envision the building, which combines all working spaces under one roof, from design and manufacturing to traditional open bench desking and break-out spaces to promote collaboration.
- AB Concept Designs Noi, the New Restaurant of the Four Seasons Hong Kong led by Michelin-Starred Chef Paulo Airaudo - The overall design concept is a representation of an Italian silhouette with Japanese infill – as a reference to the food served – and pays homage to Chef Airaudo's Italian-Argentinian heritage by intertwining Italian architecture and contemporary furniture, as well as a statement wine cellar.
- Legrand Named to FORBES' 2022 List of "World's Best Employers" - "Just as Legrand is committed to improving lives by transforming the spaces where we live, work, and meet, we're also committed to our workforce," said John Selldorff, CEO of Legrand North and Central America.
- HON Honored by Configura - Anna Creek, Senior Design Integration Specialist for HON, led the team in creating this most-requested search feature.
- IIDA Names Winners of the 10th Annual Best of Asia Pacific Design Awards - "It is an honor to showcase the tremendously talented designers represented in this region," said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA.
- UPFRONT: Hempitecture Wins $500,000 Prize at Grow-NY Global Food and Agriculture Business Competition - "We are thrilled by Grow-NY's honorable recognition and this opportunity to grow Hempitecture's footprint on the East Coast," said Mattie Mead, founder and CEO of Hempitecture.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Kirei Unveils Natural Materials Collection of Printed Acoustic Panels - Featuring five prints, the Natural Materials Collection offers designers the look of concrete and marble without the echoes.
- CERTIFIED: Okamura Becomes First Japanese Company to Achieve LEVEL Certification - Although there were many conceptual overlaps between LEVEL by BIFMA and Okamura's GREEN WAVE, the structure was different. Okamura was motivated to take the time to re-configure their own process to align with the LEVEL program.
- PLACES - Oktopost Offices – Tel Aviv | The office space Switchup chose was open and bright, with hardly any dividing walls to begin with.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Inscape Files Directors' Circular in Support of Hilco's All-Cash Offer for Inscape and Recommends Shareholders Accept the Offer / Appointment of Anthony Booth as Chief Customer Office of eSolutions Furniture / Ultrafabrics Announces Partnership with 2022 Sustainable Design Summit
- FIRST LOOKS - Introducing Hover, a New Lighting Series by Lodes / Cadre: A Fresh Take on an Iconic Chair / Maharam: Introducing Bertjan Pot / Inspiring Environments from Ligne Roset
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 23, 2022
- Designing a Sustainable Future — It's Not That Hard to Do the Right Thing - It takes just as much energy to do the right thing as it does to do anything else.
- BDNY Returns to New York City as Design Lines Between Hospitality and Contract Continue to Blur - Clients are looking for things that can invite people to gather while simultaneously having individual spaces.
- I Spy Something Green: Three Meaningful Developments in Sustainable Products! - How ThinkLab Trendspotters caught glimpses of a groundswell movement toward more sustainable products.
- Jamie Fellowes Named 2022 Business Solutions Association Legend - Jamie and his wife, Deby, have been married for 53 years and have four children – Jennifer, John, Elisabeth, and Andrew – and seven grandchildren. He enjoys golf and biking, as well as reading, opera, and road trips with his wife.
- ABI October 2022: Architecture Firm Billings Take a Sharp Downward Turn - Business conditions were fairly consistent across the country in October, as firms in all four regions saw either slight growth or a slight downturn.
- Stephen Says - "Hiring Managers Really Do Check References: My Tips" - by Stephen Viscusi - If your references are not contacted before or shortly after you get an offer, you should be very curious, very suspicious and consider skipping the job altogether.
- Healthy Residence Halls Promote Student Physical Activity, Utilize Sustainable Construction Materials - More and more materials used in building interiors today are being made from sustainable, recycled materials such as countertops made from recycled plastic waste and carpet nylon made from recycled fishing nets harvested in the Philippines and Central Africa.
- Herman Miller Expands European Gaming Business with Dedicated Gaming Webshops in Denmark, Finland and Sweden - In addition to the Embody and Vantum Gaming Chairs, the webshop will also feature the Aeron Gaming Chair, Sayl Gaming Chair, Nevi Gaming Desks, and Ollin monitor arm for the complete gaming setting that prioritizes aesthetics and function.
- IIDA NY Expands Educational Activities for Children - Initially conceived in 2018 by IIDA NY's Student Development committee, the Design Camp program has since worked with hundreds of students.
- IIDA Names Transformational and Innovation Award Winners and Best of Competition Winner of the 10th Annual IIDA Healthcare Design Awards - The IIDA Healthcare Design Awards recognize firms for creative design of healthcare facilities across seven categories within Hospitals, Extended Care and Assisted Living Facilities, and Ambulatory.
- DIRTT Reports Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Private Placement - The proceeds from the Private Placement are intended to provide additional liquidity as the Company works to complete its strategic initiatives.
- UPFRONT: Kirei's Air Baffle Wins Three Major Industry Awards - The Air Baffle is an innovative ceiling baffle that combines the acoustic performance of recycled PET felt with a soft filling made of recycled textile fluff from Nike Grind, a global sustainability program that helps transform manufacturing scrap and end-of-life shoes into recycled Nike Grind Materials.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: New from Arper – Shaal Modular Sofa - Designed by Doshi Levien, Shaal is structured and soft like a basket of pillows and wraps around you in a welcoming embrace– inviting tactility and warmth into any space, from residential to contract.
- SUSTAINABILITY: Luum Launches Sustainable Approach to On-Demand Textiles - At Luum, sustainability is the lens through which all decisions are made. From fiber to finish, they look to honor the Earth and user wellness through research, development, testing, and industry feedback.
- PLACES - CBRE Offices – Kyiv | Linear and individual lighting fixtures in combination with soundproof panels under the ceiling create a playful geometry and immediately attract attention.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Landscape Forms Appoints Stephen Godanis as Business Development Representative for the New York Metropolitan Area / Ware Malcomb Announces Promotion of Lori Ambrusch to Studio Manager, Science & Technology, in Washington, D.C. Office / Artaic Appoints Steve Drew as National Sales Director / Liberty Diversified International Names Dan Gigstead, Vice President / Allseating Becomes the First Canadian Manufacturer to Achieve LEVEL3 from BIFMA in the Seating Category
- FIRST LOOKS - Clear Design Adds the Nexus Monitor Arms to its FAST Ergonomic Solutions / Agapecasa Reissues the "Club 44" Table Designed in 1957 by Angelo Mangiarotti
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 16, 2022
- Stephen Says - "Sorry You Lost Your Job at Twitter but Get Over It!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I feel badly for anybody who has lost their job. I'm surprised that so many of you are so surprised, however, since it's not unusual that when management changes hands at any company. Oftentimes, employees change hands as well.
- ORGATEC 2022 Impresses Companies and Trade Visitors Alike - A total of 686 companies from 43 countries presented their products and solutions for the current and future requirements of our always-evolving working environments.
- Nearly 3 in 5 American Office Workers Place High Importance on Access to Private Work Areas to Produce their Best Work, According to new Fellowes Brands Survey - Survey on office design and worker performance comes as in-office attendance recently reached highest point since start of COVID-19 pandemic.
- KWK Architects Completes New Mixed Grade, Living/Learning Wagoner Hall at Augustana University - 54,000-square-foot hall helps accommodate university's largest first-year-student class since 1970.
- OM Seating, Fleetwood and NorvaNivel Win Innovation Awards at EDspaces - A panel of education industry professionals reviewED and evaluateED all award submittals based on specific criteria, including a demonstrated rigor in design for education environments, aesthetics, innovation, sustainability, academic and emotional impact.
- Scandinavian Spaces Shakes Things Up - Explosive growth combined with a revamped salesforce, project a promising future.
- Andreu World Awarded OK BIOBASED Seal of TÜV Austria For BIO Thermopolymer Material - The Spanish manufacturer has achieved a four-star certification of the seal marking it as the highest percentage of renewable raw materials and sustainability.
- Kimball International Joins HealthTrust Group Purchasing Organization - "We look forward to our partnership with HealthTrust and its members to help them enhance their patient, family, and caregiver environments," said Jennifer Adams.
- Shearman & Sterling Brings Workplace of the Future to Life - The global law firm's recent New York office transformation reflects its commitment to people, clients, and the environment.
- Rick Allor Joins Kentwood Office Furniture as General Manager - Rick comes to Kentwood Office Furniture with extensive experience in the contract furniture industry. Most recently, he was a Regional Sales Director at Staples Business Advantage.
- Projects: The Trade Desk - Tangram has completed a new furniture design installation for The Trade Desk at two prominent locations for the company.
- Stylex Reveals Dau, a Sculptural Collection of Seating & Tables with Untethered Adaptability - Enduring aesthetics designed for movement, Dau inspires activity-based communities, creativity, and productivity with playful flair.
- Shaw's Tim Baucom and Vance Bell Recognized Among Most Influential Leaders in Georgia - Both leaders named to Georgia Trend's Georgia 500 list.
- UPFRONT: Kimball International Wins Nightingale Award for EverySpace - "Using evidence-based research, EverySpace was designed to add to the overall experience for patients, guests, and staff alike," said Jessica Gubbins.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Carnegie Fabrics Announces Healthcare Privacy Curtains to Promote Patient Wellness - Quietude provides both attractive aesthetics and industry-leading functionality not found in traditional privacy curtains.
- AWARDED: The HON Company Receives Top Honors - Workwall received the Best Product award in the Furniture & Design category and Cofi was honored with the People's Choice award.
- PLACES - OTP Bank Offices – Budapest | One of the key features of the new headquarters is the architectural and interior design gesture of unifying space. The bank's headquarters, with its strict structure, seeks balance in all its solutions.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - KAI Hires Kate Pertzsch, RID, NCIDQ as Senior Interior Designer / Ware Malcomb Promotes Amanda Kavanaugh to Studio Manager, Interior Architecture & Design in Vaughan Office / XLR8 Commercial Interiors Now Representing Acoufelt in Southeastern United States / Longtime Idaho Company Freeform Earns B Corp Certification / LG Earns Zoom Certification on its All-in-One Video Conferencing Display / Buro Happold Adds Offices and Innovative Leaders in Atlanta and San Diego / FSR's Smart-Way Wall Raceway Receives NECA Showstopper Award / Shaw Receives 2022 St. Jude Organizational Support Award
- FIRST LOOKS - De Vorm Introduces Mino Sofa Series / Showcasing Glidden Paint by PPG's Vining Ivy Through Textiles and Furniture Solutions / The Curio Collection from Concertex / Tuuci Introduces the Ocean Master MEGA MAX Classic
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 9, 2022
- Designing the Future of Education — EDspaces 2022 Showcases Highlights Innovation, Flexibility and Inspiration at This Year's Event - Sustainability is moving to the forefront of the design conversation. Design flexibility is a high priority as well.
- Stephen Says - "HR recruiter tells us that RH is a great source to poach from!" - by Stephen Viscusi - A smart recruiter can walk out of an RH store with 25 potential candidates, and even if you only hire one good salesperson as a result of your trip, you've saved your company a bundle.
- New ThinkLab Research Unveils 5 Specifier Personas for the Interior Design Industry - We uncovered five unique specifier personas in our research, yet we discovered that they all share a core value: ease of doing business.
- AIS' New Dealer Site Underscores Company's Commitment to All Users within a Dealership and Features Updates Aimed at Optimizing the User Experience - Company's extensive sales and design tools now even easier to locate and use on newly unveiled 'DealerNet' website.
- COE Distributing Refreshes OfficeSource Brand with New Look, Product Development Focus - OfficeSource's new product offerings in development will make it easy to modernize the typical office environment, creating cozy yet professional and contemporary looks.
- IOA Launches Healthcare Furniture Tracking Program - 'IOA for Life' QR code tool ends 'furniture purgatory', helping extend the lifespan of hospital furniture investments with on-demand replacement and repair details.
- Kimball International Announces Promotion of Willi Candra as Chief Digital and Information Officer - Candra joined the Company in 2020 as Vice President, IT and Digital Technologies. He has more than 24 years of experience in positions of increasing leadership responsibility.
- Clear Design Expands its FAST Program For More Customization - The continuous expansion of Clear Design's FAST Program is a testament to valuing the relationship with its dealer partners by consistently providing new options and customization options with unbeatable lead times and quality.
- Polyvision Corporation Announces Global Sales & Marketing Appointments - The company promoted Kevin Taney to Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, and Kim Allen to Director, Global Product and Marketing.
- Hightower Launches New Innovative Collections - From the ability to join together for a quick discussion surrounding Picnic's bar-height model or to enjoy a meal together at Picnic's café height model, the product is versatile in its applications.
- Dustin Benz Promoted to President of iSpace Environments - Benz's promotion at iSpace takes effect at a pivotal time as he leads the company of more than 80 employees through the design, planning, and build-out of their new headquarters and showroom in Minneapolis.
- MillerKnoll Debuts New Headquarters for Global Retail Business at The Village in Stamford - New retail offices show the power of the company's future of work research and newest design solutions.
- Kimball International Reports First Quarter 2023 Results - Net sales of $177.8 million, increased 14% year-over-yeaR; Gross margin expanded 220 basis points to 33.5%.
- Interface Reports Third Quarter 2022 Results - Net sales totaled $327.8 million, up 4.8% year-over-year. Currency neutral net sales were up 10.9% year-over-year.
- UPFRONT: Via Seating Launches New Website - Faster & Easier to use while maintaining a Quality, High Design Aesthetic. - The result is a fast & straightforward, but lovely and intriguing user experience from page to page.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Essential Tools For Your Cable Management - NeatTech (designed by Humanscale Design Studio) is an innovative cable management solution that is compatible with most workstations including our award-winning height-adjustable tables -- Float and eFloat. Its lightweight basket stores power strips and cables neatly and safely off the floor.
- ON THE COVER: LACASSE FUZE EDGE - Groupe Lacasse, the recognized industry leader in laminate Casegoods manufacturing, announces the standardization of its state-of-the-art laser edgebanding technology, "FUZE EDGE", on all laminate products, regardless of shape, size or thickness.
- PLACES - Anadolu Hayat Emeklilik Offices – Istanbul | The biophilic design concept and the company's corporate colors commanded the color palette for the whole space.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of Eastern South TX and LA / Lamar Sandaers Joins Thinkspace / Proven Solutions for Beaufurn / Kimball International Included in Best-in-State Employers Forbes List for 2022 / Daltile Participates In RISE Home / SMPS-NY Announces AccessAEC Development Honorarium with Columbia University / Page & Turnbull Announces Strategic Promotions and an Expanded, Experienced Team
- FIRST LOOKS - EF Contract Releases the New Collection, Elan + Esprit, featuring Top-of-the-Line Yarn Styling / HBF Introduces The Tyler Seating Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 2, 2022
- Spotlight on Sustainability — Hempitecture Pioneers Biobased Building Methods - The company's new manufacturing facility will serve both residential and commercial construction.
- Stephen Says - "Avoid Reducing Your Career to a Pretentious Slogan on LinkedIn" - by Stephen Viscusi - Let's call your headline what it is: a slogan. You're creating a slogan that you think describes yourself. To me, that's just ridiculous.
- At Nassimi's New Office, Fashionable Fabrics Fill the Space - As an industry innovator since 1978, the company has always strived to set standards in the market and surpass client expectations—and the introduction of its lavish, recently released, menswear-inspired patterns does not disappoint.
- The Women's Edge and The Boston Globe Name Creative Office Resources #38 on Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts - As one of the largest MillerKnoll furniture dealers in the country, Creative Office Resources builds comfortable, positive environments designed to empower the people within them.
- Flos Announces Appointment of US Managing Director - Flos announced the appointment of Cinzia Bernasconi as the new Managing Director of its Flos USA subsidiary, guiding the brand in the North American region.
- New Research from Future Forum Highlights Benefits of Embracing Flexible Work to Address Employee Burnout - New data reinforces the need for better flexible work strategies as burnout rates increase.
- Photos: The Orgatec The World Waited For - Read our full post-show report next week.
- Be Original Americas Announces 2022 Global Virtual Student Fellowship - Eight design companies give students inside knowledge & expertise.
- Elgin, Illinois-based Rieke Interiors Rebrands: New Name and Logo Reflects Expansion of Services to Design Different Commercial and Residential Spaces - After 28 years of helping people create and envision their spaces according to their realities, Rieke Interiors recently launched its own rebranding plans.
- HNI Corporation Reports Earnings for Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 - In the third quarter, the Corporation delivered 65 percent growth in non-GAAP earnings per share on a year-over-year basis, driven by positive price-cost and improving product mix.
- NOOK and Education Go Together Like Teachers and Apples - NOOK is part of the EDmarketplace where exhibitors are showcasing vibrant, creative, innovative and connected solutions to address the design needs of the built educational environment.
- Kimball International Adds New Product Solutions Designed to Spark Connections - Informed by research, Kimball International is proud to design, develop, and launch new products that support a greater purpose.
- UPFRONT: KI Sponsors Student Competition at 2022 CoreNet Global Summit - This year marks the sixth consecutive year that KI has sponsored the CoreNet Global Summit. KI is an Emerald Sponsor, the second-highest tier of sponsorship, representing a contribution of $50,000.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Hari Collection by Hightower - Hari comes from Hightower's Basque brand partner, Ondarreta, and was designed by Jose Ferrero of estudi{h}ac. Ferrero focuses his work on sophisticated detailing, which is what inspired the collaboration.
- CALL FOR PROGRAMMING: NeoCon Announces Call for 2023 Programming - NeoCon's programming is known for delivering invaluable insight into the topics, trends, and movements that affect the commercial design industry and the world at large. Proposals will be considered for both virtual and in-person CEU programming across a wide range of educational tracks and categories including Workplace, Healthcare, Education, Design Skills, and Technology.
- PLACES - CBB Offices – Santiago | In order to meet this need of a modern and agile workspace, capable of conveying the organisation's values and culture, the company has entrusted Contract Workplaces with the comprehensive project of developing its new offices.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - NELSON Worldwide Launches Path to Principal Program / Thinkspace Announces Promotion of Lindsay Fuhr / Coleby Hettler Breaks Industry Barriers as the New Woman Owner and CEO of Business Environments / DIRTT Welcomes Jeff Dopheide as Chief Revenue Officer / PVI Office Furniture Celebrates its 30th Anniversary in Frederick, Maryland / Julio Braga and Buzz Riley Join FCA as Principals in the Corporate Studio / Perkins&Will Elevates Interior Design Leaders Tim Wolfe and Lara Leskaj / Screenflex Partitions Selected as Notable Manufacturer for Leading Education Conference
- FIRST LOOKS - Carnegie Fabrics Announces Sustainable Hospitality Upholstery Collection / Mantra Inspired Furniture Introduces the Clayborne Collection / Bendheim Introduces TurnKey Fusion Light Wall System for Backlit Glass Cladding
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 26, 2022
- The Experimental, Experiential Office: What Workplace Can Learn from Retail, Education, and Airports - There's an extreme amount of attention paid to people of different abilities, to kids, to families, to elderly, all sorts of people come and experience an airport so it's really important to make sure they are all cared for.
- The Tech-Enabled Digital Nomad Life - Even though they have run out of power more times than they want to admit, had mechanical issues, and been forced to change their route time after time, David and Lily love their life on the road, especially the people they have met along the way.
- MillerKnoll Honored for Supplier Diversity Excellence - On a day-to-day basis, Bruce and her team work to create and redeploy a robust strategy for diverse supplier inclusion for MillerKnoll and ignite engagement to improve Supplier Diversity spending by advocating on behalf of Diverse Business Owners to increase equity within the Supply Chain and the North American Dealer partner network.
- Photos: Live from Orgatec 2022 - After a long wait, things are finally getting started in Germany - and BoF is there to document it all.
- Designing the Home Office - Anna Popov, of Interiors by Popov, delves into the ins and outs of designing the perfect home office.
- Stephen Says - "Should I Stay or Should I Go" - by Stephen Viscusi - People are all trying to build themselves up, get face time with the higher-ups, and climb the ladder. You can do that more as a manager, no matter what city you are in, and, who knows, you might not even like the new gig.
- At Orgatec NARBUTAS Exhibits the Four Strongest Trends in Modern Offices - The hybrid working model has led to a kind of a mix and match trend in furniture combination and office furnishing, where furniture is mixed with each other that previously did not stand side by side.
- Studio TK Launchs Pico Lounge: Looking Toward the Future of The Modern Office - Inspired by Mt. Pico, Portugal's highest mountain peak, the chair brings a structural element to today's workspaces.
- SilentLab Presents Unique Functionality of MICROOFFICE Acoustic Interior Office Pods at Orgatec - SilentLab is also presenting additional new products, such as a MICROOFFICE acoustic room with maximum acoustic dampening and built-in equipment to prevent bugging.
- NaughtOne Presents: A Reintroduction - Naughtone launches compelling rebrand, strengthening the brand's core message: Absolute simplicity leads to infinite possibility.
- Steelcase Launches Better Futures Community - Social Innovation program brings together the organization's global work surrounding equity, education and the environment in its communities.
- Knoll Launches Newson Task - With his first foray into workplace design, renowned industrial designer Marc Newson highlights the beauty of simplicity and ergonomic excellence.
- UPFRONT: 2022-Q3 Solomon Coyle Market Outlook Report Released - The sector pipeline breakdown is flashing a concerning signal this quarter. The strongest pipelines are in government, education, and healthcare, which historically respond slowest to market downturns. We will be keeping a very close eye on this in the coming months.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Camira Shapes the Future at Orgatec with Sustainable Fabrics Made from Natural and Recycled Materials - Titled 'Shaping the Future', the fabric manufacturer's stand, delivered by multi-award-winning Düsseldorf design studio raumkontor, will be an explosion of color and texture in an array of organic shapes made from its collection of environmental textiles.
- LAUNCHED: Introducing Tyler: A New Executive Chair From HBF - The injection-molded foam back creates a bespoke seating experience for most body types.
- PLACES - Nordea Baltic Sea Office – Warsaw | The top floors are home to the bank's futuristic IT command center, Nordea Horizon.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Grizform Design Architects Welcomes New Interior Designer to Growing Team / KOVA Appoints Bob Posillico as Director of Business Development & Sales / Architecture + Interiors Practice JZA+D PromotesFive Designers and Hires Marketing Leader / Buro Happold Expands Leadership In Healthcare, Science and Technology Practice / Skylab Adds New Operations Leadership - Jennifer Dillan, Marketing and Business Development Director, and Randall Akin, Business Manager / Noel Bryan Joins Perkins Eastman as Principal and Director of Business Operations / Wayfair Makes it Easy to Shop Sustainably with Largest Selection of Sustainability Certifications for Home / Teknion Enters A New Era Of Corporate Transparency With JUST 2.0 Registration
- FIRST LOOKS - Seeing Double with BOB / Foscarini's Tobia Floor Lamp Available at the MOMA Design Store / Martin Brattrud Presents Las Filas, A New Banquette Series
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 19, 2022
- Good Design is Good Business — Andreu World's Take on the Future of Office Design in New Book - The contents of "Work well seated" meanders around the world with intimate glimpses into gorgeous office designs by Andreu World, including its own headquarters in Valencia, Spain. Commentary sprinkled throughout the pages provides wisdom and inspiration about the future of workplace design.
- Three Ways Sustainability is Impacting Specification Behavior - We're seeing a slew of new business models emerge to support specifying from circular sources, transparency around lead times, and the ability to validate and measure product choices through carbon footprint calculations.
- Ultrafabrics Removes PFAS/PFOA's in Most of its Collections; Achieves High Rating From Mindclick - Studies have recently linked PFAS, which includes compounds like PFOA and PFOS, with a range of harmful effects on both human and environmental health.
- This Thursday: 10/20 on 10 - Showroom crawl featuring nearly 20 showrooms on the 10th floor of THE MART, with new products, seasonal craft cocktails, and a chance to win some amazing prizes.
- SV Design Receives IFDA New England's "Best Commercial Design" Award - The annual International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) awards represent the highest level of excellence in the interior design community, honoring those who advance the profession and communicate the impact of interior design within the New England design Community.
- Stephen Says - "Are Your Employees Trying to Extort You for More Money? Fire Them!" - by Stephen Viscusi - We always tell clients and candidates the best time to look for a new job is when you do not need to.
- IIDA NY Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Color Invasion - Acclaimed industry event returns in October to unite the local design community, raise funds for children in need.
- Loftwall Launches Two New Products: Gravity and Sky Acoustic Solutions - Gravity is a full-size hanging acoustic partition, designed to designate zones in the modern office that is starved for focus spaces. Sky takes the same fundamentals of Gravity up to the ceiling.
- Allseating Releases Innate, a Fully Upholstered Ergonomic Task Chair Designed For All-Day Comfort and User Wellness - Now more than ever, employee wellness is being integrated into every aspect of the workplace, no matter the work environment, and quality ergonomic seating that adapts to the user is not excluded from that equation.
- Watson Expands Essential Desk Line to bring Customization and Functionality to Individual Workstations - The Essential Desk's evolution includes a variety of surface shape options and the perfecting of features and accessories that emphasize flexibility and our enduring, timeless design.
- HLW Spearheads Charter Communications' New Stamford Headquarters - HLW studied a variety of approaches to each floor taking program types, key adjacencies, end-users, and overall experience into consideration before landing on a final plan –– establishing modularity and flexibility as a key part of the planning process.
- MillerKnoll Honored for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence by EcoVadis - MillerKnoll launched the Diversity in Design (DID) Collaborative, a group of over 50 companies working together to make the design industry more equitable.
- Ware Malcomb Completes Kinnate Biopharma Offices in San Diego - A hybrid workplace, Kinnate encourages its employees to use the office for collaboration and save "heads-down" work for home.
- UPFRONT: Cindy Dampier Joins IIDA as Chief Marketing Officer - Cindy has perfect pitch when it comes to understanding the voice of IIDA, and also brings her keen sense of creative strategy and her journalistic instinct for defining the narrative to all of the stories IIDA has to tell.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: HAT Collective Healthcare Introduces The Tango Cart - Tango is available in three configurations to support a healthcare provider's preferred technology use. With a small profile and easy-grip handles perfectly positioned for optimal access, Tango can be easily moved in and out of position as needed.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Framery Announces A Product Offering in Perfect Harmony - The Framery One exterior color palette will be exclusively implemented across the entire Framery product family.
- HIRED: PS Furniture Announces Hiring of Frank DiGiovanni as VP - Frank brings a storied 40-year career in the commercial furniture industry to PS Furniture, having worked early in his career for Herman Miller and Haworth in corporate sales management roles, and sales and senior executive sales roles for Steelcase dealers.
- PLACES - ByteDance Offices – Shanghai | iDA Workplace created a space with dynamic work options using natural light and thoughtful installs for the ByteDance offices in Shanghai, China.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - 2020 Announces a New Cloud Pricing Solution for 2020 Office / Julio Braga and Buzz Riley Join FCA as Principals in the Corporate Studio / Business Interiors of Idaho (BII) Completes Rebrand, Changes Name after Merger with Freeform (Contract Resource Group, Inc.) / Buro Happold Elevates Noted Airports Expert, Patti Harburg-Petrich, to Lead U.S. Aviation Sector / Humanscale Uses 100% Rainwater for all Global Systems
- FIRST LOOKS - Kirei Launches Custom Print Acoustic Panels With Library of Five Wood Prints / Stance Healthcare Expands Occasional Table Offerings with New Capri, Pavilion Collections / Flos Announces the Launch of the Oblique Floor, Designed by Vincent Van Duysen / Haworth x Halo: Fern Gaming Chair
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 12, 2022
- Rimadesio Sees Unstoppable Growth With its Emphasis on Sustainability and a Connection to Fashion - "I'm glad that there has been a growing movement to move away from fast fashion and fast furniture — design is not meant to be 'fast.' It should be thoughtful, timeless, and have longevity. That's the way to really appreciate its beauty and functionality," said Daun Curry.
- NARBUTAS Executive Chair Promises a Sensory Revolution at Orgatec - NARBUTAS, which has been exhibiting since 2000, is one of the most experienced exhibitors at the fair.
- Stephen Says - "Layoffs at a Major, and Hiring Freezes at Another? What's Happening?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Let's face it, you have to work harder and smarter today, throughout the organization, from seller to sales manager to the C level.
- Herman Miller and Logitech G Introduce Vantum, a Modern Gaming Chair Designed for Gamers from the Ground Up - The Vantum Gaming Chair went through many rounds of revisions and ideations to ensure a gamer's needs were prioritized in both the aesthetics and appearance.
- Kimball International Announces New Boston Showroom Location - Continuing a long-standing relationship, Kimball International selected Eastlake Studio as its partner to design and develop this new showroom space in Boston.
- Vari Opens New Corporate Office as it Celebrates 10th Anniversary - VariSpace Coppell is 3rd Fitwel-certified building in the DFW area, driven by Vari's commitment to healthy workspaces.
- AIS Rolls Out a Major Refresh of Vertical Surface Materials, New Paint Finishes, and its Inaugural Seating Alliance Upholstery Program - Modern and upscale fabric, upholstery and paint choices provide dealers, designers, and customers with more choices, sophisticated textures, and interesting patterns.
- KOVA Debuts Window Wall System with a Revolutionary Installation Process - Ideal for projects ranging from large commercial buildings to mid-sized, multi-family housing units, the Window Wall System can be installed in high-rise properties that are up to 30-40 stories tall as well as apartment buildings with four to five stories.
- ASID Announces 2023 Board of Directors - New members help celebrate nearly 85 years of industry leadership.
- Mohawk Group Collaborates with Marginalized Artists to Launch Social Canvas Carpet Collection - Human-centered design considers all humans, including those at the sidelines, to create a better world and enhance the quality of life for everyone.
- UPFRONT: Co-Founder Geoff Gosling Returns to DIRTT - Gosling created the original concept of an agile construction system that serves as the backbone for all DIRTT solutions.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: BuzziSpace Presents Acoustic Lighting and Color Experience at Light + Building 2022 - BuzziChip is a lighting pendant featuring soft, whimsical curves in a voluminous upholstered foam body.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Ground-Breaking Collection from Landscape Forms - Backdrop offers a new and uniquely versatile way to create welcoming outdoor destinations.
- NOW REPPING: Arnold Contract Partners with Reps in New England and South Texas - "We are committed to providing an unparalleled experience in the world of office interiors and our partnership with Arnold builds on that ethos."
- PLACES - Herman Miller Offices – Dubai | Herman Miller created an office space to showcase their design prowess while also honoring the innovation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Resource Furniture Promotes Gabriella Pomata to Marketing Director / Whipsaw Recognized with Multiple Wins at IDSA's International Design Excellence Awards / MillerKnoll Makes First Public Healthcare Debut at 2022 Healthcare Design Conference and Expo / Haworth Partnered with Ergotron at HCD 2022 / Muuto Expands Footprint in North America With Launch of E-Commerce Site
- FIRST LOOKS - Tracy Glover Studio Introduces the Dipped Beehive Pendant / Daltile Launches New Anders Collection / Allseating Showcased Latest Innovations at HCD 2022
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 5, 2022
- Making Things Better — A Spotlight on The Designers Group - While there is an incredible array of products for interior design, across all sectors, there are still ideas Ehrentreu would like to see come to fruition.
- ASID Hosts GATHER, an Inspirational and Inclusive Design Conference - GATHER, the national conference by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), was held in Miami Sept. 21-24.
- Stephen Says - "Working From Home with My Spouse — What Could Go Wrong?" - by Stephen Viscusi - I've received many, many letters from people in your identical situation, all expressed to me the frustration of having to work from home and getting sick and tired of being around their husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, roommate, partner, dog, cat, landlord, whatever.
- Tayco: Kevin Philips Retires; Bill Melnik Announced as the New CEO and Owner - New ownership marks ample growth opportunity for progressive systems and casegoods manufacturer.
- Mute Launches New Innovative and Sustainable Office Pod - Jetson is a family of universal acoustic pods designed to make everyone's work joyful and fruitful.
- Inscape Announces New Partnership With Connection - Harp is distinctively designed with bungee cords to construct 'walls' that offer visual privacy.
- Michael Graves Architecture & Design Acquires Jose Carballo Architectural Group - Merger continues to strengthen firm's legacy of innovative design and deep sector expertise and enhances client collaboration while expanding on future acquisition strategy.
- Tangram Transforms RBC Wealth Management's New U.S. Headquarters - Tangram collaborated with both RBC and Perkins+Will for furniture scope on all 11 floors and used design tools to outfit the space with budget and overall employee experience in mind.
- Clear Design Launches Resimercial Sub Brand Willow Park - Rich, warm, and comfortable furniture to create flexible workspaces.
- Plural Studios to Launch Avila Healthcare Furniture Collection by Brian Graham at HCD Expo in San Antonio - New modular seating collection enhances design and comfort with a wide array of chair, sofa, table, arm, and leg options.
- Carl Hansen & Son Relaunches the Asserbo Series by Børge Mogensen - The designer behind the series, Børge Mogensen, is renowned as one of the most significant furniture designers of the Danish Modern movement. He reputedly never designed his furniture based on preconceived artistic ideas.
- Architectural Metals Reimagined: A Pattern Exploration - The striking new offerings speak to Móz's unique development and fabrication capabilities in the metals industry—the patterns offer a diverse metal material suitable for columns, walls, ceilings, and partitions for interior and exterior solutions alike.
- UPFRONT: 2022-Q3 Market Outlook Survey Will Be Most Important Since Start of Pandemic - Understanding what's actually happening in the market allows a business to remain competitive and for dealer principals to make smart decisions, more timely decisions, and to identify or predict trends more easily.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: KFI Studios Launches Vaux Table - Vaux is distinctive in its use of advanced steel forming techniques to create a sculpted form that is not common in steel frame construction.
- SPOTTED: 110M+ Views in One Week: Transformer Table Is Breaking the Internet - Transformer Table, a modular furniture company based in Montreal, makes home furnishings that are more than meets the eye.
- PLACES - Amazon Offices – Singapore | Collaboration hubs and touchdown spaces are scattered throughout the floorplate to empower employees to choose where they want to work depending on their task on hand.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Global Furniture Group, USA Appoints Director of Seating / Abby Scott Promoted to Interior Design Principal in HDR's Omaha Studio / Ware Malcomb Promotes Catalina Rocha to Studio Manager in Vaughan, Ontario Office / Shaw Recognized as a Best Employer in the 2022 Chattanooga Best of the Best Awards / Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of North & South Carolina / Landscape Forms Named as a 2022 Best Workplace in Manufacturing & Production / Mashika Gallo to Receive Samuelson Furniture Ageless Living Collaborative Senior Living Design Scholarship
- FIRST LOOKS - Allseating Introduces L1 Upholstered Back / Stylex Debuts Verve Bucket / 3form Teams Up with Gensler for Globally Inspired Pattern Collection / Carnegie Fabrics Announces new Equilibrium Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 28, 2022
- Emphasizing Ergonomics in Office Seating Design - The way we work is constantly evolving, whether in an office, at home, on the go, or somewhere in between.
- Stephen Says - "Why You Should Use a Recruiter Even When You Know Who You Want to Hire" - by Stephen Viscusi - It's no secret that the candidates are controlling the market today. Fear of recession or a drop in the stock market, even inflation, has had zero impact on the difficulties that companies still have trying to find, hire, and attract good people.
- Biophilic Skyscraper Completes in Singapore - The overall vertical softscape of the Green Oasis mimics the plant hierarchy of tropical rainforests; the hierarchical leaf growth of the plants is in direct proportional relationship to light availability within the vegetation layers.
- Smarter Strategic Planning for 2023: 5 Helpful Tips to Improve Your Process - Thoughtful planning, data-driven decision-making, and continuous alignment equal organizational success.
- Interior Investments Merges with Paric Holdings - This strategic collaboration will leverage the strengths and expertise of each organization to deliver a comprehensive suite of turnkey services to best support their customers.
- COE Distributing Honored For Third Consecutive Year with Pittsburgh Top Workplaces Award - "The Top Workplaces award is incredibly important to our leadership team because the engagement and satisfaction of our most vital asset—our people—is what drives our actions and our culture every day," said COE Distributing Chairman and CEO J.D. Ewing.
- Billings Continue to Grow at Architecture Firms - "While a strengthening billings score is encouraging, the flat scoring across regions and sectors is indicative of a nationwide deceleration over the next several months, said AIA Chief Economist, Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, PhD.
- Nearly Two-thirds of Americans Experience Post-Pandemic Shift in Work Habits - More screen-time and less physical activity are taking a toll, new study finds.
- Herman Miller and HAY Unveil Fresh Take on Classic Eames Collection - The collection celebrates the design talent of yesterday and today, bringing together longtime Eames fans, Rolf and Mette Hay, and the designs that inspired them.
- The Search for the Most Useless Office Perk in the World — by Framery and Reaktor Creative - A mailroom punching bag. Tuna cans with no can opener. A folded-up exercise machine. New marketing campaign seeks 'the most useless office perk ever' and draws in hilarious submissions.
- Steelcase Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results; Will Eliminate 180 Salaried Positions - Company announced additional reductions in planned spending and lower quarterly dividend due to uncertain demand environment.
- MillerKnoll Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results - Strong sales growth of 37% over the prior year, up 12% organically; Ended the quarter with a robust backlog of $868.6 million.
- UPFRONT: SnapCab Looks Toward Expansion - SnapCab announced a plan to expand its Kingston, Ontario manufacturing facility, prompting a visit from Bryan Paterson, the mayor of Kingston.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Keilhauer Expands Epix Line With New Feature - The new seat pad is sleek and subtle while still adding extra comfort to the chair's PET felt seat shell. The seat pad can be upholstered in any Keilhauer textile, and features a recycled plastic insert that can be installed and then easily removed when the time comes for product disassembly and recycling.
- PARTNERSHIP: Solomon Coyle Announces Partnership with ITR Economics - Through this partnership, Solomon Coyle will be providing a subscription-based Market Index Report, to be delivered quarterly along with analysis provided by ITR economists.
- PLACES - Cimet Arquitectos Offices – Mexico City | The connection to the exterior is given special emphasis due to the spectacular 360° views, framing them & relying heavily on natural light throughout the day.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Designer & Architectural Associate Julia Tingle Joins //3877 / Blitz Taps Hospitality Ace Tim Haggerty as San Francisco Studio Director / LiquidSpace and OfficeRnD Offer the First Total Hybrid Workplace Management Solution. One Platform. Any Workplace. / Mancini Continues Expansion into Leading Sector / Bluebeam Introduces Bluebeam Cloud: Designed for the Business of Building / Teknion Wins Gold at the 2022 International Design Excellence Awards
- FIRST LOOKS - Scandinavian Spaces Offers Spino: The Modular Sofa System that is Fluid in Form and Artful in Function / Experience Hue: Ultrafabrics' New Brand Campaign Embraces Aura Photography as Color Inspiration / Protection Meets Beauty as FireKing Expands Designer Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 21, 2022
- Shared Spaces and Flexibility are Vital for the New Hybrid Workplace - Furniture has taken a massive leap in recent years, with manufacturers creating flexible systems to support a hybrid workspace.
- Here Now - A New Boutique Contract Furniture Brand Designed and Manufactured in North Carolina for Creatives by Creatives - A close-to-home footprint—and an intentional way of doing things—bring the founders and team close to the product offering unparalleled agility with client-friendly inventory and lead times.
- Stephen Says - "My Boss Keeps Hiring People from His Former Employer. Is It Lazy? Political? Where is the Diversity?!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Just because a boss hires somebody that he knows doesn't necessarily mean that he's taking the lazy way out or that all these new hires are his "best friends."
- Kimball International Releases 2021 ESG Report Detailing Efforts to Build a More Sustainable Future - Kimball has a long history as an environmentally conscious company. From the company's inception as a wood furniture manufacturer, relying on nature's resources to create their products, the ideas of conservation, sustainability, and sensitivity toward the environment have been deeply ingrained in their corporate culture.
- Compusoft + 2020 Unveils Company Rebrand as Cyncly - New brand builds the ultimate connected platform to bring spaces to life.
- Inscape Announces Partnerships with Four New Rep Groups - KB & CO., MRG Southeast, Dynko Contract, and Dino + Associates Will Represent Inscape and Office Specialty in the United States.
- Amazon Climate Pledge Friendly Program Now Recognizes and Promotes LEVEL by BIFMA - Manufacturers with LEVEL certified furniture products will now be able to promote this achievement when placing products on Amazon.
- Material Bank Signs The Climate Pledge - Material Bank Commits to Reaching Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2040.
- New Interface Flooring Collection: Desert Scapes - Desert Scapes features three carpet tile planks – Just Deserts, Cactus Grooves and Prickly as a Pear – in six fresh and soothing colorways.
- Formica Opens Sixth Annual FORM Student Competition - Now extending to Mexico, competition expands to more design and architecture students than ever before, inviting them to share interpretations of maximalism in furniture designs.
- Global Office Furniture Market to Reach $99.6 Billion by 2030 - An increase in the number of corporate offices, owing to the rapid construction of Information Technology (IT) Parks and commercial zones is creating a demand for modernized office furniture across the globe.
- Kimmerle Completes Office, Showroom Renovation Project for Global Apparel Maker - Kimmerle Group spearheaded a redesign and renovation of SPARC Group LLC's Manhattan headquarters, allowing it to consolidate the homes of several apparel brands.
- Virco Reports $0.60 EPS for Second Quarter Driven by 40% Increase in Revenue as U.S. Factories Provide Timely Support for School Reopenings - Net sales were $82.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023, a $23.8 million or 40.3% increase from $59.0 million for the same period of the prior fiscal year.
- New Education-Focused Flooring Collection From Tarkett Designed For Discovery - For the development of Discovery, Tarkett explored how interior environments impact thinking, behavior, engagement, social awareness, and interactive experiences.
- UPFRONT: 2020 Hires New Office Product Manager - Backed by a degree in Interior Design, Amy Edington has spent 15 years in the commercial furniture industry.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Kirei's Air Baffle Named Honoree of Fast Company's 2022 Innovation by Design Award - The Air Baffle is an innovative acoustic ceiling baffle that combines the acoustic performance of recycled PET felt with a soft filling made of recycled textile fluff from Nike Grind, a global sustainability program that helps transform manufacturing scrap and end-of-life shoes into recycled Nike Grind Materials.
- ELECTED: HNI Corporation Elects New Director - Patrick D. Hallinan is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Fortune Brands Home & Security.
- PLACES - ZGB Investment Offices – Beijing | Designed to showcase the elegance of the financial firm, ZGB Investment's Beijing office conveys a sense of calmness and meditation to provide an ease for both clients and employees.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Kim Sexton Accepts Territorial Sales Position for Nevers / Carnegie: Proud to be a B Corp - Again! / Kimball International is Preparing to Open a Pop-up Location in the Heart of Manhattan / IOPFDA Welcomes New 2023 Board Members / Welcome Michelle Gibson! New Representation for Northern TX and LA Territories / Resource Furniture Unveils Direct-To-Consumer E-Commerce Platform / Steelcase Nears 52-week Low Price after Sidoti Downgrades Rating to Neutral
- FIRST LOOKS - Expanded Color Options from Kirei / Daltile Launches New Scrapbook Collection / Athena Wireless: New Capabilities to Help Guide for an Unknown Future
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 14, 2022
- How to Create a 360 Workspace to Support Worker Health and Job Satisfaction - Instinctive, easy-to-use workplace products are essential to creating the 360 Workspace.
- Business Environments Acquired by Atmosphere Commercial Interiors - Atmosphere joins forces with southwest dealer to expand territory to six states.
- Stephen Says - "When Deciding on A Job Offer, Remember, Never Leave Money on The Table!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Don't be afraid to talk about money early on, don't wait until you get an offer.
- ASID Announces Longtime Member and Design Leader Khoi Vo as Chief Executive Officer - Vo began his career at California State University as an assistant professor for the interior design program.
- 8 Clever Work from Home Tips from a Successful Remote Team - Having a dedicated space for work is essential for separating work and home life, but working from home means that when it comes to your individual workspace, you get to set the vibes.
- HBF Launches New Additions to the Mod Collection - Designed by Architect Henrik Schulz, the new Mod Highback joins the best-selling lounge collection alongside Mod Work offering new height options.
- Patrick Fejér Appointed CEO of B+H - With a new design-led CEO, B+H charts an ambitious course for future growth.
- Only 36% of American Workers Describe the Indoor Air at their Workplace as Very Clean - "The results of our survey are clear — most American workers understand the health risks of poor IAQ and the benefits of working in very clean air," said John Fellowes, fourth-generation CEO of Fellowes Brands.
- Inscape Announces First Quarter 2023 Financial Results - Sales of $8.9 million, an improvement of 12.7%.
- Graham & Brown Announces its Design and Color of the Year 2023 - This year's design, Florenzia Dusk, features a variety of traditional florals trailing through the artwork.
- UPFRONT: Allsteel Announces New VP of Sales - "We are thrilled to welcome Carla Galli into her new role as VP of Sales," said Jason Hagedorn, President of Allsteel.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Haworth Launches Zody II and Zody LX - Zody II and Zody LX use premium materials, including aluminum trim options, digital knits and a range of upholstery options, including performance upholstery for health care applications.
- APPOINTED: eSolutions Furniture Appoints Luc Mongeau as President and CEO - The arrival of Luc Mongeau at eSolutions Furniture is an important step in achieving the company's vision of becoming the leading e-commerce solution for residential and commercial furniture in North America.
- PLACES - Barry Callebaut Offices – Singapore | Visitors are greeted by a rich palette of chocolate hues, textures and fine detailing as they step into the reception and Chocolate Studio, a multi-sensory brand experience that tells the Barry Callebaut story, from bean to bar.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Design Public Group Announces New President for All Divisions / Andreu World Presents the Book Work Well Seated: Good Design is Good Business, Published by Lunwerg / Introducing: bde&co.
- FIRST LOOKS - Carnegie Fabrics Expands Xorel Collection / Carl Hansen & Son Introduces Wegner Design in Teak / New for September, the Roller Max Sideboard from Ethnicraft / Whitney Brothers Introduces Nature View Mobile Book Browser
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 7, 2022
- HAT Collective Undergoes a Brand Evolution - Contract furniture maker embracing Human Active Technology (HAT) for its mission of creating product solutions that drive healthier interactions between people and technology.
- Spaces That Tell Stories - Featuring: Studio O+A's Tehama office and more from Claridge, DIRTT, KFI Studios, Knot & Company Interiors, Mancini Duffy, Meteor Lighting, Spark Design, Trendway, and Zgo Technologies.
- Showcasing the Best in Modern Design, Westedge Design Fair Will Make its Dallas Debut September 16-18, at Dallas Market Hall - The design fair will include a variety of feature areas for patrons to visit and learn about the latest trends in modern design.
- Herman Miller Reintroduces Iconic Eames Molded Plastic Chair, Now Made with 100% Recycled Plastic - New materials and color options mark a sustainable milestone for Ray and Charles Eames' mid-century staple.
- Landscape Forms Sees Great Success in Summer Lighting Road Show, Announces Part II of the Tour - Met with an overwhelmingly positive response from lighting specifiers and architecture, design, and electrical contractor firms in the Midwest, Landscape Forms has decided to extend their 2022 Lighting Road Show throughout the rest of this year.
- Versteel Announces the Addition of Oxford & Associates to Its Outside Sales Force - With a shared customer-first vision, Oxford & Associates now represents the Versteel brand and product portfolio in the Colorado territory.
- Stephen Says - "Not Getting Interviews? It's Your Resume, Stupid!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I am always very clear with candidates that including any sort of executive summary on a resume is the death knell of any job search. Employers, without exception, want to see a simple objective communicated at the top of your resume.
- Shaw Opens Its Third Employee Healthcare Center in Cartersville, Georgia - New facility now serving Shaw associates and dependents with virtual and in-person visits.
- User-Friendly Tech Tools Improve Customer Service, Boost Sales for Mid-Market Dealers - COE Distributing launched its virtual assistant, OLIVIA, in 2021 to make it easier for customers to track orders and expected shipping dates on the company's website.
- Corporate Environments Announces Merger with Office Services - Corporate Environments will expand its capacity to develop customized interior solutions with the help of Office Services sales and installation teams, office, and showroom space.
- Announcing the 2022 People's Choice Awards, Presented by Fantini USA - North American architects and designers are encouraged to submit projects featuring Fantini products.
- Califia Farms Together with Tangram Interiors and Studio Other Create New Office Environment at their Los Angeles, CA Headquarters - The 2022 project encompassed 30,000 square feet of office space for their 50 plus in-office employees.
- Configura Unveils the Expansion and Rebranding of CET Ecosystem Elevating User Experience - Configura invites users to upgrade to the latest version of each product so they can experience the improved technology.
- UPFRONT: Even More Earth Approved: Division Twelve Becomes Carbon Neutral - To achieve this carbon-neutral status, Division Twelve reduced carbon emissions at every stage of their processes – from design and the materials they used in production, distribution, and end-of-life.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Clear Design Announces EDGE Casegoods Line - EDGE includes more than 20 carefully curated modular pieces in different finishes and sizes, including a transaction counter, three-drawer wardrobe, open- and closed-storage solutions, credenzas, height-adjustable desk options, and more.
- PROMOTED: Polyvision Corporation Names Wout Van de Broek Vice President of Global Operations - In his new role, Van de Broek will continue to lead Polyvision's Belgian operations and will also assume responsibility for the company's U.S. operations in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and New Philadelphia, Ohio.
- PLACES - BMW Offices – Tokyo | Connected Works comprises the totality of modern and efficient forms of work at the BMW Group which offers the opportunity to organize everyday work even better, even more efficiently utilizing a hybrid environment.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Studio Other Named Among "Best Places to Work in Los Angeles" by LA Business Journal / Canon Wins Prestigious Award for the Second Time, Placing in the Top 3 for the Past Five Years / Maharam Supports Barbara Kruger and Louise Lawler at the Venice Biennale / Interior Design Announces 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees / Non-Profit Dedicated to AEC Marketing Professional Welcomes New Leadership
- FIRST LOOKS - Versteel Introduces a Perfectly Paired Modern Seating Option to the Thea Series / Introducing Hushoffice Acoustic Pods / Batik + Ikat + Patchwork / PI Wall Shelves from Ethnicraft
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 31, 2022
- Desire for Flexibility Intensifies Among Knowledge Workers - Knowledge workers who believe their employer communicates transparently show markedly higher scores for employee experience and engagement.
- Stephen Says - "Has Your Showroom Team "Quiet-Quit" (Yes That's a Thing Now!)" - by Stephen Viscusi - The irony is that everyone reading this column in Business of Furniture manufactures or sells office furniture, therefore it should be simply understood that if you're selling a product like office furniture, you need to be in the office.
- Benefits of Green Prescriptions - We have long known the benefits of time outdoors, but the added stresses of COVID have made it crucial to well-being. For the last two years, it has been our only place to escape and relax during lockdowns, travel bans, and infection threats.
- ThinkLab Explains 3 Essential Market Research Types for the Interior Design Industry - By combining these research methodologies and using the "right tool for the right problem," you can overcome potential drawbacks and arm your team not only with insights, but with actionable tactics to grow your business, faster, and avoid costly or embarrassing pitfalls.
- In-Office Comfort for the XYZ Generations and Beyond - Throughout the "Future of the Workplace" conversation, many employers have directed their attention to Generation Z, and are intent on developing in-office perks that would draw younger employees into the workplace.
- Architecture Billings Index Slows but Remains Healthy - Despite architecture services employment recently surpassing pre-pandemic levels, the ABI score this month reflects the slowest growth since January, and marks the fourth straight month with a lower score than the previous month, indicating a slowing trajectory in billings activity.
- Maharam Remembers Donald Maharam - Donald Maharam (1931–2022) was a textile engineer who pioneered performance-measured textiles for commercial interiors. He served as Maharam's third-generation CEO, working with the company from 1952 until 2000.
- DIRTT Shutters Operations at Rock Hill, SC Facility - "DIRTT's approach to industrialized construction ensures quality and project lead times will not be impacted as we shift production to our other facilities."
- Architecture & Design Film Festival Announces Compelling Film Lineup for 14th Season - Now in its fourteenth edition, the event, which is popular with all design lovers, will showcase a diverse program of films that investigate design's impact, environmentally and culturally, on the worlds of fashion, real estate, art, architecture, urban planning, and housing.
- Indiana Furniture Announces Expanded Possibilities with the Popular Isla Lounge - "We're continuing to push our products to another level of design and expand our portfolio to provide options that support todays working needs."
- UPFRONT: Liberty Diversified Names Greg Theis President and CEO - Greg's wide-ranging experience has enabled him to develop expertise in various disciplines, including Strategic Planning, Operational Management, Merchandising Solutions, Supply Chain Solutions and Pricing.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Humanscale Levels Up the Gaming Experience - A natural extension of Humanscale's presence in the commercial office and residential design industries, gamers and live streamers, including Gothalion, Darkness429, and Professorbroman, have been seeking out the brand's product line for several years, building a solid foundation for this next step.
- SUSTAINABILITY: 9to5 Seating Embraces Environmental Responsibility - 9to5 Seating is committed to sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices. This global perspective informs every aspect of its corporate culture, from warehousing to manufacturing to its office facilities to its community.
- PLACES - CCA Law Firm Offices – Lisbon | Recently, CCA decided to change the location of its headquarters in Lisbon and create a modern and appealing office.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Luck Rep Group Joins Nevins in CO / Fantini Continues to Strengthen Team in North America / Minneapolis Architecture Firm Alliiance Welcomes Dan Boivin In Business Development Role / Icon Modern Names AK Design As Furniture Rep Group Partner for Illinois and Wisconsin
- FIRST LOOKS - Take a Trip to Palm Springs with WIP's New Rug Collection / Best of Ligne Roset Contract / Aeeri from Arper / JSI Enhances Vision Casegood Series / Maharam Introduces Oxbow
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 24, 2022
- Spotlight on Henricksen — 60 Years and Counting - Though Henricksen started as an office supplies store, it quickly evolved into a furniture dealership.
- Say No to the Disposable Furniture Economy - Our responsibility is to make reusing our products the most effortless process so our customers do not stress their environmental or financial impact.
- Surprise and Delight: How Hospitality Principles are Impacting Office Design - In a post-pandemic world, employees don't have to be at the office, and employers are wrestling with the question, "how do we make them want to be?" - from IDA Design
- Stephen Says - "Dealer Salespeople: Farmers and Hunters — New Thinking About Old Roles" - by Stephen Viscusi - Tenant improvement money is flowing and it is what many dealerships, and in turn contract manufacturers, are cashing in on. Tenants have more money for bigger build outs and more furnishings and it's not costing them a dime.
- Prioritizing Cleanability in Furniture Design - The healthcare industry has historically taken this to heart, but now we're seeing the inclusion of highly-cleanable materials across the workplace, hospitality, education, and other industries.
- MillerKnoll Selects 3D Cloud by Marxent for Scalable 3D Product Configuration - Configure, visualize, and quote: 3D Cloud delivers code-free 3D product configuration at scale for the world's largest modern design company.
- Oliver Space Announces $36M in New Funding to Redesign the Broken Cycle of Buying and Discarding Furniture - Launching refurbished products and trade-in, Oliver Space brings the full cycle of furniture under one roof.
- Cushing Terrell Seattle Unveils its New Downtown Office - In response to the adoption of a flexible work policy, Cushing Terrell's new workspace emphasizes agency through a variety of spaces and amenities.
- Scandinavian Spaces Offers Yarn - The functional beauty of Yarn continues to elevate the conversation about furniture design's impact on the environment.
- UPFRONT: Memphis-based Office Interiors Joins with Haworth to Embrace a Shared Vision for the Future of the Workplace - Founded in 2001, Office Interiors is a commercial office furniture dealership providing comprehensive solutions to clients in the Mid-South and across the U.S.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Path by Humanscale: The World's Most Sustainable Task Chair - Each Path contains almost ten pounds of ocean plastic, a majority of which are reclaimed fishing nets, the most harmful of all ocean plastic.
- HIRED: DIRTT Welcomes Richard Hunter as COO - Rich brings nearly 40 years of manufacturing leadership and experience to DIRTT following a tenured career with large manufacturing companies, including Forterra, Trinity Industries, Terex Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Delphi Corporation, and General Motors Corporation.
- PLACES - Spyke Games Offices – Istanbul | We tried to reflect the joyous and colorful worlds of the game characters, especially in social spaces, meeting rooms, cafes and relaxing areas.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Emerging Material Solutions Brand KOVA Welcomes Matthew White / DIRTT Welcomes Brad Little as Chief Financial Officer / Ware Malcomb Promotes Ilbret Adeh and Melani Dannenberg to Studio Managers in Los Angeles Office / New Nevins Representative in North New Jersey / Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover the Territory of Upstate New York / //3877 Welcomes Architectural Associate Kate Janik to Growing Team / Shaw Industries Vice President of Global Sustainability & Innovation Kellie Ballew Named Finalist for Reuters Events Responsible Business Awards 2022 / Shaw Industries Sponsors Bright Spark 2022 Invention Challenge / New Flooring Classification Distinguishes PURLINE Flooring as Uniquely Sustainable Choice / ARC Acrylic Opens U.S. Facility to Address the Needs of Hospitality, Retail and Restaurant Industries
- FIRST LOOKS - MyWhiteBoards.com Introduces Opti-MagPrime Magnetic Receptive Primer / Polyvision Introduces its New Interior CeramicSteel Wall Systems for Commercial Spaces / Versteel Introduces a Perfectly Paired Modern Seating Option to the Thea Series / Newly Refreshed and Expanded iQ Granit and iQ Eminent Collections from Tarkett Combine Restorative Design with Proven Performance / Source International Introduces Nordic Lounge / Foscarini: Preview 2022 / Designtex Drop 16 - Designtex + West Elm 5.0
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 17, 2022
- Believe in Better — Nassimi Leads with Environmental Stewardship - Nassimi's entire product line is free of flame-retardant chemicals and free of biocides (antibacterial and antimicrobial chemicals).
- Top Seven Office Rooms of the Future - With competition for talent high, 61% of companies are investing in the design of the office. Creating a space that truly supports all types of workers and cultivates a sense of community, creativity, focus, and well-being is paramount to employee happiness and retention.
- The Symbolic Olive Branch and Its Role in Remote Equity - Hybrid and remote work, once thought to be temporary safety precautions, have cemented their place as permanent workplace options for the foreseeable future.
- NeoKEN Returns to Gibson Interior Products; Draws Huge Crowds - Hundreds of attendees enjoyed Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice-cream with Jerry Garcia art overhead, snacked on NY PIZZA and Hot Dogs as well as the catered delicacies from Elegant Affairs.
- Stephen Says - "Viscusi's Rules to Interview Follow-ups: They Must Be Sent Within 24 Hours" - by Stephen Viscusi - My clients have told me interviewers for every position at every level expect notes. Many will pass on a candidate if they do not receive one, and most will pass if they get a letter with a typo in it.
- Kimball International Hosts "Ignite Your Senses" Event in Their Atlanta Collaboration Hub - Guests were greeted with a "rose kiss" (a vodka and lychee filled sphere taken as a shot from a rose bud) and then were taken on "sensory stroll" through a wide variety of interactive, multisensory activities.
- ASID Announces Retirement of CEO Gary Wheeler - Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Wheeler brought together experts in the profession to form four core committees, tasked to create resources to guide the profession: Impact (Return to Work); Adaptive Living; Diversity Equity and Inclusion; and Climate Health and Equity.
- LCH Developments Debuts Merge Spaces Modern Office Experience in Scarborough - Merge Spaces is two floors of communal spaces, private offices, collaborative workstations, and meeting rooms – all knit together with a series of bright and vibrant murals that incorporate uniquely Scarborough motifs.
- 49th CIFF Guangzhou 2022 In Review - The Office Show featured leading companies in the sector presenting intelligent and sustainable workspace design solutions that improve productivity, well-being, and safety.
- The Lumina Desk Includes an Embedded 24-Inch OLED Display - The workstation is designed to accommodate your other tech as well, with six powered USB-C sockets, six power outlets hidden inside a generous storage compartment that can be used to keep cables out of sight, and two wireless charging pads that are also hidden and integrated into the surface of the desk.
- UPFRONT: Furniture Re-use Leader Wins IIDA NorCal Award - "My team and I are honored to be recognized by IIDA for our work, as we help address the significant problem of global furniture waste in landfill materials," said Kriss Kokoefer.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: New Ellie from 9to5 Seating a Designer's Dream that Delivers Ergonomics - Ellie's precision upholstery work means designers can easily create personalized two-tone design, combining colors, textures and patterns everywhere—front, back and seat with optional coated textile armrests, making Ellie more durable for every day use.
- AWARDED: James+James Represents Furniture Industry in Inc. 5000 - "We're proud to be one of the fastest-growing privately owned furniture companies in the country," said James Smith, co-founder of James+James.
- PLACES - MAKU Offices – Shanghai | In the past, there were ancestors as Inheritors, and now the MAKU team as builders and we as designers met in the continuation and inheritance of history.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Independent Suppliers Group Announces Q1 2022 Rebate Distribution & 2021 Patronage Dividend / Perkins Eastman Names Emily Pierson-Brown as PEople Culture Manager / Ware Malcomb Hires New Director, Interior Architecture and Design in Firm's Chicago Office / Perkins Eastman Welcome Michael Hess
- FIRST LOOKS - Vitra Reissues Jean Prouvé's Kangourou Chair in a New Blue Hue / Ethnicraft Launches Sustainable Upholstery / Performance Meets Versatility in Landscape Forms' New Gunnar Outdoor Lighting System from Urbidermis Santa & Cole / USAI Lighting Introduces PANCAKE / Archetype is an Architecturally-Influenced Collection That's Truly Worthy of a Second Glance / BuzziSpace Launches BuzziPleat Edel Long
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 10, 2022
- Designing for Neurodiversity Offers Balance and Safety in the Workplace - From a visual standpoint, designers look at creating seamless, clutter-free aesthetics while companies can adopt expectations such as a clean desk policy to help eliminate overexposure of visual stimuli.
- Building an Inspired Office Culture Through Sustainability and Creativity - Connection to nature is promoted throughout, with curated biophilic moments and sweeping views to the outdoors — with some windows featuring clever decals that articulate the air quality outside at that height.
- Stephen Says - "This MillerKnoll Thing Is Not Working Out for My Dealership: What Should I Do?" - by Stephen Viscusi - In the future, I see two kinds of contract furniture dealers out there, the mega dealer and the mini-boutique dealer and each have a place.
- Solomon Coyle 2022-Q2 Market Outlook Report Now Available - Overall, distributors remain somewhat optimistic in the face of supply chain issues and uncertainty stemming from inflationary and interest rate moves.
- New Fabrics Launch from Carnegie and Creation Baumann - Création Baumann has been a fantastic, steadfast partner to Carnegie for almost half a century.
- ASID Recognizes Future Leaders in Ones to Watch Program - The Ones to Watch award winners receive leadership opportunities, access to industry leaders and peers for networking, and expanded participation at ASID events as invited guests.
- Kimball International Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2022 Results - Demand remained strong in key Workplace and Health markets, where fourth quarter sales increased 33% year-on-year and represented 88% of fourth quarter revenues, led by the Commercial and Education verticals.
- Interface Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results - Second quarter net sales were $346.6 million, up 17.6% versus $294.8 million in the prior year period on broad-based growth.
- UPFRONT: AIS Continues its Commitment to Dealers with New Customer Experience Manager Reinforcing a Comprehensive Approach to Service - The position was specifically designed to support AIS dealers by providing a staffing resource dedicated to the strategic design, implementation, and optimization of customer experience programs and initiatives.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Leland Takes Gemma Collection to New Heights, Introduces Work-Height Tables - Created by Altherr Désile Park for Leland, the Gemma Collection was created from a broader desire to open a new path for Leland, keeping mid-century American values of optimism, expressiveness, and industrial experimentation as a foundation, while looking towards the future.
- JOINED: Memphis-based Office Interiors Joins with Haworth - It's no secret that the definition of an office has changed significantly in the last few years. With this Haworth partnership, Office Interiors has only just begun to share the great things in store for the future of our clients, our team and our community.
- PLACES - Deanshoes Offices – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | With the concept 'The new playground', 1,500sqm of the workplace creates a variety of spaces to enhance encourage interaction, stimulate creativity and boost productivity.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Milliken & Company Welcomes Karen Sawdy as Commercial Design Manager / Allsteel to Host Evolving Workplace Panel Discussion / Steelcase Named a Best Employer for Women by Forbes / Solomon Coyle Accepting Registrations for Fall Session of Project Management Training / Whitney Brothers Nature View Writing Center Earns Platinum Spaces4Learning 2022 New Product Award / Lauren Ross Launches Trade Program For Design Professionals
- FIRST LOOKS - Lesro Industries Introduces Waterfall / Luminator by Flos: A Beloved Lamp Returns With New Tech and Colors / Reduce, Reuse & Recycle with nanimarquina / USAI Lighting Introduces New TrueZero360 Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 3, 2022
- Introducing KOVA — Reframing the Values of the Built Environment - KOVA provides an extensive collection of high-performance solutions through three distinct categories: Construct, Components, and Connect.
- New Research Reveals What Matters Most to Dealer Designers - Digital access to the product information alone isn’t enough. Cross-functional training on the sales and design process, product specification, and the technology involved is critical for success.
- Integra Celebrating 40 Years in Business - Like any company that can celebrate four decades in business, Integra has experienced ups and downs. But the core characteristics that set it apart from the beginning remain in place today.
- Stephen Says - "I Believe I am Not Getting A Job Offer Because of my Age!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Keep yourself marketable by keeping your current relationships fresh and by continuing to make new relationships.
- Boston Business Journal Names AIS Among the Most Charitable Companies in Massachusetts - Bruce Platzman, co-founder and vice chair of AIS – along with Arthur Maxwell, co-founder and chairman of AIS – have been passionate and intentional about giving back to the community from the very beginning.
- HNI Corporation Reports Earnings for Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 - Consolidated net sales increased 21.8 percent from the prior-year quarter to $621.7 million.
- DIRTT Releases Q2 2022 Financial Results - Revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 were $44.7 million, an increase of 16.8% and 8.8% over the first quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2021, respectively.
- Allsteel Introduces Three New Products For the Office - Mural, a new modular furnishings system designed by MASHstudios transforms the static office into an adaptive office.
- UPFRONT: Corporate Interior Systems Announces the Acquisition of digg by The Berg Group - CIS will continue to work with The Berg Group to make sure all existing clients are taken care of for the next year.
- PEOPLE SPOTLIGHT: HLW Welcomes New Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in New York - Mathai will oversee the convergence of the firm’s various existing Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and culture-based programs under a single umbrella, including HLW’s recent alignment with the International Living Future Institute and Just certification.
- AWARDED: Trendway awarded Indoor Air Quality agreement with Premier, Inc. - AeraMax Pro air purifiers offered by Trendway are commercial-grade air purification systems that remove at least 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns, including allergens, such as pollen, dust, pet dander, and smoke from indoor spaces.
- PLACES - C&W Services Offices – Singapore | C&W Services Singapore reimagines the future of work with the transformation of its workplace at Chai Chee.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - //3877 Welcomes Kate Janik to Growing Team / MHTN Architects Registers as a JUST 2.0 Organization / Ware Malcomb Promotes Dawn Riegel to Principal / Holly Holton Named Bentley’s Global Director of Sustainability
- FIRST LOOKS - Versteel Introduces Troupe, Setting the Standard for Gathering Tables / Arper Presents: The Ghia Table By Studio Altherr Deslie Park
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 27, 2022
- Kimball International's Alternative Design Podcast Releases Limited Edition Soundtrack Vinyl Record - Kimball International's Alternative Design Podcast has had great success by offering monthly episodes dedicated to empowering and engaging designers, architects, creatives, and design enthusiasts.
- Steelcase Health Provides Healthcare Solutions Through Expanded West Elm Collaboration and New ModuForm Partnership - The collection includes Slope, Sterling, Mesa and Lucas, various seating products that will add a welcoming aesthetic to many healthcare applications such as lobbies, reception areas, waiting spaces, transition spaces, cafes, clinician respite, physician offices, consultation, outpatient centers and virtual care spaces.
- DZ Bank's New One Vanderbilt Office Marries Traditional and Futurist Design - In place of a formal reception, off the elevator lobby there is a lounge and accompanying coffee bar with floor to ceiling views of the adjacent Chrysler Building.
- G2 Esports Partners With Herman Miller to Deliver the Ultimate Gaming Experience - The partnership agreement extends over multiple years, a testament to the shared strategic collaboration and ambition to bring activities to new heights.
- Tayco Enters into a new Product Category with the Launch of their Receptions Collection - This Reception Collection, available in 22 laminate colours, enriches Tayco's current range of office furniture products, making Tayco the source for all office furniture needs.
- NDI Office Furniture Expands Up the Mid-Atlantic with Growing Representation - NDI Office Furniture was founded in 1980 and started with one location Nashville.
- Stephen Says - "New Boss You Think You Don't Like? Well, Think Again!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Your boss should have more important priorities than being your friend, and you should have better standards in choosing a job than whether or not you and your boss will hang out on the weekend.
- Design Pool Collaborates with Museum of Printing in new Moveable Type Collection - All the patterns in Moveable Type reference typography and the history of printing. Motifs in these patterns are based on old typewriter keys, a collection of wingding icons, and letterforms in general.
- UPFRONT: Allsteel Announces Partnership with Wilsonbauhaus - "Our relationship with wilsonbauhaus provides a great opportunity for us to enhance our capabilities and coverage in the Southcentral market and to create even more business value for customers", said Jason Hagedorn, president of Allsteel.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Carnegie Fabrics Launches New Indoor/Outdoor Upholstery and Drapery Collection - The newest Skylight window fabrics — made by Création Baumann — are both functional and innovative: woven with inherently flame-retardant yarns that have been engineered to withstand prolonged exposure to high levels of UV light.
- SOLD: HNI Corporation Sells Lamex Office Furniture Business - HNI Corporation announced it has completed the sale of its China and Hong Kong–based Lamex office furniture business. The business was acquired by Kokuyo Co., Ltd. for 75 million US dollars, subject to standard post-closing adjustments.
- PLACES - 2U Offices – Cape Town | The client wanted a new workspace ecosystem which promotes culture and collaboration, focus and fun by providing a diverse collection of spaces.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Navigating Our Way Towards a World Without Greenwashing - Watch It Online Now / Cabinet Manufacturer American Woodmark Spends $15.8 Million to Expand Manufacturing Footprint in Toccoa, Ga. / Scandinavian Spaces Hires Local Representative to Cover Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, and Montana
- FIRST LOOKS - MyWhiteBoards.com Launches Newest Innovative Product, Custom-Printed Glass Dry Erase Boards / SnapCap Launches New Conferencing Pod / 3form Elements Introduces Five Linear Profile Patterns Inspired by Ancient Architecture / Stylex Umo Tables Infuse Hygge Serenity into the Workplace
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 20, 2022
- Reseat Aims to Solve the Office Furniture Waste Problem with New Online Platform - In its inaugural year, Reseat saved more than 3 million pounds of furniture from the landfill by working with companies such as Oracle, Yelp, Benchling, Square, Twitch and others.
- Ted Moudis Associates Wins CoreNet 2022 Corporate Real Estate Award for Excellence - New Manhattan office for Ducera Partners earns Project of the Year from CoreNet Global's NYC Chapter.
- Stephen Says - "We Had a Sales Rep Who Was Working for Us and Another Company at the Same Time!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Guess what, if some of you reading this wonder if your own employee may be working elsewhere, like this guy, chances are they are barely working at all.
- The Future of the A&D Firm Library - How do we take knowledge and document it so it is easily grabbable?
- ORGATEC 2022 - Preparations are In Full Swing and Interest is Immense - It goes without saying that the trade fair has a first class, richly varied event program ready for trade visitors from all over the world.
- Landscape Forms Announces Two New Sales Agreements - "This partnership provides Integra with yet another inroad to the design community," said Integra Specification Sales Manager Ron Bataller.
- Inscape Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results - Total sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were $11.0 million, compared to $8.1 million for the same period of fiscal 2021.
- Tangram Partners With Once Upon A Room To Customize Children's Hospital Rooms - The five week partnership included collaborations with many clients and A+E partners that participated in decorating patient rooms at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) while the children were inpatient.
- Mark Richey Woodworking Earns National Minority Certification - This certification, awarded last month, means the company has met the National Minority Supplier Development Council criteria for MBEs.
- UPFRONT: J.D. Ewing Spearheads IOPFDA Educational Programming for Mid-Market Dealers - A team of industry experts is filling a void in training and education programs to equip smaller furniture dealers for success in today's challenging economic environment.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Avalon Tables by DeskMakers - Ideal for common areas, design libraries, touchdown spaces and more, Avalon Tables are available in a variety of configurations and finish options to suit a wide range of personal aesthetic preferences and interior design schemes.
- LAUNCHED: Shelby Williams Launches New Website - The new website combines a broad grouping of product designs, easy-to-order finish and fabric samples, advanced search functionality, and more.
- PLACES - Turim MFO Offices – São Paulo | Studio L Arquitetura completed the Turim MFO offices to allow focus on integration, collaboration and transparency in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Ultrafabrics Announces Jeff Smith As New Head Of Residential, North America / Nearly Half of LA Workforce Wants Flexibility / BIFMA CEU July 28: "Attributes of Contract Furniture" / Martin Brattrud Goes Solar / Patricia Urquiola Shares the Cassina Perspective at Milan Design Week / Lesro is On CET Designer
- FIRST LOOKS - New from Arc-Com: Wallcovering Pattern Prismatic / Formica Introduces 20 New Commercial Designs with SurfaceSet 2022 / BuzziChip is BuzziSpace's Newest Acoustic Lighting Solution
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 13, 2022
- Senior Care Can Feel Like Home with Some Meaningful Design Choices - Healthcare design has taken some miraculous turns in recent years, but there's one problems Chernoff would like to see solved.
- APAC Workplace Furniture Maker Schiavello Sets Sights on North American Market - Schiavello, a top 100 Australian private company built on quality, service excellence and innovation, has been creating and servicing world-class work and living environments for over 50 years.
- Stephen Says - "Don't Let Your Top Salespeople Leave, Give Them a Track to Promotion!" - by Stephen Viscusi - These days, manufacturers, dealers and their respective HR departments explain to us that when they are hiring for any type of sales manager position (and I mean whether the manager is local, regional or national), they are looking for sales leaders who have relationships equal to their best salespeople. To which I usually respond: "So why not promote and train your best salespeople?"
- CFI Merges with Spectrum - The combined furniture dealer is the largest minority and women-owned MillerKnoll dealer in the country.
- Four Ways the Metaverse will Change Design for the Better - No one knows exactly what the future holds, but some positive opportunities are emerging and expanding what's possible.
- DIRTT Announces Rebrand and Launches New Digital Experience - The rebrand is the culmination of an 18-month research-based project, consisting of internal and external interviews, focus groups, workshops and user testing that delivered actionable insights.
- Hip Hop Architecture Camp Aims to Reach Underrepresented Youth - Created in 2016 by licensed architect Michael Ford, The Hip Hop Architecture Camp positions hip hop culture as a catalyst to introduce underrepresented youth to architecture, urban planning, and design.
- ABI May 2022: Business Conditions at Architecture Firms Remain Strong Despite Economic Headwinds - Firms report that approximately 17% of their projects are designed to meet a rating system.
- Coming Soon - Webinar: Navigating Our Way Toward a World Without Greenwashing - In this webinar, Roddy Clarke, Design Writer for The Financial Times and Forbes, and Jane Abernethy, CSO at Humanscale, will take a deep dive into the art of navigating through a world of greenwashing, the power of transparent communication, and the steps to take in understanding a company's true impact.
- UPFRONT: all33 Hopes to Set a New Trend in Motion by Moving Manufacturing to the US - The shift to manufacturing in the United States has allowed the team to keep a close eye on every step of the manufacturing process. The Axion is produced in a completely vertically-integrated factory streamlined to reduce environmental impact.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Luxxbox Upgrades its Linea Slimline Acoustic LED System - The linear lighting system features a new unique plug and play power connector allowing for install of canopy and power before lighting fixtures. As a result, only one power feed is needed per run.
- AWARDED: Tayco Named a Best Workplace in Manufacturing - Tayco's phenomenal culture and engaged Team stems from innovative workplace policies, opportunities for growth, and a diverse workforce. They work diligently to ensure their core values of ownership, progressive, efficient, and enjoyable experiences are drivers for everything from large scale projects to individual tasks.
- PLACES - Novo Nordisk Offices – Ho Chi Minh City | AK Interiors designed an on-trend, fluid and future-proofed work hub for the company's young and energetic employees.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Gibson Welcomes New Hires / CNY Group Promotes Joanna Hung to Project Executive / Bright Spaces Launches a New Product, and Avison Young Romania is the First to Adopt It / Confidentiality and Comfortability Within The Cancer Foundation Finland / Davis Furniture Joins CET for Commercial Interiors / Georgia Public Service Commission Recognizes Shaw Industries with Energy Matters Award in the "Best Sustainability by a Manufacturing Company" Category / IIDA NY Chapter Inaugurates New President
- FIRST LOOKS - New from Arc-Com: Pattern Rio / Hollman Introduces Glass Lockers for Workspace / New from Maharam: Method
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Business of Furniture - July 6, 2022
- Economic Activity in Manufacturing Sector Sees Continued Growth - All of the six biggest manufacturing industries — Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Petroleum & Coal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products — registered moderate-to-strong growth in June.
- Nemo Tile + Stone Acquires Tile Market of Delaware - The company's second brand acquisition deepens their footprint in the northeast and mid-atlantic markets.
- Stephen Says - "I'm Not Getting a Second Interview! Why?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Preparing for a job interview these days is much more complicated than reading a company's website and viewing the LinkedIn profile of the people you're going to interview with. These are important steps but it's much more than that.
- ASID Honors Distinguished Interior Designers with 2022 National Awards and College Of Fellows - The National Awards recognize four design companies or individuals for their work and careers dedicated to furthering the interior design practice and changing the world in one of four distinct categories.
- Spotted! Top 10 Commercial Design Trends at NeoCon 2022 - ThinkLab Trendspotters were at it again this year — for the second time, they were scoping the show, helping those on-site prioritize what to see, and bringing the "hallway conversations" to the virtual attendees.
- MillerKnoll Reports Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results - According to the company, the formal launch of the contract dealer network in North America positions MillerKnoll for future growth.
- SANDOW Design Group Launches New Podcast Network for A+D Industry - SURROUND is the second content platform launched by SANDOW Design Group since 2020, following DesignTV by SANDOW, a streaming video platform featuring hundreds of hours of design content available on all major mobile and OTT devices.
- FCA Appoints McCarthy as The Firm's 6th President - The presidential transition will usher in a new era for FCA as John, a master of corporate interiors and workplace strategy, makes his exit, Aran McCarthy, will step in, bringing decades of experience with healthcare environments to the leadership role.
- Fresh Yet Classic: Supreen's New Menswear-Inspired Patterns - Revolutionary stain-resistant sustainable Supreen expands textile offering with three new timeless textures.
- UPFRONT: 2020 + Compusoft Announce Winners of Inspiration Contest - "We are so proud of all of our talented designers who entered the Global Inspiration Contest this year," said Karen Curtis, director of marketing & communications at 2020.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Ghent Introduces Preserve - The first product meant for creating meaningful meeting space outdoors, Preserve pushes the boundaries of what a meeting space should be, creating a "fourth space," giving outdoor space a more purposeful use.
- NEW OFFERINGS: Ultrafabrics Bleach Cleanable Textiles - 9to5 Seating - The four new patterns and 66 colorways were designed to complement the popular Ultrafabrics Brisa and Ultraleather Pro that appear on the "Impress the Senses" fabric card from 9to5 Seating.
- PLACES - TENTiE Offices – Nagoya, Japan | The energy generated by the contrast between the symbolic furniture and elements made of brick and inorganic materials such as galvanized steel panels, glass, and mirrors is a powerful force.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - BIFMA International Announces New Technical Director of Safety & Performance - Anthony Serge / 3form SVP of Sales Jennifer Ruckel Joins IIDA's International Board of Directors / New York Welcomes Mike McElderry as Design Director of the New York Studio / Landscape Forms Celebrates Great Place to Work Certification Again for 2022-2023 / Bounty Inc. Launch of Modullis
- FIRST LOOKS - Carl Hansen & Son Presents the VLA26 Vega chair by Vilhelm Lauritzen / Belt by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec for Flos Architectural Wins the Compasso D'Oro Adi / Color, Pattern, and Style ... Oh My!
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 29, 2022
- Teknion Opens Showroom in Chicago - Located in Fulton Market, the new showroom exemplifies a flexible and engaging workplace that supports variety and choice.
- Knoll Announces Newson Task Chair by Marc Newson - The back of the chair is made of an elastomeric material molded over a rigid frame, giving it both the strength and flexibility to comfortably support users as they enjoy various positions within the 19 degrees of recline.
- Stephen Says - "Is Now a Good Time to Ask for A Raise, Before The Bubble Bursts?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Yes, it has been a candidates' market in many fields, and it still is right now, but as the stock market dips, and talk of recession ramps-up, employees and candidates have only a limited time left to dictate their income and future.
- Material Bank Acquires Architizer and Continues its Strategic Expansion into the Architecture Space - This latest acquisition reinforces Material Bank's mission to expand on innovative solutions for the design community.
- DIRTT Welcomes Benjamin Urban as Chief Executive Officer - Urban, 46, joins DIRTT from Agile Interiors, where he previously served as a business development executive for fifteen years. Agile is one of DIRTT's largest Partners, delivering innovative interiors for global clients such as HPE, MD Anderson, and ConocoPhillips.
- Officescapes and Floorz Merge with Elements to Become Region's most Comprehensive Interior Solutions Partner - The Combined company will offer placemaking expertise and the latest in human-centric design thinking alongside an unmatched product portfolio.
- Landscape Forms Celebrates Its 2022 Landscape Architecture Foundation Scholarship Winners - Since 2007, Landscape Forms has partnered with the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) to offer annual scholarships for distinguished undergraduate landscape architecture students.
- Arnold Contract Celebrates 60 Years of Engineered Solutions - "Arnold Contract has experienced exceptional growth and development over the past 60 years," said partner Glenn Arnold.
- Relogix's New Pricing Model Brings Simplicity and Flexibility for Organizations Adapting to a Hybrid Workplace - The leader in occupancy analytics rolls out new features and capabilities that give companies the truest picture of the evolving working styles and preferences, necessary to creating great hybrid workplace experiences.
- Steelcase Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results - The company completed the acquisition of Halcon Furniture LLC on June 10, 2022.
- Keilhauer Products Bring in the Awards at NeoCon - Forsi and Melete product lines receive prestigious recognition at NeoCon 2022.
- UPFRONT: American Office sells to MOI after 90 Years in Business - MOI, the Mid-Atlantic region's largest office furniture dealer, has acquired one of its main competitors, American Office. This acquisition was driven by the recent merger of Herman Miller and Knoll.
- PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: LightArt Introduces Coil Pendants Made from 100% Reclaimed Ocean Plastic - LightArt joined forces with Oceanworks, a plastic action platform that provides brands a clear path to reduce their carbon footprint by retrieving plastic from the world's oceans for their shared values in sustainability and transparency.
- AWARDED: Amobi Wins NeoCons First Innovation Award - Companies today demand more from their office investments, requiring multi-modal, adaptable spaces that allow for quick transitions between individual, focused spaces and collaborative, iterative ones.
- PLACES - Alumina Elit Offices – Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria | Designed to showcase the high-quality glass partitions Alumina Elit manufactures, their new office in Veliko Tarnovo gives imagination and creativity when it comes to the diverse application of their products.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Ware Malcomb Promotes Jeffrey Cortinas And Douglas Fu To Studio Managers In Pleasanton, California Office / Kostow Greenwood Architects Builds Leadership Team / Pulp Studio Announces Sales Force Partnership with Bodkins & Associates / Sales Leader Shelley Rosetta Joins Solomon Coyle / Buro Happold Selects Jennifer Price for Top Role, US Managing Director / Architecture and Interior Design Firm SGA Announces Internal Ownership Transition and Expansion of Leadership Team / Keilhauer Partners With IIDA as Exclusive Sponsor of Newly-Developed Sustainable Design Education Fund / //3877 Expands Presence in New York City
- FIRST LOOKS - Geiger Elevates Work with New Geiger Leatherwrap Sit-to-Stand Desk and the Expanded Award-Winning Geiger One Casegoods Collection / Carl Hansen & Son Launches the Foyer Series by Vilhelm Lauritzen
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 22, 2022
- People, Place and Planet — ASID Pitches a Comprehensive Approach Design - Good design goes beyond beauty. It responds to physical and emotional needs and it's about balancing that against creating environmentally responsible outcome.
- Mau Calls for Fact-Based Optimism and Emotional Connections to Guide Design Moving Forward - "Most of the problems we now face is because we succeeded in solving so many problems," Mau said. "Sanitation, hunger, communication, all these things allowed us to become 8 million people. And now we have a new higher order complexity problem. The good news is that we won't have to deal with those problems with the tools of the past."
- Stephen Says - "A Delightful NeoCon in Every Way" - by Stephen Viscusi - People told me that for those few days last week the City of Chicago opened up and everyone was free to conduct business like it was 2019. Attendees did not just come for the products and programs, they came to be with one another. To eat and drink with clients and friends and colleagues.
- Neocon 2022 Illuminated the Power Of Design - Vibrant show energized community with ground-breaking innovations, enlightening programming, engaging installations, & meaningful connections.
- Okamura Hits Market with New Chairs and Marker Boards - Cynara is a multi-purpose chair that is stylish, comfortable, and light in many ways; and Sprint is a mobile collaboration support tool to boost team creativity.
- Flokk Annual Report 2021: Record Performance - Flokk, the leading European manufacturer of office seating products, reported record financial results for 2021 and sees a strong start to 2022.
- Herman Miller and Studio 7.5 Introduce a New Eames-Inspired Office Chair - Zeph Offers a Colorful, Customizable and Ergonomic Solution Fit for Any Space - With its slim profile and an easy-to-adjust design, users will find Zeph a colorful companion capable of supporting a variety of needs while seamlessly incorporating itself into the scenery of any room.
- UPFRONT: Innovating Together: Jiecang & LOGICDATA Combined Showroom Reveals Unique Blend of Cultures and Design Thinking - This unique blend of cultures, design thinking and resource diversity strengthens the partners' continuum of capabilities and innovation in adjustable furniture solutions for today's fluid work environment, affording greater capacity and expanded product offerings in the growing global adjustables sector.
- BRAND SPOTLIGHT: Landscape Forms Introduces the Air Collection - The Air Collection is inspired by the concept of "lightness," both as a physical characteristic and as an aesthetic captured in the playful and colorful presence the collection brings to outdoor settings.
- NOW REPPING: Yellowbox Collective Living Up to Promise - Melanie Tantillo is the owner of Yellowbox Collective. Her life and career has been international, having lived in seven countries, on four continents and as such Yellowbox Collective mission is to partner with companies wishing to establish a wider audience in the U.S. Contract Furnishings Market.
- PLACES - Arçelik Offices – Istanbul | The high and open ceiling setup that dominates the entire office creates a feeling of spaciousness, while at the same time creating a rich, dynamic and industrial office perception with project-specific acoustic elements.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Interface Launches New Website / Stephen Alton Joins S9 Architecture as Director of Interior Architecture / Frontline Workers Say Management Feels Out of Touch with Their Roles
- FIRST LOOKS - Hightower Launches Gimbal Jr., Wins First Best of NeoCon Award / AHF Products Showcases Extensive Commercial Flooring Portfolio / An Astronomical Idea / 'Chairs' To Your Health
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 15, 2022
- A Civic Approach to Art and Design - Design Makes a Statement. That is this year's theme for NeoCon. What that means exactly is wide open for interpretation.
- Stephen Says - "So You Never Needed a Resume to Get a Job Until Now? Welcome to the Real World!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I haven't had a ton of different jobs, but over the course of a couple of changes, not one person asked me for a resume.
- NeoCon 2022 in Photos: It's Good to be Back! - Even severe thunderstorms couldn't keep the crowds away. Here is a peak of what has been going on this week, with a full wrap-up in next week's issue.
- Best of NeoCon Award Winners Practice Forward Thinking in Sustainability and Innovation - A total of 99 awards in 52 categories were announced during a lively breakfast celebration Monday morning.
- Beyond Expectations: Salone del Mobile.Milano an International Success - Attendance of over 262,000 at the 60th edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano, smashing all expectations in terms of turnout, revitalizing the city and a whole system internationally, so confirming the event's catalytic power.
- Illinois Bill Passage Continues Momentum for Nationwide Wave of Interior Design Legislation - "Interior designers bring an extensive body of knowledge, experience, and care to their profession, and this legislation reaffirms their impressive qualifications," said ASID CEO Gary Wheeler, FASID.
- IIDA to Inaugurate Angie Lee as 2022-2023 International Board President and Additional New Board Members at the IIDA Annual Meeting - "Angie has been integral to IIDA's mission and advocacy of the design profession, with a commendable leadership style that especially pays attention to and supports the women of our industry," said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst.
- Fellowes Brands Announces New Design and Experience Center at the Entrance to Chicago's Energetic Fulton Market District, Opening in Early 2023 - Fellowes Brands will be located on the 9th floor of a building that features training and conference spaces, a fitness center, coffee shop, restaurant and social spaces throughout, as well as at the penthouse and rooftop.
- Virco Reports 13% Increase in First Quarter Revenue - Competitive advantages of domestic factories and U.S. school furniture market lead to record orders and backlog.
- A New Hybrid Home in Paris - With the new WorkLife in Paris, Steelcase has created a future-proof space.
- UPFRONT: HAT Collective Introduces E2 Connex Monitor Arm - Users can choose between static or dynamic arms or add sliders for fine-tuned monitor adjustment to further enhance the experience.
- BRAND SPOTLIGHT: Allseating's Showroom Unveils New Collections During NeoCon 2022 - Allseating is showcasing its newest products, Eighty Two, Rühe, Innate, Res, and Attune, during NeoCon.
- JUST RELEASED: Divide Your Space on Demand With Telaio From Peter Pepper Products - Dividing space on-demand for individual user groups allow you to create an efficient environment for collaboration with the right amount of utility, ancillary supporting tools as well as providing panels for privacy and visual and acoustic comfort.
- PLACES - Exotic Food Offices – Bangkok | The colors red and black, and other elements that convey XO's identity are utilized to create a strong, unified image, discernible to both the company's personnel, including visitors who have a chance to visit the actual office or see it online.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Steelcase Recognized for Outstanding Environmental Sustainability Practices / KFI Studios Announces Rebrand / Humanscale Immersive Pop-Up in Chicago's Fulton Market / Teknion Announces the Promotion of Doug Meyer to Vice President of Sales
- FIRST LOOKS - Integra Introduces New Lounge Seating Designs / Innovations Presents SU22 Collection, Natura / Aquafil Group Presents New Eco-Conscious Carpet Collections / Plot Twist Takes Us in Unexpected Directions / Polyvision to Debuts ICS Wall Systems at NeoCon / Crossville Launches Stone Fiction Porcelain Tile Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 8, 2022
- Spotlight on Via Seating: Innovation and Sustainability for The Win - Via brings to the table intentional ergonomic design focused on health and wellness. Sustainability is top of mind for Via as well.
- Stephen Says - "Why Don't Recruiters Call Me?" - by Stephen Viscusi - You may be a great salesperson, a hard worker, your customers love you and you are the top producer in your region, but if I cannot easily contact you, if I have to dig too far into social media, I may call someone else.
- Introducing Avro — The Seating Ecosystem Built for the Future - Avro fuses decades of Arconas' expertise in sector-leading terminal furniture with the ergonomic knowledge and user-focused product experience of Pearson Lloyd.
- MillerKnoll Announces New Head of Design for Knoll - Jonathan Olivares, a leading voice in contemporary design, joins to foster Knoll's design legacy and future.
- Steven Bramson Named CEO of Innovative Ergonomic Solutions - New leadership will strengthen brands to service diverse customer base.
- How to Stay in the Know at NeoCon with ThinkLab Trendspotters - We've invited some of the industry's finest architecture and design professionals to share what they are seeing, hearing, thinking, and loving about NeoCon 2022 — unfiltered.
- Cayke: Will Everyone in the Industry be on this Platform in 2 Years? - Cayke announced this week the launch and development of "Cayke Shops" for brands like 9to5 Seating, Loftwall, Skyline Design, and DeskMakers. On the dealer side, trailblazers like Interiors for Business, Interior Investments, and other dealerships are working on their own Cayke shops.
- Humanscale Becomes the First Furniture Manufacturer To Be Awarded TRUE Gold and TRUE Silver by Green Business Certification for Zero Waste Efforts - Humanscale continues to lead the industry on sustainability and transparency by achieving the highest levels of TRUE® certifications across all global factories.
- Andreu World Opens First West Coast Flagship Showroom - Located in the heart of the financial district it is the company's point of reference for its West Coast division as a complete space that showcases the brand's products and services.
- Steelcase and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Announce New Creative Collaboration - Drawing on a connection that began over 80 years ago, the two organizations will look to the past to inspire furniture collections for a new generation.
- SGA Designs Speculative Office Suite For Oxford Properties - An Inspiring Case Study for the Office of the Future - At the center of the space, an elevator bank and restrooms are enveloped by a supply amenity zone — providing opportunities for locker storage, pantries, sanitizing stations, and office equipment — as well as the main circulation path.
- UPFRONT: DIRTT Announces Leadership Changes - DIRTT announced the departure of Jennifer Warawa as Chief Commercial Officer, and Jeffrey Calkins as Chief Operating Officer and Interim Co-CEO.
- SPOTLIGHT: Ghent, VividBoard, and Waddell to Merge into One Brand - After four decades of producing industry-leading visual communications and space solutions, parent company GMi is excited to announce the merging of Waddell display solutions and VividBoard patient care boards under its flagship brand Ghent.
- JOINED: Global Furniture Group, USA Adds to its Growing Team in the Southeast - With his 20-plus years in furniture and industrial sales, Chris Watson is a proven leader in strategic sales and has been consistently recognized for his year-over-year territory growth.
- PLACES - GPD Agency Offices – Poznań, Poland | BIDERMANN+WIDE utilized bold colors and distinct spaces for a dynamic work environment. The challenge: to create a space that is a platform for the exchange of ideas and collaboration between many creative people.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Carl Hansen & Søn Adds Sales Manager / Resource Furniture Hires Solution Specialist Trish Steen / Ware Malcomb Promotes Matt Chaiken To Vice President / Nevers Industry Mobile Showroom to Visit Chicago June 13 and 14 / IIDA NY Announces 2022 Leadership Award of Excellence Recipient / Formaspace Contract Welcomes NeoCon 2022 Attendees to New Merchandise Mart Showroom / Mats Inc. Announces 50th Anniversary Rebrand
- FIRST LOOKS - Erin Seating to Debut at NeoCon / Cabot Wrenn Emphasizes Life's Spaces in Collaboration with 11 Ravens at NeoCon / New at NeoCon: Stylex Launches Six Seating and Table Collections / Unika Vaev Introduces Five New Acoustic Products from UV Studios
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 1, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: In the Future, Robots Might Deliver Coffee and Packages to Your Desk - Robot filled offices are quite a ways away from being practical, but we are going to begin seeing them roll past our desks more in the near future. I like how Naver is using robots as tools to do menial tasks, not as the brains of the operation.
- Let's Talk About Toilets — The Other Task Seating - Duravit weighs in on bathroom design in the workplace. Wellness was certainly a topic of conversation in commercial design prior to the COVID-19 pandemic however post pandemic, it has never been regarded as more important — especially when it comes to bathrooms.
- Salone del Mobile 60th Edition, June 7-12, Fiera Rho Milano - The 60th edition of Salone will focus on the key values of quality, innovation, beauty and, now more than ever, sustainability.
- Teknion Opens London Showroom - On display, Teknion's latest products, current workplace trends, and thoughtful furniture predictions illustrate the strategic steps taken to further enrich the brand's social, environmental, and economic impact.
- Studio Other Partners With Inside Evolutions in South Texas - Inside Evolutions offers architectural and engineering furniture, office space, laminates, home furnishings, architectural walls, bamboo products, acoustical control materials, and screen care products.
- 3form to Exit theMART for Virtual Showroom - Among many features, designers will be able to understand the dynamic nature of the products virtually through videos that demonstrate how the products interact with light and translucency.
- ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan 2022 Concludes - The Show is characterized by robust attendance, a strong exhibitor roster, and enthusiasm across the board.
- 2020 Hosting In-Person VIP Event + Virtual Event at NeoCon 2022 - 2020 expert speakers Vanessa DeKoekkoek, Renee Cooper, Bruce Allum and Jeff Morrow will be presenting at booth 7-5122 June 13-14 from 11 a.m. -4 p.m., covering a vast range of topics including what's new in 2020 Office, 2020 Visual Impression tips and tricks, the future impact of evolving technologies on the commercial office industry, and more.
- Kimball International Announces New Chicago Showroom Location in Fulton Market District for 2023 - Located in the heart of the Fulton Market District, Kimball International's new space is in close proximity to tech and design firms, local eateries, trendy galleries and boutiques, and residential spaces.
- Louis Poulsen Hosts BIG NYC Keglen Event - Francesca Portesine, director of Interiors at BIG, explained how their product design is often born from furnishings and lighting needed for the firm's architecture projects.
- Ware Malcomb Opens New Office in Nashville - Ware Malcomb has completed over 100 projects in the area, including retail, office and industrial projects. The new Nashville office builds upon Ware Malcomb's rapidly growing Southeast region with offices in Atlanta and Miami.
- Hushoffice to Debut New Acoustic Pod Solutions for Agile and Hybrid Work at NeoCon - A refreshed offering with new innovations of Hushoffice acoustics pods and new products will be launched in the U.S. during NeoCon.
- Stephen Says - "Retreads: The New Normal?" - by Stephen Viscusi - My question is, what's your deal? Are you jealous of your friends? The interiors industry tends not to care about sexual orientation, race, age or gender when hiring. We were way ahead of the curve and today's political correctness.
- UPFRONT: Industry Icon Gary L. Seaman Passes Away - In 1984, Seaman and two partners founded GL Seaman & Company. An accomplished golfer and musician, Seaman is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Carolyn Hunt Seaman, a younger brother and sister, and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA of Texas and Vogel Alcove.
- SPOTLIGHT: NeoCon 2022: LINAK U.S. Focuses on Employee Experience and the Return to the Office - At NeoCon, LINAK is introducing the next generation of desk leg with the addition of the DL PLUS High-Speed series of legs. The DL Plus High-Speed desk legs add speed without compromising on sound, load or self-lock.
- PROMOTED: Steelcase Appoints VP of Global Design - Steelcase announced it promoted Michael Held to vice president of global design from his previous role as global furniture design director. Held succeeds James Ludwig, who retired in late 2021 after 22 years with the organization.
- PLACES - Birkenstock Group Headquarters – Cologne | Within the framework of the historical warehouse halls, brandherm + krumrey developed a customised interior design for Birkenstock's diverse requirements.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Sam Clar Office Furniture Welcomes Education Environment Specialist Debby Cappadona / //3877 Continues to Grow Team, Hires Interior Designer Noelani Brannon / Landscape Forms Announces Sales Agreement with Spectrum Lighting of San Antonio, Inc. / Steelcase Named a Best Employer for New Graduates by Forbes / Italian Style Design Firm Pininfarina Announces Opening of New York City Office / Artaic Welcomes Damian Di Maio as Commercial Sales Manager / Kettal Opens Showroom in London / IIDA Announces Collaboration with UK-Based Recruitment Specialist Urban to Bring Inclusivity-Driven Hiring Strategies to the U.S.
- FIRST LOOKS - Sam Clar Welcomes Debby Cappadona / //3877 Grows Team / Landscape Forms Agreement / Steelcase Named a Best Employer / Pininfarina NYC Office / Artaic Welcomes Damian Di Maio / Kettal Opens Showroom in London / IIDA Announces Collaboration
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 25, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Your NeoCon Questions Answered - I've returned from Chicago after my scouting trip (and a White Sox vs. Yankees game) and as promised, I back with answers to your questions.
- ICFF Back at Full Scale in NYC - Post-pandemic, one of the hot topics impacting the future of office design is a subject most of the world is fixated on right now: wellness, which ties into sustainability.
- NeoCon Coming Back Stronger Than Ever Post-Pandemic - In the last few years, theMART secured more than 400,000 square feet of showroom leasing in the building. They've renewed a number of key anchors in that period across all industries. They've also brought several new brands to the building.
- Three Ways to Entice Architects and Designers Back to Your Showroom Post-Pandemic - There are a variety of benefits to digitizing your showroom experience: from reaching more people to tracking the most popular areas of your space to more seamless post-event follow-up. One of our favorite ways to wow your target audience with tech is by creating an online virtual tour.
- MillerKnoll Makes Sustainable Product Sourcing Easier - Led by Herman Miller and Knoll, the new shared platform on ecomedes helps customers access environmental product information and easily identify furniture solutions across the MillerKnoll collective that help achieve sustainability goals.
- NeoCon Exhibitors Are Expanding, Growing, & Innovating - 2022 Attendees Can Expect Cutting-Edge Products, Installations, All-Star Designer Collaborations, & More From NeoCon Exhibitors.
- IIDA Celebrates Industry Changemakers at 2022 NeoCon Conference in Chicago - Commercial Interior Design Organization Ignites Conversation and Acknowledgement of Those Impacting Industry through Curated Programming.
- Cambria and Room & Board Announce Expansion of Artisan Furnishings for Residential and Commercial Environments - Leading Minnesota brands partner to offer six stunning Cambria solid surface options on Room & Board's series of bath vanities and Amherst storage cabinets.
- Samuelson Furniture Partners with Independent Living Community in New Jersey - Samuelson Furniture made its debut into the assisted living industry in April 2021; the brand is dedicated to making positive impacts through the built environment with beautiful, highly functional products that improve the everyday lives of residents.
- Interface Announces $100 Million Share Repurchase Authorization and Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend - Laurel Hurd, Chief Executive Officer, said, "The Board's authorization of the new share repurchase program underscores their confidence in the long-term value creation opportunities for Interface."
- Kimball International Launches New Product Solutions for Workplace, Health, and Education Markets - As Makers of Possibilities, Kimball International is dedicated to creating product solutions that are meaningful and relevant.
- AIS Introduces New Products with a Focus on the Evolving Workplace Providing Dealers and Customers Options for a More Personalized and Responsive Environment - AIS' showroom, located in space 1086 on the building's 10th floor, will feature new products including: Chatham Cove Work Lounge, PowerBench, PET Wire Managers and Enclosures, and the Desktop Organizer + Suspended Caddy, further expanding its broad breadth of product solutions.
- Stephen Says - "Be the Ted Lasso of NeoCon" - by Stephen Viscusi - Salespeople: When you are in the showroom you are there to meet customers from all across the country, not chat away with your colleagues that you haven't seen in a year and for goodness sake stay off your phone unless you are on Instagram with photo's of the happenings in your showroom.
- UPFRONT: Falkbuilt Ltd and Its Co-founders Sue DIRTT Environmental Solutions for $22 Million - "We truly regret the need for taking this action against our former company but this mean-spirited personal vendetta, with absolutely no legal merit, has created extensive damages for Falkbuilt and our Falkbuilt Factory Direct Branches," said Mogens Smed, CEO of Falkbuilt.
- SPOTLIGHT: HAT Collective to Debut New Seating Product, Iku, at NeoCon - Japanese for "to go," Iku is an interactive, intuitive mid-back task chair that propels professionals into a healthy, productive workday. Like all HAT Collective products, Iku features innovative design, integrated ergonomics and easy user functionality. Expertly engineered to support the back and spine while providing high-end comfort, Iku comes with an intuitive synchro-control to promote natural body movement.
- MOURNING: HAT Collective Mourns the Passing of Contract Furniture Industry Veteran Tom Koidis - HAT Collective is mourning the unexpected passing of Tom Koidis, vice president of sales for Canada. Koidis, who joined HAT Collective in November of 2021, was a 20-year veteran of the contract furniture industry.
- PLACES - AfterShip Offices – Shenzhen | As a technology company, AfterShip has their unique corporate culture. In this project, we challenge not only the interior planning and design, but also the development planning project of a planet.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Shaw Named a 2022 Halo Award Winner for St. Jude Cushion Program / Tarkett Celebrates Grand Opening of New Chicago Showroom / Trendway Releases CET Extensions / Ethnicraft's Objects Awarded Top Marks at ICFF
- FIRST LOOKS - The Masterful Craft of Jueki Debuts / Design Pool Returns to NeoCon with New Collection Invisible Threads / BiSemA Corporation to Present Cloud-based Contract Furniture Product Specification Services at NeoCon 2022
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 18, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Mental Health Impacts of Work from Home on the Rise - Sometimes what people say they want and what they actually need are two different things and I believe that's what we are seeing with work from home.
- Design Begins with Wonder for London-based Yorgo Lykouria and his Design Firm, Rainlight - Like many architects, Lykouria was drawn to modernism, but for different reasons than most. He was enthralled by the poetry of it; the feeling you get from it. The whole idea of modernism to Lykouria was not taking away everything you can from a product.
- Poly Research Reveals Rewards Outweigh the Risks for Employers and Employees Willing to Adapt to Long-Term Hybrid Work Strategy - Two-thirds (66%) of workers surveyed agreed they would rather present to a large audience on a video conference rather than in person.
- Sedia Systems JumpSeat Celebrates its 10th Anniversary, Still as Relevant Today as Ever - The design of JumpSeat is simple and elegant. Plywood and steel create the backbone of the JumpSeat's cantilevered structure. Folding to less than four inches thick when not in use, the compact seat allows for the maximum amount of people in the minimum amount of space.
- Rimadesio New York Flagship Opens Its Doors During NYCxDESIGN - The new flagship store is designed to offer customers and professionals accurate consulting and design services in the residential, contract and hospitality sectors.
- AIS Opens New and Expanded DC Showroom in Award Winning Location - The product applications within the space reflect the wide range of color, material, and finish offerings on standard products which are beautiful and easily accessible. A small number of special products are showcased to initiate conversation, garner feedback, and to highlight the specials capabilities of AIS.
- Allsteel Introduces O6 Task Chair: A New Choice-Inspired Seating Line To Enhance the Workday - The O6 Task Chair enhances heads-down work in a variety of work settings, with options to add attractive lumbar support and adjustable arms.
- Keilhauer Joins Material Bank – Hundreds of Samples Now Available for Overnight Delivery - This new partnership supports Keilhauer's commitment to sustainability by significantly reducing the impact of packaging and shipping samples.
- IIDA Celebrates EVP and CEO Cheryl S. Durst As She Marks 25 Years As a Leader in the Interior Design Industry - During Durst's tenure at IIDA, the organization has grown to include more than 15,000 members across 58 countries.
- Marvel Opens Office In Richmond, VA - The Marvel office is located in Richmond's Historic Monroe Ward. With a local staff of eight employees, the firm is actively hiring.
- Live May 20 - 2022 Wege Prize Awards - The free event is open to anyone in the world via livestream starting at 10 a.m. ET.
- Stephen Says - "Take a Hint from Your Children: Changing Jobs Is Easier Than Ever" - by Stephen Viscusi - Millennials, in particular, have proven unafraid to change jobs quickly and frequently — something earlier generations were scared to do.
- UPFRONT: NDI Announces Addition of Stan Idzi as COO - "My experience has provided a tremendous framework for my career development thus far and positioned me for this excellent opportunity to work with a fantastic team," Idzi said.
- SPOTLIGHT: Dash Expands Multi-Purpose Stacking Offering from 9to5 Seating - Collaborative workspaces demand a different kind of seating beyond the traditional multi-purpose model. The new Dash answers that need because it is engineered to support exactly that. It is a single solution for the growing change-over needs of today's work environment.
- ACQUIRED: Carnegie Welcomes Kirei to the Family - The acquisition of Kirei enhances and expands Carnegie's range of acoustic design solutions, delivering a comprehensive assortment of solutions for all acoustic space management needs.
- PLACES - Gartner Offices – Gurugram | While collaboration and social spaces are all given due importance, focused work and quiet contemplation are a huge part of how employees actually work at Gartner.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Fantini Announces New Managing Director for North America / Tarkett North America Appoints New Senior Leadership for Commercial Business / Pavilion Furniture Announces Jay Chapman as President / Bentley Mills Announces New Senior Leadership / Perkins&Will Welcomes New Health Principal in Dallas / Ware Malcomb Promotes Kevin Evernham to Regional Vice President and Eric Zitny to Director, Regional Operations in Phoenix Office / Polyvision Partners with Voka under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Program / Tarkett North America Verified to Vinyl Industry Sustainability Initiative / IIDA Announces Winners of Two Prominent Design Competitions
- FIRST LOOKS - New from Arc-Com: Pattern Samsara / SnapCab Launches New Office Pod / Rush Movement by HBF Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-May, 2022
- Rob Kirkbride | Sick of Attending NeoCon? Try to Remember the Excitement of Your First Time - As we put this issue to bed, the focus of the office furniture industry will shift to NeoCon, the industry's most important event. For a lot of us who have attended the event for years, if not decades, NeoCon brings a mix of dread and excitement. A lot of folks, especially in the dealer community, fall squarely in the dread camp. But I'd like to encourage you to see the event through new eyes. I think it is helpful to start by remembering what your first NeoCon felt like to attend.
- The Advantages of Being an Aligned Dealer in Your Manufacturer's Backyard - The Interphase showroom is a good example of all Haworth has to offer and how a working showroom can inspire customers. Visitors are greeted by to conference rooms — one more formal and another smaller space. Haworth's new Pergola system sits directly behind the reception desk, creating a room-within-a-room. Interphase moved its entire business, including operations to the new location. It was a major undertaking for the dealer owners who bought Interphase in February 2018. Brann emphasized the the family ownership as important to the culture of both Haworth and Interphase. His family has owned and operated restaurants in the area for 90 years. He also said being a hometown dealer gives Interphase access to company executives that most dealers — even a Best in Class Haworth Dealer like Interphase would have.
- Henricksen Continues Nationwide Expansion - The business began with a single office space and showroom, nine employees and a delivery van. "After learning more about the size and impact of Henricksen, joining this team was a clear decision for me," said Kennedy. "At Henricksen, I'm looking forward to continuing my passion: mentoring and leading salespeople while reinforcing the brand's position in the New York Metropolitan community and beyond. I look forward to serving as a key member in Henricksen's growth plan, helping the brand thrive as an exceptional partner in the commercial furniture industry."
- Hertz Furniture Adopts New Growth Strategy and Expands National Presence with the Acquisition of School Furnishings of New England - Hertz Furniture President David Mocton said, "For the past 56 years, Hertz Furniture has grown steadily and naturally on its own servicing the K-12 market. We felt that the time had come for a shift in strategy and to initiate growth in terms of reach and offering."
- 8 Trends in the Workplace Today - What you need to know to effectively make business decisions.
- Industry Intelligence | The trends you need to know in coworking, digital nomads, return to the office, leasing, office renovations, remote working and more... - The Great Digital Nomad Movement is Here / Remote Workers are Moving, Creating New Real Estate Opportunities / Coworking is back / Cost Of Construction Fit Outs Tick Up Amid Rising Hard Costs, New Design Standards / Meet The New HQ Destination Towns: Small, Suburban And Cheap / Tech layoffs loom as more companies announce big cuts to their workforces / If everyone's working from home, why is commercial office space booming? / Return to the office: Workers are worried and here's why / Hangover and 'disappointment' days: Unusual flexible work policies that will have you raising a glass
Business of Furniture - May 11, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: A Hodgepodge Including: NeoCon Preview, Strong Earnings and an Innovative Mobile Laptop Desk from a Maker? - Let's start with the fact that a month from the time you are reading this, we will all be gathering in Chicago for NeoCon. Yes, one month. I will be in Chicago next week meeting with the folks at theMART for my annual pre-NeoCon walkthrough.
- Panel Discussion Dives into How Culture Affects Engagement in the Workplace - People are returning to the office for a number of different reasons, but for the vast majority, the main reasons are almost evenly split between connecting with colleagues and getting work done.
- Environments Turns It's Own Headquarters Into Test Lab For New Smart Building Software - Elevated Environments includes functions for everything from lighting and air quality to security, desk reservations, community calendars, and connections for employees working hybrid or remote.
- IIDA NY's Annual Leaders' Breakfast Tomorrow Focuses on Global Sustainability - After years of exploring creative change making, Leyla developed the Disruptive Design Method for activating positive social and environmental change combining systems thinking, sustainability sciences and design thinking for positive impact on the planet.
- Design Evolution: What Gen Z Wants in the Workplace - At ThinkLab, we believe these experiences, coupled with native relationships to digital tools, will likely greatly alter how Gen Z designers communicate at work, what they look for in an employer, and how they specify.
- Steelcase to Acquire HALCON - Steelcase sees many opportunities for growth between the two companies going forward, including geographic expansion, portfolio enhancement and continued revenue gains in HALCON's existing core markets.
- Material Bank Raises $175M in Series D Funding Led by Brookfield - Material Bank has experienced extraordinary industry adoption and growth since its 2019 launch.
- Tangram Announces Eric Lockwood Promoted To Managing Director - Eric Lockwood has 28 years of experience in technology consulting, design and integration for the built environment and has worked extensively in North America, Europe and Asia.
- Herman Miller Continues to Expand Retail Presence Nationwide, Opening First Brick-and-Mortar Locations in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta this Spring - Expertly designed to assist customers to make informed and confident purchasing decisions, the 1,560 square-foot store has dedicated performance specialists on-hand to help shoppers discover the right solutions for their individual needs.
- Mayer Fabrics Celebrates Milestone 125th Anniversary - Beginning in 1897, George L. Paetz started the Paetz Company to fill a need for a local product supplier to manufacturers of custom designed buggies and repair.
- Svigals + Partners Advances Director of Interiors, Announces New Team Members - A highly experienced designer, Katherine Berger was promoted to Director of Interior Design in July 2020 upon the retirement of Lynn Brotman, NCIDQ, IIDA, and has served as the lead interior designer and project manager for acclaimed works across several market sectors, including healthcare, education, and corporate workplace.
- Results - DIRTT Q1 2022; Kimball Q3 2022; Interface Q1 2022
- Stephen Says - "NeoCon: Your Own Private Job Fair" - by Stephen Viscusi - Sales managers wonder why they can't find good salespeople on LinkedIn. It's because proven performers have a selling mindset — they're busy out selling — and do not have time to read Help Wanted postings on LinkedIn.
- UPFRONT: BIFMA Breakfast and Annual Business Meeting - While BIFMA has hosted conversations in dealing with specific changes in the industry, today we will take a pause to explore how these external drivers influence internal organizational change, practical methods for making those changes and helping teams transition through them.
- SPOTLIGHT: LX Hausys Announces Declare Label Status for its HIMACS and Viatera Products - Declare labels provide an important level of transparency by disclosing all product ingredients, enabling customers to see the "nutritional" information of a product in order to make informed purchasing decisions.
- SIGNED: Landscape Forms Announces Sales Agreement with Spectrum Lighting of Austin, Texas - In its nearly 50 years, Spectrum Lighting has built an impressive offering of indoor and outdoor lighting manufacturers and services.
- PLACES - Hyperscience Offices – Sofia | The office space had a distinct industrial character with visible ceilings and installations, softened with wood finishes and textiles in accent colours to match the fresh and young spirit of the company.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Landscape Forms Announces This Year's Roadshow Showcasing Lighting Solutions / Carl Hansen & Søn Presents a Collaborative Exhibition with Female Design Council Focused on Craftsmanship / Herman Miller to Open Three New Stores in Japan This Spring / Two AIA Georgia Awards Go To Hapeville Library in Fulton County / Mancini Duffy Acquires Gertler & Wente Architects / AIA San Francisco Announces 2022 Design Awards Recipients / Teknion Awarded the Gold Award at the 2022 Indigo Design Awards / Haworth Opens New Showroom in Atlanta / IIDA Expands Design Your World Program Nationally with Miami Launch and Return of Chicago Session
- FIRST LOOKS - Herman Miller Unveils Latest Addition to Collection of Color-Dipped Chairs / Hightower Announces the First of its Product Declare Labels / KFI Studios Announces New Umage Color and Upholstery / Mannington Commercial Introduces Revealed Collection / Rottet Collection Previews Exciting New Range at ICFF / Mohawk Group Announces Two Spring Featured Collections in Collaboration with ArtLifting
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 4, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: If Your Company was Drafted, Would it be a First Rounder or Mr. Irrelevant? - As a Detroit Lions fan, one of the best weekends of the year arrives with the NFL Draft. Hope springs eternal and it is a good chance to chug down a lot of Honolulu blue Kool-Aid while dreaming of Super Bowls that will never come.
- Listen, Connect and Serve: Dan Binford & Associates Outlines the Values of a Successful Rep Group - Connecting with the A&D community is key. And Binford said the connections start early. The company has sponsored student events and programs for decades. It is a bit like planting seeds.
- Arper Caps Busy Month Stateside with Basquiat Exhibition and New CEO of Americas - Joining Arper with more than 25 years of experience in the design and manufacturing industry, Amy Storek has worked in various positions for global companies such as Herman Miller, Vitra, and Haworth.
- Framery Investing Heavily in Digital Services to Further Revolutionize the Industry - Arto Vahvanen Joins the Team to Expand the Brand's Technology Expertise and Develop New Digital Experiences.
- HNI Corporation Reports Earnings for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 - HNI generated revenue growth of more than 18 percent driven by pricing actions, volume improvement, and the benefits of acquisitions completed in the prior year.
- Ware Malcomb Promotes Three Female Leaders in Irvine Office - Ware Malcomb announced that Jinger Tapia has been promoted to Vice President, Design; Maureen Bissonnette has been promoted to Principal, Marketing; and Maria Rodgers has been promoted to PR & Communications Manager.
- Indiana Furniture's Perfect Safety Score Leads to INSHARP Recertification - "We first received INSHARP certification in 2017 and to be recognized again is a testament to the focus and dedication of our employees," said Greg Hildenbrand, Safety and Environmental Engineer for Indiana Furniture.
- Solomon Coyle's 2022-Q1 Market Outlook Report Captures Distributors' Optimism - The Q1'22 3.8% increase in Bookings over Q4'21 beat the 2.9% increase dealers previously forecasted.
- Mohawk Industries Reports Q1 Results - "Mohawk's results exceeded our expectations as first quarter sales rose to an all-time record, reflecting higher pricing, growth in our ceramic businesses, an improving commercial sector and benefit from our small acquisitions," said Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum.
- Survey Offers New Insights for Neurodiverse Workplaces - HOK and Tarkett survey of neurodiverse employees in the U.S., UK and Canada identified key sensory issues in office environments and how they can be addressed through workplace design and strategy.
- Boston Studio of Perkins&Will Expands Its Leadership Group - Matthew Pierce has been promoted to principal; and Jeffrey Keilman, Jennifer McGrory, James Levin, and Steve Webster to associate principal.
- Michigan Campus Becomes Massive Public Gallery in May — Students Debut Best Work in Year-End Exhibitions at Kendall College of Art and Design - After two-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions, KCAD presents a wide-ranging showcase of noted work by 2022 graduates; Record attendance expected at Grand Rapids magnet for emerging leaders in design and visual arts, representing the depth and breadth of student experience in KCAD studios, labs and classrooms.
- Stephen Says - "Get a Good Night's Sleep" - by Stephen Viscusi - Salespeople are excited about returning to real work and even the many who are not getting to go this year to Chicago may be having an event in their local market. People are excited.
- UPFRONT: 2020 Announces Newest Release of 2020 Office Softwares - The new features in v2022 simplify the interface and highlight the basic commands needed to complete an office furniture project.
- SPOTLIGHT: DEKKO Launches Layer Designed by IDA Design - "The inspiration behind Layer was to create a multi-user power solution that can go anywhere," IDA Design Principal Mitch Bakker said. The product is so-named for its versatile layers of application in all kinds of environments.
- REPORTED: Shaw Industries Releases 14th Annual Sustainability Report - As the company continues its commitment to Cradle to Cradle design principles, it has set new goals for net zero operations and diversity and inclusion as part of its sustain[HUMAN]ability strategy.
- PLACES - MAM Competence Center Offices – Grosshöflein | Each building's cell nucleus creates a two-story atrium with a greenhouse-like roof and plantation that offers the employees a hybrid between inside and outside. Despite the building's depth, this weather-protected area allows natural light access from within and acts as a spatial link between floors.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Empire Office Adds to Executive Management Team Based in the Atlanta Market / Lesro Welcomes New Manufacturer Representative / HLW Hires Science and Technology Market Sector Leader to Strengthen Firm's Laboratory Design and Planning Portfolio / Sponsorships Open for the BIFMA 360 Leadership Conference / Forbes and Statista name Shaw Industries a Best Employer for Diversity 2022 / IIDA Announces Winners of 25th Annual IIDA/HD Expo Product Design Awards / New Hot Desking Features Introduced from Envoy
- FIRST LOOKS - nanimarquina Wins Top Honors at HD Expo 2022 / Design with Purpose, Every Day is Earth Day / HBF Textiles: Immerse Yourself in Dusted Fleck / Ethnicraft Wins Top Honors at HD Expo 2022 / New Modern Window Covering Offers Solar Protection for Office Spaces
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 27, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Time to Reduce the Number of Links in Our Supply Chain - It is past time that the office furniture industry rethink its supply chain. Over the past few weeks, it has become painfully clear that we can't rely on the system that we have in place today. U.S. office furniture makers need to reshore at least some of the production that is currently taking place at far-flung places around the globe.
- With Determination and Innovation, Regency Grew a Dream into a Legacy - Regency grew and gained notoriety in the ecommerce community, but the dealership community wanted something that was still their own, so Regency launched a third brand — Regency Global Sourcing, which included commercial grade products and customizable pieces.
- Adam Sandow's Vision for the Future of Design - Sandow compared the current Material Bank to a Cessna, a small, personal aircraft. "A fighter jet is coming," he said of the new Material Bank.
- Carie Scott Johnson Joins The Viscusi Group as Executive Recruiter - Johnson brings more than 20 years of senior sales expertise to The Viscusi Group team. Johnson has held senior sales positions with industry leaders. She is a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in history.
- Four Ways the Metaverse will Impact the Interiors Industry - Virtual and augmented reality have the potential to create more accessible spaces for exploration. But they could also create barriers.
- NYCxDESIGN Announces New Programming and Events for Festival's 10th Anniversary Edition - Initiatives across all five boroughs Celebrate the city's cultural community through design talks, shows, open studios, installations, exhibits, pop-ups, and more.
- Why You Should Use Biodegradable Textiles on Your Next Project - Synthetic textiles in commercial interiors today are widespread, with most woven from plastic-based acrylic, nylon or polyester yarns that are cut and sewn in factories. Almost all are chemically produced and nonbiodegradable. And nearly everything is ending up in the landfill.
- Keilhauer Shares 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Report - "At Keilhauer, we have always believed that a responsible business must prioritize sustainability," said Mike Keilhauer, president.
- MillerKnoll Announces 2030 Sustainability Goals: Doing More for Our Planet - Throughout its sustainability history, the company has tapped into the power and passion of its people to drive change.
- Perkins&Will Unveils First-of-its-kind Net-Zero Operational Carbon Community Centre in Toronto - The North East Scarborough Community and Child Care Centre will achieve net zero status through energy efficient design and renewable energy systems, while adding much-needed facilities that celebrate local community.
- Virco Releases Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2022 Results - Order rates and demand for school furniture remain strong. In the fourth quarter, typically a slow time for orders in the seasonal cycle for school furniture, orders were up 65% compared to the same period of the prior year.
- Stephen Says - "References Today Are the Price of a Ticket to the 'Hall of Fame' Dinner, So Don't Get Fooled" - by Stephen Viscusi - Here is the Viscusi hiring advice: Slow down when making a hire today. Think of a hire like your lead time for making a product. A rule of thumb is your hire should never take shorter than your lead time. Sixteen weeks for a wood conference table, but you want to hire a person to sell it in a month?
- UPFRONT: 2020 + Compusoft Launch Global Inspiration Contest for Kitchen, Bathroom and Office Designers - 2020 + Compusoft announced the return of their Global Inspiration Contest for kitchen, bathroom and office designers. The contest provides a platform for 2020 Design Live, 2020 Fusion Live, 2020 Office, Winner and Innoplus users to be recognized among their peers for their creative, functional and aesthetic design skills.
- SPOTLIGHT: Allsteel Introduces a New Workplace Solution – the FIT Panel System - The versatility of FIT components creates integrated worksettings that efficiently manage technology and adapt to a variety of workstyles.
- TRAINING: Solomon Coyle Now Accepting Registrations for Summer Session of Project Management Training - Classes to be held for Allsteel, Kimball International, Knoll and Teknion Dealers.
- PLACES - Riseup Offices – Tel Aviv | Riseup's kitchen and large informal meeting space is an introduction to the bright yellows and blues and bold geometric shapes that will comprise the design elements throughout the office.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Ware Malcomb Hires Rei Takata as Studio Manager, Architecture in Washington, D.C. Office / OFGO STUDIO Announces Alex Sisk as new Vice President of Sales / Keilhauer Named as one of Canada's Greenest Employers 2022 / ZAS Architects + Interiors Promotes Interior Design Practice Leader of Vancouver Studio to Principal / Dattner Architects Promotes Shefali Sanghvi to Director of Sustainability / Crossville Partners With MindClick; All Products Receive Leader Rating / Henricksen Hires Kevin Kennedy as Vice President of Sales for New York Office
- FIRST LOOKS - New from KFI Studios: Arbor Guest Chair / LightArt Introduces Four Acoustic Lights to Create Custom, Connected Shapes / Mohawk Group Bolsters their Beyond Carbon-Neutral Portfolio with the Release of New 2022 EPDs and Launch of the Innovative EcoFlex ONE Flooring Solution / DEKKO Launches Layer Designed by IDA Design
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 20, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: The Evolution of the Once-Lowly Dorm - When you think of college life, your mind probably conjures images of the movie "Animal House" mixed with memories of late night cram sessions and disgusting dorm rooms. I certainly remember my time at Michigan State University and Hubbard Hall, a drab set of two 12-story towers on the East Lansing campus.
- AIS Co-Founder Bruce Platzman Transitions Focus to Philanthropic and Regional Economic Growth - Nick Haritos to become CEO on June 1 as AIS poises itself for continued growth and increased market share.
- OFS Takes Forest Stewardship Seriously - Nearly everything OFS sells utilizes wood in some way. Some pieces celebrate wood front and center while other furniture lines use wood at their core. Wood remains a hallmark of the company's design heritage.
- Humanscale Debuts Path - Each chair is climate positive, and composed of over 20 lbs of recycled content, including almost 10 lbs of ocean plastic.
- ecomedes Acquires Leading Commercial Design Discovery Platform Mortarr - Mortarr fits nicely in the industry as a "top of the funnel" resource for designers. It provides the inspiration much more easily than wading through billions of images on Pinterest.
- Leading Hospitality Furniture Manufacturer Beaufurn Announces Major Rebranding - The new brand identity, including a new logo, visual elements, and a streamlined user interface, comes as the company prepares to display at the annual Hospitality Design Expo + Conference in Las Vegas.
- Humanscale's Earth Week Programming Will Educate and Inspire Action on Climate Year-Round - Humanscale leadership will speak on two panels about the sustainable impact of design at "Design U – The Future of Eco-Conscious Living."
- Monthly Learning Series: LEVEL by BIFMA Program Overview - Speaker Steve Kooy has more than 15 years of experience as a sustainability professional in the furniture industry. He oversees the e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard and LEVEL Certification Program, including revisions and interpretations.
- Privately Held Formaspace Announces 33% Growth, New Leadership and Major Capital Investments to Support Ongoing Growth - The Austin-based furniture manufacturer promoted three team members to President, VP & Business Development Manager to sustain momentum as orders are on the rise.
- Landscape Forms Becomes a Member of the Lighting Industry Resource Council and Brand Partner with International Dark-Sky Association - IDA and Landscape Forms share common values of protecting the nighttime environment through appropriate lighting and avoiding the negative impacts of over lighting.
- Office Gallery International Names Susan Marshall as Vice President of Sales - In this newly created role, Marshall oversees the sales team as well as manages her own book of business.
- 3form's New Graphic Patterns Collection Brings the Forest to the Built Environment - When 3form sought inspiration for this collection, they didn't need to look further than their own backyard. Located less than 200 miles away from the brand's Salt Lake City headquarters is Pando the Tree, a colony of Aspen trees connected by a single root structure planted 2.6 million years ago.
- Trendway Awarded LEVEL 2 Certification for Its Top-Selling Products - Trendwall and Volo Wall and systems products Capture, Choices, Instrinsic, Pack Storage and Desking and Trig have earned LEVEL 2 sustainability certification by BIFMA.
- Stephen Says - "April Surprise at MillerKnoll Made This Salesperson Happy" - by Stephen Viscusi - Yes, I received many letters over the past couple of months and I suggested to people they wait out this big "April Surprise" on the new MillerKnoll compensation.
- UPFRONT: BIFMA Introduces Home Office and Occasional-Use Desk, Table and Storage Products Standard - Several multi-stakeholder lab workshops were held in 2018 and 2019. In 2020 and 2021 the draft proposals were reviewed by the BIFMA Association and approved.
- SPOTLIGHT: Reduced Cable Clutter and get Better Power Access – the Desk2Device USB Charger - Power access and cable management are important features for both productivity and aesthetics in the workspace. The last thing many desk workers want, whether in the corporate or home office, is another power cable cluttering their workspace.
- INTRODUCED: New from HBF Textiles: Crumpled Paper - 91% Biodegradable Polyester - Designed by Mary Jo Miller, VP of Design and Development at HBF Textiles, Crumpled Paper was inspired by the creasing of different paper thicknesses to reach the optimum combination of shadow and light.
- SUSTAINABILITY: Steelcase - Steelcase announced progress towards its sustainability goals with a significant increase to its Business and Industrial Furniture Manufacturer's Association LEVEL certified products. A total of 281 of its products now meet new LEVEL standards, including 114 at LEVEL 3, the highest and most rigorous certification.
- PLACES - Motional Offices – Singapore | Graphite Studio designed a flexible and connected environment in which the ability to engage in focussed work, impromptu problem solving, digital connectivity and social bonding are prioritized.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Landscape Forms Announces Lighting Agency Partnerships with Lighting Systems of Columbus and Hitech of Montreal and Quebec City / Announcing The 2023 BIFMA 360 Leadership Conference Future First / IIDA Announces Finalists of Two Prestigious Design Competitions / Jung Kim Joins MKDA as Studio Director in its New York Studio / Antonello Musumeci Joins MKDA as Design Principal, Law Firm Practice Area Leader / Kimball International Named One of America's Most Trustworthy Companies
- FIRST LOOKS - Luum Graded In Fabrics Program / KFI Studio's Eveleen Collection Now Available in New Color / Artaic Expands Award-Winning Flourish Collection with Three New Designs / Arper Partners with Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure Exhibition to Outfit Michael Todd VIP Room / Taking Care of Business - Bentley
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-April, 2022
- Rob Kirkbride | NeoCon is My Time to Reconnect to the Industry - With COVID still lurking, a war raging in Ukraine, the dust settling from the Herman Miller and Knoll merger, managers sorting work from home rules and inflation soaring, you might be feeling as unmoored as I am. Not to try to give you a heart attack, but NeoCon is less than two months away friends. Like it or not, NeoCon is our industry's family reunion. And for many dealers, it is one of the few times during the year when they get to connect with colleagues and friends from across the country and around the world.
- Jim Heilborn | The Future of Hiring and Retention: What do the Surveys Tell Us? - As if furniture dealers and manufacturers weren't already having their challenges retaining, replacing, attracting, and recruiting people in 2019, along came the pandemic. At the height of the pandemic a lot of employees put off changing jobs due to the instability of the labor market. Many people did get laid off but then decided they didn't want to return to their old job or way of life. So in addition to everything else that happened and with an already tight labor market for all businesses, people started quitting their jobs in record numbers and didn't return to their previous jobs or even industries. The Great Resignation.
- Washington Workplace: People, Products and Ideas that Make a Difference - The company follows three key philosophies: turning business relationships into real personal friendships; being prepared for business opportunities when they arise and most importantly; being committed to serve others (clients, employees, the community) without regard to any personal benefit or return. What makes Washington Workplace truly unique is its teams approach to sales. Each salesperson has his or her own team, complete with designers, project managers and sales coordinators, more similar to how real estate firms operate than office furniture companies. These teams operate effectively, profitably, and independently, under the Washington Workplace's outside-the-box system.
- Brian Zuercher | Sustainability is a Key to Attracting Future Talent - Creating a more sustainable product and infrastructure for the contract furniture industry is the main focus for the future of the industry; it also can be a springboard for attracting future top talent. Just as the where and how we work are changing, so are the expectations of GenZ. Sorry boomers and Gen X (that's me), but nobody's going to be catering to our needs from here out.
- Plural Studios Launches Contract Furniture Brand and Website - Plural's website features innovative new commercial furniture solutions made in America for healthcare, corporate, hospitality, and market-defying applications. "Plural believes in delighting its clients by providing adaptable furniture solutions that make a positive impact on the economy and society at large," the company stated. "As a family-owned business that still builds its products by hand in America, the company's culture, integrity, and relationships guide its every decision."
- Stefanie Ince | Show Your Employees You Care About Their Well-being and Get Free Customized Employee Wellness Report: Sign up to be an Employee Wellness Survey Distribution Partner - The I Care Employee Wellness Survey is an initiative that takes place every year in June with a goal to better understand the health and well-being of individuals working in the commercial interiors industry.
- The Never-Ending World Does Not Exist - Giving people and the things we use a second chance for a sustainable future. The fossil energy we use to power machines that extract, transport, and process the raw materials we need for business is now in short supply. Oil, coal, and gas, which account for 75% of energy production, passed their peak production several years ago—and it's past time for change.
- Henricksen Acquires COFCO - COFCO—which was founded in Philadelphia and recently expanded to Washington, D.C.—has a long and storied history of providing customers with exceptional service and outcomes, especially in the corporate, public sector, and healthcare spaces.
- Industry Musings - Remote working has changed the rules of the workplace, so watch out / The Lasting Impact of Good Office Design / What the metaverse means for the future of work / Hot Desking Is Not Genuine Flexible Work Model / How to retrofit the office for an era of hybrid work, lessons from Columbia Business School / Workplaces are in denial over how much Americans have changed / Rise of the Third Place: A Creative Alternative to the Home and Office / 'Striking a balance': How one company is rethinking the office for hybrid work
- HD Expo + Conference Announces Programming Details - The hospitality market is massive. In 2020, the global hospitality market reached $3.48 trillion and was forecast to grow to $4.13 trillion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate of 18.5%.
- IDA Design | An Interview With Pax Coworking Space - We sat down with Carolyn Buck, a founder of PAX Coworking Studio in Holland, Michigan to talk about the future of coworking and the benefits of this amazing new space.
Business of Furniture - April 13, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Microsoft Finds Working from Home is Not Working - In this space, I've spent a lot of time over the last year pushing for a return to the office. At the same time, many in the technology world (and surprisingly, a few in the office furniture world) have pushed to keep people working from home.
- NEXposture Pulls Up the Work to You - NEXposture's sliding surface extends and retracts over a ten-inch range while declining at a six-degree angle allowing desktop technology to mirror the kinematic motion of the chair and user.
- The Softer Side of Space: Three Transformative Influences on the Interior Design Profession - When looking at the human needs for a physical space today, one must consider the uniqueness of this moment in time. Our collective society has endured trauma on multiple fronts over the course of the past two years.
- Arper Announces Amy Storek as CEO of Arper Americas - Storek's true passion and experience lie in design as she has collaborated with some of the world's industry leading companies and design innovators.
- TAKT's First Eco Task Chair Brings Elegant Ergonomic Functionality to Home Office - Easy to operate, with minimal knobs and levers, the chair has a swivel base and pneumatic lift with a height-adjustable lever. It has a simple, intuitive range of dynamic movement, allowing the user to lean backwards and forwards, relieving tension and creating postural change.
- Wallcoverings Association Annual Meeting in Florida Draws Many - The main stage at the Annual Meeting offered a notable lineup of industry experts, including Adrienne Palmer, Editor, Big Picture; AJ Paron, EVP and Design Futurist, Sandow Design Group; Amanda Schneider, Founder, ThinkLab; and Kevin Koonce, Vice President of Government Affairs, Vinyl Institute.
- Knoll Partners With Illinois Institute of Technology Mies van der Rohe Society and College of Architecture to Present "A Discerning Eye." - The exhibit explores the importance of mentorship in architecture and design while celebrating the relationship and works of Florence Knoll and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
- Ware Malcomb Celebrates 50 Years by Donating $50,000 to 50 Local Charities - Ware Malcomb offers a positive, dynamic and collaborative environment where team members are encouraged to grow their careers and continue learning.
- Design Museum Week Aims to Inspire, Educate and Transform - In addition to 45+ virtual sessions, Design Museum Week will feature 14 keynote speakers over the course of five days to re-conceptualize design's role in 21st century systems.
- SBLM Architects Welcomes a New Director to the New York City Office - At SBLM Architects, Chu will work on a wide range of healthcare and wellness projects, particularly those that utilize new technologies in radiology and hybrid operating rooms.
- Allseating Announces New Partnership with Arnold Collective - Arnold Collective builds a tradition of exceptional service and solutions for its clients. The team creates its unique value proposition by exclusively representing North American-built furniture and creating a boutique sales approach to its clients.
- Henricksen Elevates Melissa Huff and Welcomes New Hire Jess Weber in Chicago Office - "Melissa and Jess exhibit qualities that reflect Henricksen's core values, including professionalism, resourcefulness, and dedication," said Ryan Esche, principal + vice president at Henricksen.
- Western Specialty Contractors Chicago Senior Branch Manager Steve Genovese Receives ICRI 40 Under 40 Award - This year's 40 Under 40 winners were recognized at the ICRI's 2022 Spring Convention, April 4-6, in Baltimore, MD.
- SGA Names Five New Principals and Promotes Seven to Position of Directors - "At SGA, our strength is our people and the talent, experience, and expertise they bring to each project to support our clients' needs and deliver their vision into reality," said Adam Spagnolo, Partner at SGA.
- New Tailored by Tarkett Program Makes It Easier Than Ever to Personalize Flooring Design - Drawing on the company's unmatched legacy in custom flooring options, Tailored by Tarkett expedites the process of designing and specifying one-of-a-kind floors by providing the needed design resources all in a single design hub.
- Stephen Says - "References Today Are the Price of a Ticket to the 'Hall of Fame' Dinner, So Don't Get Fooled" - by Stephen Viscusi - All of the biggest hiring problems people have today stem from the fact everyone is in such a hurry to hire.
- UPFRONT: NeoCon 2022 Programming Registration Now Open - An invaluable component of every NeoCon is the multitude of educational opportunities it offers.
- SPOTLIGHT: HBF Debuts Spring 2022 Collection - Part One is comprised of woven fabrics that speak to dusty hues, light, shadow, as well as layering and movement.
- PROMOTED: Legrand Promotes Erik Prins to National Account Manager – Furniture Dealers and OEM's - Legrand Electrical Wiring Systems Division has recently realigned the Connectrac Sales Team to become the Interiors Specification Group. This new team will represent the entire suite of Legrand Commercial power Delivery Systems for the commercial interiors space.
- PLACES - EPAM Offices – Bucharest | People will now be able to work more efficiently, meet more casually and collaborate more directly, all within one new world.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Introducing 2020's Newest Enterprise Account and Business Development Manager / ASID Launches National Conference for 2022 / Office Furniture Liquidations Wants Its Furniture Back
- FIRST LOOKS - Two New Desks From Ligne Roset / Tailored Menswear Inspires New Carnegie Collection / The Elemental Collection from Concertex - Inspired by the Five Enduring Elements of Nature / Bentley: Kick Start
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 6, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Looking for New Markets? Head Over to Healthcare - Point of care products, or POC, is commonly regarded as the point of interaction where care giving and information exchange occurs between a patient and a caregiver. Most dealers currently selling into healthcare facilities are limited to on-carpet sales.
- HAT Collective Adds Healthcare - HAT Collective Healthcare is sort of a return to the company's roots. Innovative has made healthcare monitor arms for years. HAT Collective Healthcare is a way of bringing those products to the forefront while adding substantially to the offering.
- Carl Hansen & Søn's New York Flagship Opens in SoHo - The new space, which launched as a pop-up at 152 Wooster Street next store, took just three weeks to implement. With the expanded room, the company is able to showcase larger furniture and more accessories, featuring pieces from its classic furniture collection as well as lamps and carpets.
- American Society of Interior Designers Releases Latest Round of Research, Big Shifts Predicted - The future of office design is evolving. As ways of working and employees' attitudes toward work are changing, employers and designers are trying to figure out what the office of the future should look like.
- DesignTV by SANDOW Launches Apps on Mobile and OTT With On-Demand Library of 500-plus Programs - Brands want to share their story with designers and design enthusiasts in authentic and impactful ways," said Erica Holborn, CEO of SANDOW Design Group.
- ECA by Dekko Launches the Powerfully Versatile Electrolite - "Users and specifiers can configure nearly every aspect of Electrolite to fit their specific needs. No matter what angle you view the product from, its consistent form can be felt," Dekko General Manager Rick Fox said.
- Henricksen Acquires COFCO, a Full-Scale Furniture Solutions Provider - COFCO—which was founded in Philadelphia and recently expanded to Washington, D.C.—has a long and storied history of providing customers with exceptional service and outcomes, especially in the corporate, public sector, and healthcare spaces.
- Students Earn and Learn During Wege Prize Sustainable Design Workshop - With a framework inspired by the globally recognized Wege Prize collegiate competition – whose international success has ensured its five-year continuation with a doubled total purse prize of USD $65,000 – the cutting edge, two-week high school student workshop was created by KCAD's Wege Center for Sustainable Design.
- Camira Group Takes Majority Stake in Textile Recycling Business iinouiio - An acronym for "it is never over until it is over", iinouiio has secured major investment funding to install state-of-the-art wool textile reprocessing machinery, the first of its kind in the UK for more than 20 years.
- Steelcase, BASF Use Unique Recycled Material on New Stool - This is the first furniture product for Steelcase, one of the world's leading furniture manufacturers, that uses plastics derived from a chemical or advanced recycling process.
- Raw Results: MillerKnoll Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2022 Results - Third quarter consolidated net sales were $1.0 billion, reflecting an increase of 74.3% on a reported basis and 20.3% organically compared to prior year.
- Stephen Says - "Last Year I Made More Money Than Ever, This Year They Are Dividing My Territory!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Remember, it's easy when you have a monopoly on the account base, and it often gives a salesperson a swollen head. So it may not be time to change jobs. Instead, try to work a little smarter. If you crush your sales goal even with more competition, then you might be ready to test the market.
- UPFRONT: 9to5 Seating's Award-Winning Jax Collection Expands Wood Base Options - The Jax Collection is a standout thanks to its contemporary lines and design. The new wood bases complement the look with rich, solid high-quality wood and maple or walnut finishes. These new options springboard off the success of the wood-leg rocker model last year.
- SPOTLIGHT: Keilhauer's 100% Recyclable Epix Chair Wins Red Dot Award - The Epix chair is one of the standout pieces from the sustainable Epix collection, which was launched in April 2021.
- NOW REPPING: Groupe Lacasse Adds PT SALES INC. - As part of its strategic initiative to continue to grow its share of business in a hyper-competitive marketplace, Groupe Lacasse has appointed a new independent, multi-state rep organization responsible for the sale of commercial and healthcare products in the states of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC.
- PLACES - foodpanda Offices – Budapest | foodpanda has been serving hungry people since 1999. Founded in Hungary, the company is now part of the German parent company, the Delivery Hero network, with subsidiaries in nearly 50 countries.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - New Account Manager Joins 2020 Office Team / Allsteel Announces Expansion Into Fulton Market / Premier Office Solutions Is Now The Exclusive Herman Miller and Knoll Dealer for Central Pennsylvania / SONNEMAN–A Way of Light Opens Highly-Anticipated Warehouse in Orange County, NY / Allseating Celebrates 40th Anniversary with New Commemorative Logo / DIFFA BY DESIGN Raises Over Half a Million Dollars / Metal Designs Sunny Side Up at Chemetal
- FIRST LOOKS - A New Tactile Twosome from Designtex / Keilhauer Launches Latest Textile Card and 5 Clicks Partnership with Momentum Group / Springboard Introduces a Stylish Easel
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 30, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: What We Can Learn From Steelcase Financials - The financial filing shows just how strange the market is right now. If you read the report just based on the company's tone, you would think Steelcase had a great quarter and year. Corporate profits are up, unemployment is down, CEO confidence is high, investment in non-residential equipment is up, the architectural billing index is positive and real estate absorption is improving.
- The Office Kitchen May be Key in Fostering Human Connection Again — if Designed Thoughtfully - The design of the office kitchen is important, but whether we like it or not, we're a plugged-in society now and architect Wayne Turett believes leading with that idea can help companies create better kitchen and common areas.
- Shifting Gears: Robert Craven's Journey from Manufacturer to Rep - Craven's career in A+D and contract furniture spans more than 20 years. Before forming The CRAVEN Co, Craven served as vice president of global accounts and president of North America for Netherlands-based Maars Living Walls, a MillerKnoll company.
- International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and WantedDesign Manhattan to Return to Fully Scheduled, In-Person Event - ICFF used to be a blend of contract and residential design-focused products, but over the past decade, most of the contract brands have left the show. Still, it is an important place for the contract industry to discover new trends and brands. It is a pair of shows that run side by side focused wholly on design.
- NeoCon 2022 Keynotes & Special Programs Announced - This year's edition will run June 13-15, 2022, and, in addition to showcasing cutting-edge new product launches from hundreds of established and emerging brands, the event will offer an engaging lineup of compelling on-site, and virtual programming.
- Salone Reveals Plans and Special Exhibits for 60th Edition - The Salone del Mobile will be back in June. We will be celebrating the 60th milestone edition and all the beauty generated not just by the event, but also by the companies, the brands and the designers on whom its success hinges, and who come together to create an event that reflects the ongoing ecological transition of the furnishing system.
- The Hybrid Work Butterfly Effect: 5 Biggest Opportunities for Workplace Design - We recently sat down with Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics, who has spent the past 20 years exploring hybrid work, and Dagnall Folger, co-founder of A+I, a design agency focused not only on strategy, design, and architecture for space, but also the public space that links them.
- Vitra Unveils New Modular Office System: Comma - Comma mirrors the functionality – and aesthetic – of scaffolding. Consisting of a few individual elements available in a kit of parts, Comma can be easily configured into diverse structures that define the space and the work processes to be conducted.
- 3form Advances Design Leadership With New Role: Ryan Grey Smith Promoted - As 3form's new Chief Creative Officer, Smith will lead 3form, 3form Elements, and LightArt's design approach and innovation. He will collaborate with teams across the 3form companies to apply his insight to long-term product planning and overall design decisions.
- Herman Miller Expands Retail Presence in NYC and LA this Spring - The Herman Miller Meatpacking and Williamsburg stores, 1,750 and 1,460 square-foot spaces respectively, will each have performance specialists on-hand to help shoppers better understand the ergonomic and productivity benefits of sitting well.
- Raw Results: Steelcase Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2022 - "In fiscal 2023, we expect to realize more of the benefits from the momentum we've been seeing in our order patterns, as our pricing actions catch up with inflation and the impacts from supply chain disruptions abate," said Sara Armbruster.
- Stephen Says - "I Negotiated a High Base Salary and it Backfired on Me" - by Stephen Viscusi - I have twice started jobs where within 2 years of the start date I lost the jobs as a direct result of asking for, and then receiving, too high a base salary. I know this because each time I am let go, the owner or CEO will explain my salary is an expense they need to reduce.
- UPFRONT: Architecture Firm Billings Continue to Increase at a Moderate Pace - Nearly eight in 10 architecture firms say that the impact of supply chain disruptions on projects at their firm is more serious now than one year ago.
- SPOTLIGHT: De Vorm Introduces Pivot Lighting Series - Pivot series is available in 11 PET Felt blends and two color temperatures to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of any interior. Both versions of the lamp work equally well on their own and in various compositions.
- SEEN: Sleek, Leather-Bound Desk with Smart Storage - Designed by Kensaku Oshiro, Poltrona Frau's Iren desk elevates everyday work with its pure lines, attention to detail, and sophisticated mix of materials.
- PLACES - UCB Pharma Offices – Milan | Workitect has created the new layout and design for the Milanese offices of the global biopharmaceutical company UCB Pharma. Bucking the rest of the market, the multinational company UCB Pharma has increased the number of staff by 30% during the COVID pandemic.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Woolpert Welcomes Architectural Design Leader, Managing Principal Darryl Henderson / Tarkett Releases its 2021 Corporate Social & Environmental Report Highlighting Significant Performance and New Climate Targets
- FIRST LOOKS - Flos Launches Oplight - Simplicity at its Finest / Office Specialty Releases Caddy and Mobile Storage — First Products of the 2Stor Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 23, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Women Leaders are Critical to Development of This Industry - March is Women's History Month and it is fitting that we take a moment to recognize some of the women who made this industry what it is and those who are propelling it into the future.
- AIS Thrives as it Continues to Put the Dealer First - The company is going to launch several new products at NeoCon, some of which will surprise those who watch its product development. Brianne Devine, vice president of product line management, said to expect more task chairs, more desking products and more work lounge products. Also, look to AIS for a fresh take on the private office.
- Landmark Project Underway in Denmark Showcases Building Shaped Like Human Brain - "The brain is the most complex organ in the human body. Our design for the new Danish Neuroscience Center in Aarhus, replicates the most essential feature of the brain — the gyrification — to create more connections and space within limited confines," said Bjarke Ingels, founding partner, BIG.
- Wisconsin Passes Historic Interior Design Initiative - The interior design profession continues efforts in strengthening legislation following its recent North Carolina success.
- Material Bank Acquires PIM and Digital Asset Management Platform Amber Engine, Amplifying Digital Capabilities - Amber Engine revolutionizes the complex process of product data management helping to dramatically scale companies across the globe. This acquisition coincides with Amber Engine's next-gen product launch.
- Cambria to Open Four New Distribution Centers in the Next Two Years - The new sales and distribution centers will bring the company total to 22.
- SONNEMAN – A Way of Light Appoints Andrew B. Cogan as CEO - Cogan has served as a Board Director of SONNEMAN since September 2021. As part of this transition, Sonny Park, SONNEMAN's co-founder and CEO will become Executive Chairman and remain on the SONNEMAN board.
- Tangram Announces Mark Peters and Angela Ramon Have Joined In Dallas Fort-Worth Office - Peters brings over 20 years of education and healthcare national sales experience to the Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW) Tangram team. In his previous sales role, he was consistently recognized for successfully building and leading top performing teams.
- Eyeing Growth in Key Sectors, Dyer Brown Adds Five Designers in Key Positions - The slate of hires includes the addition of Darrin Hunter, Assoc. AIA, to a fulltime position as experiential graphic designer, after many years as a consultant and photographer to the firm.
- Diébédo Francis Kéré Receives the 2022 Pritzker Architecture Prize - Born in Gando, Burkina Faso and based in Berlin, Germany, the architect known as Francis Kéré empowers and transforms communities through the process of architecture. Through his commitment to social justice and engagement, and intelligent use of local materials to connect and respond to the natural climate, he works in marginalized countries laden with constraints and adversity, where architecture and infrastructure are absent.
- Samuelson Furniture Opens New Showroom - Today Samuelson Furniture is 100 percent focused on the four and five star hospitality furniture market. Its roots making and selling high quality furniture has made the transition easy. The company continues to focus on personal relationships and quality-driven, design-driven furniture at the upper end of the market.
- FLOR Introduces First Carbon Negative Area Rugs - The new premium design brand launches this spring, with new styles to further FLOR's commitment to creating with carbon.
- Stephen Says - "I Can't Find A Job Even in This Tight Job Market and Recruiters Treat Me Like I Am Worthless" - by Stephen Viscusi - Please do not despair or consider yourself a tragic figure like Willie Loman in "Death of a Salesman." Let's start there. I will be reaching out to you personally since you have used a serious pen name, and I'm sure there will be no tragic ending and you will look back on this as just a bump in the career road. Here is my advice; seek counseling beyond the outplacement service you have been offered.
- UPFRONT: Kimball International Leadership Changes for Hospitality Business Unit - Kimball announced that Kathy Sigler, current president of the company's Hospitality Business Unit, will retire after a successful 32-year career with the company. Mark Johnson has been named Sigler's successor and will take on the role of President, Hospitality.
- SPOTLIGHT: Unika Vaev Introduces Holly Acoustic Lighting - With the Holly Acoustic Lighting Collection, Designers Hallgeir Homstvedt and Runa Klock have challenged preconceptions of how acoustic lighting should look. This builds upon the success of their most recent design for Abstracta, the Lily Lamp Collection.
- REPORTED: The Future of Work Revealed in ASID's Reimagining Work Report - "This is the time to break open everything, to extract and distill what is really meaningful to people at work and design spaces to nurture them. This is a time for renaissance."
- PLACES - Sartorius Offices – Berlin | Thanks to mobile furniture such as tables on wheels, mobile work islands with integrated trees and movable room dividers with plants, the space can be used flexibly.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Architecture Firm three Adds Director of Interior Design; Expands into Workplace Sector / Emily McGarvey Joins Room & Board as Director of Sustainability / Buro Happold Opens Five New U.S. Offices, Adding Key Regional Leaders / Ware Malcomb Hires Luciana Arim as Director, Science & Technology in Pleasanton Office / LAMVIN Announces New Vice President of Sales / Join BIFMA Mar. 24 for Accredited CEU, Demystifying Furniture's Role in Sustainability
- FIRST LOOKS - Studio TK Introduces Libelle, A Collection of Innovative Lounge Chair Options / New Arc-Com Pattern: Flora / Hybrid Office Design: Expanding Tables for the Shrinking Office / STRATA Beam Expansion from Landscape Forms / Stairs Sideboard from Ethnicraft / Tones Collection from nanimarquina / AMAi by Extremis - Flexibility at its Finest
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-March, 2022
- Rob Kirkbride | Cleaning Services to Coors Light: Dealers Get Creative When it Comes to Alternative Ways of Increasing Revenue - This month at Midpoint, we are taking a look at alternate ways of growing revenue and it is a critically important topic for dealers and reps. There is no rulebook that says office furniture dealers and reps must only sell office furniture.
- Jim Heilborn | Beyond Product: Alternate Ways to Grow Revenue - As I've written many times before, if your clients aren't buying furniture right now, they have a greater need to maintain what they already own. I've addressed this in the past but I am still amazed at the number of dealers who aren't taking greater advantage of the opportunity to increase their sales, gross profit, and capture greater market share by offering relevant services.
- OfficeWorks Makes the Most in its 'Small' Big City - OfficeWorks navigated through the COVID pandemic without furloughing a single worker. Instead, it has added services that its customers have asked for and need in the changing world of work. OfficeWorks has added workplace decommissioning and other services to help its customers return to work. "We have always realized that our two greatest assets are our customers and our teammates — and we have worked very hard to listen to and nurture both. On our customer side, every one of our projects receives a satisfaction survey. We have consistently scored in the 99-plus percent range, in meeting or exceeding expectations and when we do have a response that indicates a need for improvement, that customer gets a call from our president who makes sure the issue is resolved to their satisfaction."
- Kibibi Springs | Living Well at Work — Spine Health at Work: The Physical and Cognitive Connection to Ergonomics - The mind-body connection is enhanced when we practice good spinal health, including protecting the nerve roots in our spinal cord, absorbing stress from movement, maintaining flexibility, and preserving muscle strength.
- Anne Gibson | The Office Renaissance: Future of Work - As the workplace evolves one thing is clear: flexibility is key. The office will need to become a shape-shifting environment that can quickly adapt to facilitate creative connection and renewed purpose. The space needs to be intuitive to solve user needs seamlessly.
- Brian Zuercher | Think Like a Startup When Considering New Revenue Sources - Writing down what the problem, not the solution, is a critical step before you head out to add a business line. It may seem elementary given that you might feel like adding a business line that exists elsewhere makes it a clear problem, but you will benefit from making sure who you think the target buyer is actually agrees with you that it's a problem.
- Bulletin Board - Tangram Announces Lauren Ghizzoni Has Joined As Sales Executive In Dallas Fort-Worth Office / Fishman Flooring Solutions Names Tarkett Contract 2021 Vendor Partner of the Year / Kimball International Announces WELL Health-Safety Rating for Multiple Corporate Showrooms / Premier Office Solutions Is Now The Exclusive Herman Miller & Knoll Dealer for Central Pennsylvania / Haworth Announces Best in Class Dealers
- Glass is a Great Material for Offices and Interiors - Arden Studio, a design-focused glass manufacturer, presents a simple, yet elegant solution to define spaces, direct traffic, and create safer environments with its new Haven Partitions. Marrying the functionality of a screen with the aesthetics of a partition, Haven is perfect for commercial, corporate, educational, or healthcare settings as they evolve to accommodate new normals. The partitions also offer compelling and welcoming visual elements to working environments.
- Industry Musings - Office Tenants Likely To Make Small Design Changes For Big Impact As Workers Come Back / New Offices for the Hybrid Era? Many Companies are On Board. / Modular Workspaces Offer a Smarter, More Sustainable Return to the Office / Banks are Remaking their Offices for the Hybrid Era, Complete with Natural Light, Cold Brew on Tap / How To Design A Flexible Workspace That Supports Wellness / Mammoth Office Furniture Fulfilling Procurement Requirement for Technology Company / Fully Furnished Deal: Burovision Ottawa Acquires Ottawa Business Interiors / Five Takeaways from Microsoft's Second Annual Work Trend Index
- How to Successfully Adapt Spaces to Changing Work Patterns - From individual tasks to group activities, the physical workplace is taking on a variety of new roles.
- Design Perspective | Why can't we repair our own tech? - 'They don't make things like they used to' is a phrase we've all heard. It's no secret that the lifecycle of products, especially tech, is much shorter than it once was. Computer lifespan decreased steadily from 1985 to 2000 going from 10.7 years in 1985 to 5.5 years in 2000.
Business of Furniture - March 16, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Celebrating an Unsung Hero in Our Industry - I spent a bit of time talking to Rick Marchand, a retired school teacher and former Leominster City Councilor who for the past few years has served AIS as its special projects manager. That's a fancy way of saying Marchand leads the company's charitable efforts.
- KI's Zoetry is the Ultimate Furniture Toolbox - Zoetry, which KI showed at NeoCon to a limited group of customers and reps in October, has been very well received. It looks great, meets gaps in KI's line and moves the company into a different conversation when it comes to seating and lounge products.
- Practical Ways to Connect and Engage in a Digital Realm Subtitle: Advice for the Design Industry from a TED Speaker on Engagement and Communication in a Digital World. - "When you work with clients early on, if you take away their fears and start to frame something, then you can give them a clear view of what the brief looks like."
- Michael Graves Architecture & Design Acquires Waldon Studio Architects - Merger strengthens firm's legacy of innovative design and deep sector knowledge and enhances client experience while building on future acquisition strategy.
- 10 Tips to Boost Mental Wellbeing with Neuro-Architecture - Studies have shown that color has the potential to affect your mood, emotions, concentration, and even physical health with methods like color therapy. Bolder colors like bright yellow boost positive thoughts and spark creativity, while reds stimulate and energize.
- Standing up for Plastic: Self-rising Chair Foretells a Rise in the Use of Recycled Plastic - Ever since the 1950's plastic has been a key material in design. However, for the past decade the industry has been misdirected to discuss reducing the use of plastic – when focus should in fact go to increasing its recycling rate.
- Interface Appoints Laurel M. Hurd as Chief Executive Officer - Global consumer brands veteran selected to lead flooring company in next phase of growth; Daniel T. Hendrix to continue as Chairman of the Board.
- Foscarini's VITE Exhibition on Display at New York Showroom - Visitors are taken through the various scenes, as they are transported inside real homes in Copenhagen, New York, Naples, Shanghai, and Venice by Gianluca Vassallo and Flavio Soriga
- FSR's Smart-Way Raceway Goes Global - Smart-Way blends into any room's decor with its slate-grey or bright aluminum finishes making it ideal for offices, conference rooms, collaborative work environments, or anywhere wire management is desired.
- U.S. Department of Energy Recognizes Tarkett North America for GHG Reduction Commitment - As Tarkett undertakes this challenge, DOE will support its efforts with technical assistance, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and a platform for the organization to demonstrate its commitment to being part of the solution to climate change.
- Expert Judges, Program Leader Named for Wege Prize, Global Sustainability Competition for Students - The judges' essential role in the unique framework of Wege Prize benefits the transdisciplinary teams of five that compete over nine months and four distinct phases.
- Stephen Says - "I just left a MillerKnoll dealer for a Steelcase dealer and I have never looked back!" - by Stephen Viscusi - You are correct and you illustrated what I always preach: Dealer salespeople are their own best brand, not the manufacturer that is the major line of the dealership where you work. Dealer recruitment is one of the cornerstones of our business, and we interview hundreds of dealer salespeople so we know how they think.
- UPFRONT: Furniture Industry Loses an Icon - On Saturday Feb. 26 the furniture world lost a giant in the industry, Fred Drechsel. Fred immigrated to Canada in the early 1960's with just an old leather suitcase and big dreams.
- SPOTLIGHT: FIT Panel System from Allsteel - Launching at NeoCon in June, FIT is a minimal, clean aesthetic product that utilizes hard surface laminates in several solid color and woodgrain options, with choice of integrated glass along the top edge.
- EARNED: Sedia Systems Awarded Competitively Solicited Contract with Premier Education Sourcing Cooperative - "It's a big deal for Sedia Systems to gain this distinction as a contracted supplier with E&I Cooperative Services," said Roy Koch, Managing Partner who oversees sales for Sedia Systems.
- PLACES - Fox Rothschild Offices – Chicago | Upon entering the office, staff, clients, and visitors are greeted by an open lobby, which optimizes views of the Chicago River as well as the impressive cityscape.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - KAI Design Welcomes Jake Wagoner, AIA, as Project Architect in its St. Louis Office / Fishman Flooring Solutions Names Tarkett Contract 2021 Vendor Partner of the Year / Spiezle Architectural Group Refreshes Brand to Align with Continued Growth; Launches New Website / IIDA NY Announces Scholarship Program to Uplift Design Students / The smartBOX Company Announces New Representatives / IFI Announces Winners of IFI DDA – Design Distinction Awards in Prestigious IFI Global Awards Program; Also Highest Individual Honors at World Level for the Interiors Profession Revealed
- FIRST LOOKS - LightArt Introduces Tuck & Cylinder, Their First Standard Cylinder Pendants / The Wishbone Chair is Now Available in Nine New Colors by Ilse Crawford / New Launch from Louis Poulsen: Dependant
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 9, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Confirmation Bias Skews View of Work from Home - Since most major media organizations are located on the coasts or in major cities, it is not surprising that everything we heard about working from home came from people working from home. If those reporters in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles were working from home, well, then everyone else was working from home as well.
- Just When You Thought You Had Vari Figured Out... - Vari has a very different model from the rest of the industry. According to Chief Revenue Officer Sean Scogin, Vari is driven by the customer. Where it goes next depends on what the customer wants from the company.
- Industry Pioneer Neutral Posture Announces New President, Secures Long Term Financial Restructuring - Neutral Posture has successfully reorganized its capital structure to target growth and expansion. This restructuring serves as a post-pandemic platform of stability and the ability to pursue growth opportunities.
- Material Bank Expands Internationally; Named to Forbes 'Best Startup Employers' List - The expansion into Japan will be supported by a team of key executives led by Go Nakazawa, who has been appointed CEO of Material Bank Japan.
- As Best of NeoCon Program Opens for Submissions, theMART Continues to Improve NeoCon - Over the last two years, theMART has leased more than 350,000 square feet of showroom space across all industry verticals.
- Next Up: 49th CIFF Guangzhou 2022 - With the achievement of the first centennial goal of "having created a moderately prosperous society in all respects", China is now structured to meet the ever-rising needs of people and promote an ever-increasing quality of life, also strongly influencing the increase of domestic consumption, the evolution of the culture of living and the strengthening of the furniture industry itself.
- DIRTT Seeks Summary Judgment Against Falkbuilt, Smed and Loberg - In the Action, DIRTT seeks, among other things, an order restraining the defendants from competing with DIRTT, a judgment for its losses and damages, and an accounting and disgorgement of the defendants' gains from their wrongful misconduct.
- Inscape Launches Accessory Stack for Inscape Bench, a Customizable Feature for the Office of Tomorrow - As employees return to the office, continue to work remotely, or work in a hybrid model, every company can create their ideal workspace with Accessory Stack's dozens of customizable frames and infills that fit their unique needs or brand.
- Lesro Welcomes New Manufacturer Representative - With a combined industry experience of 40 years, Contract Office Reps is comprised of Stephen Lambard, David Carrera, and Nicole Lambard.
- Shaw Recognized as Best Employer in the 2022 North Georgia Best of the Best Awards - "With more than 65 percent of our associates based in north Georgia, we are honored to be recognized as the area's employer of choice," said Torrance Ford, vice president of talent management at Shaw.
- IIDA Names Pulse On Partnership Limited as Best of Competition Winner of the 12th Annual Global Excellence Awards - Pulse On Partnership Limited showcased a level of sophistication and innovation worthy of international renown.
- Stephen Says - "Will Snoring Get You Fired, or Just Divorced?" - by Stephen Viscusi - I have no idea why this topic is verboten, but it is. It doesn't fly as an excuse at work. So short of divorce, start by filming your husband for a couple of minutes with your smart phone while he is snoring. I know this sounds strange, but most people who snore don't realize what they sound like, look like and what happens to them when they stop breathing.
- UPFRONT: Kimball International Announces WELL Health-Safety Rating for Multiple Corporate Showrooms - Kimball International announced that its Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C., and Los Angeles showrooms have earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI).
- SPOTLIGHT: Legrand Announces Touchless Lighting Control Solution - Perfect for any environment where hands might get dirty, messy or full, the radiant Wave Switch provides an easy, sleek option for cleaner control in both commercial and residential applications and is available in both 15A and 20A.
- ACQUISITIONS: Seattle Based Catalyst Workplace Activation Purchases Major Local Competitor - Seeking strategic opportunities to grow our teams, our customers, and our brand has always been part of the Catalyst culture for almost 40 years. This acquisition will bring a strong team of professionals from Western Office with proven Knoll expertise to Catalyst.
- PLACES - Thüringer Energie AG (TEAG) Offices – Erfurt | TEAG owes the fact that the company is well prepared to face the future, among other things, to the forward-looking decision of expanding the company headquarters in the north of Erfurt into a TEAG campus.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - EDmarket Partners with Solomon Coyle for Dealer Project Management Training / Shaina Panzer to Lead Nevers Industries' Sales & Marketing / KAI Design Hires Scott Clark, Assoc. AIA, as Senior Architectural Designer in St. Louis Office / Artopex Catalogs Available in 2020 Office / Arcadia & Encore Announce Promotions in Client Services Department / Ware Malcomb Hires Julio Braga as Regional Design Director in NYC Office / IIDA Announces Formation of Equity Council / AHF Products Announces Organizational Changes & Promotions
- FIRST LOOKS - New from HAY: Outdoor Furniture by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec / New Renewal Series from Tarkett Inspires Rejuvenation in Senior Living Environments
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 2, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: From Chairs to Chicken Nuggets, Supply Chain Mess Can Be Smoothed Out By Communicating With Your Customers - Several times over the past few weeks I've heard about some truly stunning lead times for office furniture. It used to be that lead times of a month or two were considered long. Now I'm hearing of lead times stretching to 60 weeks.
- FCA Completes Acquisition of Orlando Design Firm - Leading Design Firm Acquires Legacy Firm, Asserting Presence in the Southeast.
- How Supply Chain Pressure is Driving Positive Shifts in the Design Industry - Designers want to know how to communicate to their clients, and manufacturers need to know when projects are hitting to plan accordingly. The days of keeping projects close to the vest, and manufacturers in the dark until the order is ready to place, must change.
- Arden Studio Introduces Haven: Design-focused Glass Partitions - Enabling flexible spaces, Haven partitions are easy to reposition, whether utilized as a floor or desktop solution.
- Wonder How to Create an Open Office that is Quiet and Safe? MojoDome is a Funky Electric Sit-to-Stand Desk with an Adjustable Privacy Dome - MojoDome includes an electric sit-to-stand desk, adjustable acoustical privacy dome, dimmable LED lighting and a magnetic cable management system.
- DIRTT Announces Multiple Initiatives - Changes enable the company to better adapt to rapidly evolving market conditions, reduce annualized fixed operating expenses by approximately 14%, and strengthen capacity to capture significant sales upside.
- HNI Corporation Reports Earnings for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2021 - Workplace Furnishings net sales increased 5.0 percent from the prior year to $1.434 billion. On an organic basis, sales increased 2.4 percent year-over-year.
- DIRTT Releases Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results - "We anticipate that 2022 will demonstrate the beginning of a return to revenue growth with budgeted annual revenue of between $170 and $180 million and improvements in Adjusted EBITDA loss and net loss in 2022, driving towards a shift to positive Adjusted EBITDA in 2023. In the short term, we expect first quarter 2022 revenue to be between $38 million and $42 million."
- Camira Celebrates Ten Years of Hemp - Part of Camira's collection of fabrics made from bast fibers, Hemp is made using the long stem of the hemp plant. Sown from seed and reaching over three yards in height in just 120 days, Camira plants 100lbs of seed for every hectare which generates 6 metric tons of hemp straw, which in turn yields 1 metric ton of textile fiber, equating to 5,400 yards of fabric.
- Stephen Says - "Gossip is Gold, Except When It Is About You: How to Use and Not Let Gossip Abuse You or Your Company." - by Stephen Viscusi - As good as office gossip can be for you, it can be horrible for your company. Especially when it comes to having rumors about hiring practices floating around the office, I blame careless managers who seem to think they walk around in a soundproof bubble.
- UPFRONT: Steelcase Global Report on Hybrid Work Available Now - The Steelcase report, "The New Era of Hybrid Work" surveyed nearly 5,000 workers in 11 countries in late 2021. Many of those surveyed have returned to the office after working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- SPOTLIGHT: Designtex Introduces Two New Friends and Two Revamped Favorites - Featuring two new products and two revamped favorites, there's sure to be something for every space. These four new materials would make a great addition to any toolkit and are sure to play well with others.
- AWARDED: Haworth Names Best in Class Dealers - The Best In Class distinction is based on exceptional performance in market development, sales, customer satisfaction, operational excellence and enterprise development.
- PLACES - Trispace Offices – Zurich | A vast combination of collaboration and concentration areas allow employees to choose the setting that suits their tasks and working style best.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Introducing 2020's Newest Customer Specialist Mark Fredo / FSR's Glenn Collinge Promoted to Strategic Relations Manager / Duravit Announces Robert Downie as New North American President / Karen Hong Promoted to East Coast Sales Manager for Nanimarquina / Harold Thompson Joins Perkins Eastman as Managing Principal / Expanding Leadership Ranks, TAT Names Three New Associates / MBI Seattle Adds Knoll to its Lineup / Henriksen Butler Announced as Utah's Knoll Dealer / Architecture Billings Continue Growth into 2022 / Tangram Announces Lauren Ghizzoni Has Joined As Sales Executive In Dallas Fort-Worth Office
- FIRST LOOKS - Allseating Announces Watson, a Resimercial Soft Seating Collection Designed with Todd Yetman / On & On Toward a Circular Future / Studio TK Launches Punt Collection, a Mid-century Collection Emphasizing Art and Design / Aston Club Low Back from Arper: Comfort in a Contemporary, Pure Silhouette / Sustainability and Modern Craft Converge: Luum Winter Collection Launch, Shared Ground
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 23, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Inflation is a short-term concern, but economists feel it is already moving in the right direction (even if we don’t feel it yet) - I've received several notices recently from manufacturers in the industry noting price increases. My (very) unscientific survey based on emails I've received show price increases ranging from about 2% to 6%. I'll assume that manufacturers that I have not received notices from are raising prices as well.
- It Doesn't Take a Rocket Scientist to Figure Out There is Great Demand for Lab Space - Lab space is one of the hottest areas of construction growth. The pandemic heightened the urgency to get new lab space online. Many pharma, lab and research facilities are "doubling down" on new spaces.'
- Furniture Command Center Streamlines Dealer Ops - Furniture Command Center is unique in that it works closely with its customers on rolling out new features. Software updates happen roughly once a month. About 80% of the features in a given month that are released are dealer driven. That is not by accident.
- 5 Key Trends at the Intersection of Health, Wellbeing and Design - Architects, interior designers, manufacturers and real estate professionals play a key role in healing that which ails us — from pandemic recovery to climate change to systemic racism.
- Natural Light Has the Biggest Impact On Workers' Wellbeing - All in all, natural light/vitamin D has a long list of benefits that should have more value placed upon them.
- theMART 2.0 - TheMART 2.0 renovations will feature significant improvements including tenant-only amenity lounges, conference rooms, and a fitness center, as well as streamlined entrances, an exclusive speakeasy bar in Marshall's Landing, and a revamped front yard and plaza for visitors.
- KI Pledges to Support Adult Literacy through Literacy Green Bay - Literacy Green Bay, Inc. Received a $25,000 Pledge from KI to Support it's Adult Literacy programs.
- Mortarr & Mercato Place Announce Partnership - Through the partnership, the two businesses are collaboratively addressing the needs, and the impact, of the commercial design industry.
- Ted Moudis Associates Promotes Six Team Members - The recent elevations comprise Douglas Wramage as Senior Associate, Team Leader; Omar Bustamante as Associate, Team Leader; Elaine Thompson and Sam Rank as Team Leaders; and Jenifer Colón and Jennifer Adams as Senior Design Directors.
- Kimball International Launches Sustainability Data Portal and Green Standards Program - Kimball International continues to make key investments in their products, data infrastructure, and manufacturing capabilities to support sustainability.
- Stephen Says - "Stop Complaining About Not Hiring Faster and Better, If You Are Not Willing To Pay More and Better" - by Stephen Viscusi - Outsmart your competitors by offering a sign-on bonus and covering all of your employees' medical expenses.
- UPFRONT: Allseating Announces New Partnership with Aligned Reps - Founded in 2019 by Principals Mark and Gavin McGregor, the veteran-owned company represents ten design-forward, high-quality furniture manufacturers within the Northern California and Northern Nevada territories.
- SPOTLIGHT: BuzziSpace Launches Acoustic Rug Collection, BuzziRugs - BuzziRugs is unique among the industry, featuring absorption qualities that dampen sound throughout an office or residential home. The rugs are crafted with longer thread loops for a softer touch and feel, and to allow smooth mobility with wheeled office chairs.
- AWARDED: Lesro Announces 2021 Rep of the Year - Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Spencer Heazlitt of Great Architectural Products Group has been awarded Lesro Industries' coveted Manufacturers Rep of the Year Award.
- PLACES - Bitkey Offices – Tokyo | The office design is intended to promote a constant awareness of Bitkey's services at every point within the space.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Duravit Announces Robert Downie as New North American President / SmithGroup Elevates Mark Adams to Lead Workplace Practice / KAI Design Hires Scott Clark, Assoc. AIA, as Senior Architectural Designer in St. Louis Office / Design Museum Everywhere Calls for Submissions / LX Hausys America Announces New Website to Improve User Experience / Solomon Coyle Now Accepting Registrations for Spring Project Management Training / Benhar Office Interiors Selects an Executive Vice President
- FIRST LOOKS - DuraCare Seating Introduces New 3D Thermolaminate Table Tops / Swinging into Spring with Loll Design
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-February, 2022
- ROB KIRKBRIDE: WE HAVE LITERALLY BECOME THE GREAT UNWASHED - Many people have let themselves go during the pandemic.
- BRIAN ZUERCHER: DON'T DO TECH FOR TECH'S SAKE: USE A DECISION MATRIX - The meta culture of tech can often make us feel overwhelmed because we need to use tech in every aspect of our lives and business. Without a framework to assess the application and role of tech we can become paralyzed or make irrational decisions.
- JIM HEILBORN: INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY BEYOND THE OFFICE - A warehouse management system (WMS) is a software solution. It's primary function is to streamline and unify the tasks and processes associated with operating a warehouse and its associated services.
- JUSTIN LOEBER: DEALER TECHNOLOGY PLAYBOOK - Use technology to operationalize and automate your core business.
- STEFANIE INCE: HEALTH, WELLBEING, AND AN EMPLOYEE FOCUSED APPROACH — THE NEW FOOSBALL TABLE AT WORK? - Employees are tired of the current dynamic with employers.
- GEORGE LUCAS PFEIFFER: POWERED BY TECHNOLOGY: THE MODERN DEALER IS DIGITAL - 80% of leaders have accelerated the implementation of new technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic. As experts in physical space, furniture dealers have a unique opportunity to help clients and industry stakeholders navigate the new opportunities (and challenges) brought about by this modern tech surge.
- PIVOT INTERIORS WELCOMES KNOLL TO EXISTING WORKPLACE PRODUCT PORTFOLIO - As an industry leader with almost 50 years' experience, Pivot is already known for their excellence in managing every detail of the creative design process.
- 'JUST BE HONEST WITH US' RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN DEALERS AND MANUFACTURERS STRAINED BY LOGISTICAL DELAYS - Sourcing is something dealers have little control over, but feel the heat from customers when products don't arrive on time. Yet with a little work — and a whole lot of communication — it doesn't have to be a disaster, said Mike Spencer, director of strategic sourcing at One Workplace. Lead times that might have increased by 10% or 20% are now stretching to 50% longer. Customers are getting impatient.
- STAYING OPEN AND RELEVANT — 360 OFFICE SOLUTIONS DEFIES LOCATION AND PANDEMIC CHALLENGES TO BECOME A POWERHOUSE DEALERSHIP IN THE NORTHERN ROCKIES - Billings, Montana may not be known as a hot hub for office products and design, but the city is the trade and distribution hub for Montana, Northern Wyoming, and western portions of North Dakota and South Dakota. It's also the largest retail destination for much of the same area. For 360 Office Solutions, the location can be an advantage or a challenge on any given day. With core vendors like HON, Allsteel, Gunlocke, HBF, and Kimball, and a combination of affordable products and luxury items, 360 has cornered the contract furniture market for 500 miles around.
- HENRICKSEN ACQUIRES SYNERGY BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS; ADDS TO FOOTPRINT IN TENNESSEE - The acquisition is another in an avalanche of dealer consolidation moves in recent weeks. Office furniture dealers across the country are combining, switching alliances and getting bigger through acquisitions.
- TANGRAM PROMOTES AMBER JONES TO VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES - Within her tenure, Tangram has become the largest Steelcase Education dealer in the nation and expanded the company's overall reach to now include regional headquarters in Dallas. Jones' focus as vice president of Sales - Dallas, will be expanding the company's market position, managing and developing all sales staff, spearheading client opportunities and ensuring a first-class client experience.
- KIMBALL INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES SECOND SEASON OF THE ALTERNATIVE DESIGN PODCAST - Each episode is created to engage designers, architects, creatives, and design enthusiasts. With deep industry knowledge and expertise, Kimball International employees and guests offer unique guidance, inspiration, innovation, and motivation to listeners.
- CUSTER INC. REINVIGORATES SALES AND DESIGN TEAM WITH NEW HIRES IN SENIOR LEADERSHIP FOR A FRESH PERSPECTIVE - Custer looked both outside of the furniture industry as well as to top past Custer talent to join and rejoin the team to expand new business development efforts. The hires are tasked to lead their teams as the organization takes a creative approach to design and creativity, providing second-to-none service to customers and finding new opportunities to grow the markets they serve.
Business of Furniture - February 16, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Geography Defines How You View Trends - What's lost in these trend stories, most emerging from media based on the East or West Coast, is that for the vast majority of the country, the trends don't apply. The United States is a vast country and it is foolish to try and pin a trend on the entire nation when it might only be happening where the reporter or researcher happens to live.
- CAMINUS Brings 3D Printed Metal to Industry - The technology is the brainchild of Founder and CEO Jack Zhang. He spent five years researching and perfecting the development of the new 3D printing method. CAMINUS materials meet standards for scratch resistance, mildew resistance, fire code, anti-bacterial, rusting, hardness and energy efficiency.
- Five Notes on the Future of Design - We believe that socially conscious designers living in unprecedented times have the opportunity (as they have already shown) to find ways to use their skills, creativity, sensibilities, empathy, solidarity, and consciousness for a more just future: to fight further alienation, listen to the unheard, display class solidarity, denounce and address systemic racial and gender oppression, and think about the possibility of making better worlds together.
- Sid Meadows: Are You Listening? - Social listening gives you a good sense of what's happening in your industry, including data that you can use to make adjustments and changes to your content strategy or respond actively (and meaningfully) to your audience.
- As Flooring Companies Push Climate Efforts, Others Outside the Industry Struggle to Keep Pace - Through eco-design, Tarkett teams are selecting and using high-quality materials with a low carbon footprint. This approach, based on Cradle to Cradle principles, diminishes the need for virgin raw materials while reducing the company's carbon footprint.
- AIS Launches Chatham Cove Work Lounge – a Private, Yet Accessible Space to Support Today's Hybrid Workers - As an alternative to workstations or small meeting rooms, Chatham Cove Work Lounge offers flexibility and economic benefits to organizations supporting new hybrid work strategies.
- MillerKnoll Appoints Senior Digital Retail Executive to Lead Global Contract and Retail eCommerce Business - John Stratford Joins MillerKnoll as Vice President of Global eCommerce.
- DIRTT Announces Cornerstone Partnership with AIA - As an AIA Cornerstone Partner, DIRTT will advocate for the integration and adoption of industrialized construction as part of design conversations to create workplaces focused on flexibility and adaptive functionality.
- Unika Vaev Introduces the Cozy Collection - Unika Vaev's Design Director, Courtney Brooks said, "This collection effortlessly blurs the lines of design between Residential, Hospitality, and Contract market segments, to create a refreshingly modern aesthetic."
- Stephen Says - "Elevate Your Career Brand by Perfecting Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile" - by Stephen Viscusi - HR managers and hiring managers tell me those generic resumes are too broad and do not guide them to the specific skills, talents or experience that relate to the position they are trying to fill.
- UPFRONT: COE Distributing Honored with NAW's Distributors Deliver Award - COE Distributing is a proud recipient of a new award from the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors recognizing charitable efforts and service to community. COE accepted the NAW's inaugural Distributors Deliver Award at NAW's 2022 Executive Summit in Washington, D.C.
- SPOTLIGHT: The Kitsy Seating Collection by Encore - Colorful, spirited and full of fun, the Kitsy collection by Encore delivers a refreshing take on multipurpose seating with stackable, swivel and mobile options in a spectrum of material and finish selections.
- ELECTED: BIFMA Announces Election of New Member to Board of Directors - Terry Cassaday, founder and CEO of ergoCentric Inc, was elected to the BIFMA board of directors at the January meeting.
- PLACES - LinkedIn Offices – Shanghai | The design of LinkedIn's office blends together important local elements of Shanghai with the global brand identity and culture of the online service company giant to give a user-centric experience for its participants.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Jennifer Hester Joins Hirsh Industries / Global Furniture Group, USA Appoints Director of Healthcare / CalPlant Announces New Chief Executive Officer / Global Furniture Group, USA Adds to its Growing Healthcare Team / Steven Sorrell of Sorrell Design Joins GTM Architects as VP, Commercial Interiors / Perkins Eastman Merges with BLT Architects / Momentum Builds for NeoCon 2022 as Registration Officially Opens / Benhar Office Interiors Selects Executive Vice President / Landscape Forms Celebrates Most Annual Product Design Awards in 2021
- FIRST LOOKS - Versteel Introduces Kompis: Charismatic and Talented / KFI Studios Introduces Rang Table / Hook Up Table Series Launches / Luxxbox Launches Hemii Acoustic Pendant / Armstrong Flooring Introduces New Heterogeneous Sheet Products / Interface Expands Resilient Flooring Portfolio With First Rigid Core Collection, Even Path
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 9, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Manufacturing Takes a Back Seat to Design in Our Industry, but it Shouldn't - We talk a lot in this industry about design, designers, space and where our products end up after they are sold and how they are used. We don't spend nearly enough time talking about manufacturing — how we can do it better and more efficiently.
- Virtual Reality Is Changing the Interior Design Industry - "What I'm seeing today is virtual reality technology intercede to push us to a level of sophisticated collaboration we've never experienced before. I believe it's going to revolutionize this industry."
- Felt Right Moves into Commercial with its Customizable Sound Dampening Installations - The company's commercial team provides design support for on-the-fly customization, real-time estimates, and simple installation guides. For Talley Goodson, it's just as important for clients to have the best experience as it is to have the best quality product.
- Bending the Rules of Design - Designers are tasked these days with sourcing and specifying products that meet their specific firm's standards. It might be supporting human health or supporting social health and equity, ecosystem health, or client health.
- Allsteel Announces Expansion and Initiatives for 2022 - In Q1, 2023, Allsteel will be relocating from its showroom space in the Merchandise Mart and moving into a new 24,000-square-foot showroom in Chicago's Fulton Market district — one of the largest growing markets for Allsteel and the HNI family of brands.
- Herman Miller Revives Nelson Cane Bench from Historical Archives Seventy Years Later - The Cane Bench serves as an important compliment and contrast to the iconic Nelson Platform Bench.
- Nemo Tile + Stone Names Matthew Coburger New Director of Purchasing - Coburger has 12 years of hands-on experience in the tile industry, during which he has demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to modernizing brand messaging and marketing strategy for the industry's largest players.
- Kimball Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results - Strong Demand Drove 11% Revenue Growth; Revenue from Workplace and Health Up 18%. Order Rates were Up 28%, and Up 35% for Workplace and Health End Markets.
- B+H Welcomes New Director of Interior Design - Foussias brings over 20 years of experience across the commercial, mixed-use, hospitality, residential, and retail sectors, and he has led innovative and award-winning projects for the world's most recognized brands.
- Western Specialty Contractors Hires Jason Paoli as Regional Business Development Manager - In his new position, Paoli is responsible for maintaining existing client relationships and identifying and developing new clients throughout the Chicago region.
- KAI Design Hires Senior Project Architect in Texas Office - Hoffmann has more than 35 years of experience in design, production and construction administration.
- Stephen Says - "Tired of Saying Sorry When You're Not? Me Too!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Join the club. Almost every person I know seems to be a member of the "I'm sorry" society. We tend to over apologize to one another as a conversation starter or filler when we don't know what to say. Why?
- UPFRONT: National Office Market Sees Occupancy in Positive Territory for First Time Since Q2 2020 - Of the 51 office markets tracked, 30% managed positive net absorption for full-year 2021, led by Las Vegas; Oklahoma City; Austin, Texas; and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Also encouraging, 80% of tracked markets experienced net absorption above their quarterly average for the past year.
- SPOTLIGHT: Leland Furniture Launches Gemma, a Collection of Natural Versatility - Created by Altherr Desile Park for Leland, the Gemma Collection stands out with personable elegance and optimistic flair. Featuring a system of three veneers – oak, walnut, and colored birch – along with two base-types, the Gemma Chair has a soft, gentle geometry and crafted details emerging in every edge and surface.
- FEATURED EVENT: Office Furniture Recyclers Conference Feb 14th-18th - Office Furniture Recyclers will be holding its annual event in Orlando, Florida Feb. 14-18. Featured guest speakers are from Gensler, Doris Research, Great Places and Spaces and Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. There will also be an Exhibit Space with 25 vendors.
- PLACES - Moët Hennessy Offices – Paris | The space for "productive work" becomes a "place to live", "a place of empathy", promoting personal growth, confidence, and sharing.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - The smartBOX Company Announces New Representatives / Steelcase Named One of the World's Most Admired Companies / Mark Goodman Receives Wallcovering Industry's Highest Honor / Canadian Company Launches Virtual Showrooms for Global Furniture Industry to Meet Needs of Hybrid Workforce
- FIRST LOOKS - De Vorm Introduces Twist, New Series of PET Felt Stools for Flexible Seating Twist Stack Stool / Interface Introduces Granite Mountain by David Oakey / New from Encore: Espo Designed by Henner Jahns of Gecco Vision
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 2, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: As WFM Shifts from Safety Issue to Management Issue, Expect More Companies to Return to the Office - Nearly two years ago, in a giant work from home experiment that no one wanted to participate in, workers were forced to leave their offices and try remote work. Initial research that measured productivity and worker happiness showed that work from home, well, worked. Employees liked the freedom. Companies liked the cost reduction.
- SpecialT: From Humble Beginnings to Helping More People - The story of Special-T's world-class manufacturing facility was born from humble beginnings in Bulgaria, shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. Special-T has always worked hard to vertically integrate as much of their manufacturing capabilities as possible to meet their customers' needs while retaining control of their costs, especially in times like these.
- Real Estate Companies Outline 2022 Expectations During Allsteel Webinar - The ESG (environment, sustainability and governance) trend is growing in commercial real estate — issues such as cars and emissions, the use of sustainable materials, energy efficiency and wellness enhancements are all becoming more important to occupiers and owners of office buildings.
- Designing for Mindfulness — Maybe It's Not So Otherworldly Afterall - Mindfulness is creating a mind-body connection. A key component about that is trying to meet the present with open arms — not judging it, not saying, "I want this to happen," or saying, "I can't believe this is happening."
- Responding to Supply Chain Disruption – Some Considerations - Whenever there is a challenge, there is also an opportunity to face it, to demonstrate and develop our will and determination.
- The War On Talent: 3 Ways the Design Industry Can Seize this Moment and Champion Working Parents - Working parents are the most productive people in the whole world. They are able to juggle so much and have so much passion about home and careers. Employers don't have to doubt that we will get the job done, no matter what happens.
- Custer Reinvigorates Sales and Design Team With New Hires in Senior Leadership for a Fresh Perspective - "We are excited to enter this new phase of our family business' history with this top talent at the helm of sales and design. Geoff, Jason, and Jody are the embodiment of Custer core values and are driven to take our business to new, exciting places in 2022 and beyond," said Mark Custer, chief revenue officer.
- RightAngle Combines Teacher's Desk with Height Adjustable Lectern - The Hooligan Teacher's Desk can help improve learning and engagement in the classroom.
- Perkins & Will Designs BlackRock Office in Atlanta - Photo tour.
- BIFMA Compliant: Next-Level Confidence in Furniture Specification & Procurement - ANSI/BIFMA standards are go-to references when evaluating the safety and durability of furniture products during specification and procurement.
- Stephen Says - "Take That Interview, Even When You Are Not Looking!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Take it from me, that manager you are meeting with will most likely move to another job in three years or less. So if you make a connection with her now, if you graciously turn down a job offer, you will have made a great connection that may help you in the future.
- UPFRONT: ACTUAL 2021-Q4 BOOKINGS UP 7.3% — BETTER THAN THE 4.4% EXPECTED - This quarter's Solomon Coyle Market Outlook Report revealed many continued positive trends. In addition to Actual Bookings being up by a larger percentage than expected, Anticipated Bookings growth for Q1 and Q2 continue a positive trend into mid-2022.
- SPOTLIGHT: Global Introduces Venture - Whether you're getting together for a quick chat, to catch up on a project or in need of some heads down time, Venture banquettes are up to the task.
- AWARDED: Allseating's Engadin Wins 2021 GOOD DESIGN Award - Engadin is a proprietary textile collection designed by Milan-born architect and designer, and President of EFM Design, Emanuela Frattini Magnusson. The collection features three patterns, Dots, Grid, and Bauhaus, which are all based on geometric shapes.
- PLACES - Goodman Offices – Madrid | The space is divided into two work areas, one for exclusively private use and a work area (meeting rooms) where visitors are received. These two spaces are joined by the Open Space which is a large open, and flexible space where all kinds of activities are combined. This space serves as a reception, a leisure room, a dining room, for spontaneous meeting rooms.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Empire Office Adds to Local Atlanta Sales Team / Page & Turnbull Announces Elects New Leader and Fourth Office / EDspaces 2022 Call for Presentations Now Open / Tangram Promotes Amber Jones to Vice-President of Sales in Dallas Fort-Worth Office / SchenkelShultz Architecture Expands its Team with Addition of Interior Designer Gennifer Hunt / Chicago's Perkins&Will Makes Two Leadership Moves / Schréder and Landscape Forms Announce Partnership for the United States and Canadian Markets / The Architecture & Design Film Festival Announces New Dates for ADFF:DC
- FIRST LOOKS - KFI Studios Introduces Alden Side Table / Relaunch from Carl Hansen & Son / New Luminous Handrail from OLEV / Maharam: Spindle and Washi by Hella Jongerius
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 26, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Salone vs. NeoCon? Milan Show Moved to June, Ends Day Before NeoCon Begins - We are longing for a proper Salone too, but definitely not when it butts up to NeoCon.
- BIFMA Leadership Conference Focused on 'Navigating Next' - No stranger to the BIFMA 360° stage, an economic forecast was presented by Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence. Problems like the supply chain, the Great Resignation and, of course, COVID have executives worried. Kuehl was cautiously optimistic about the coming year, though a few headwinds remain.
- Hope Takes Lead over Frustration as Supply Chain Disruptions Linger - The pandemic triggered an extremely high demand for outdoor goods as consumer demand increased for outdoor spaces in the commercial markets.
- Creative Office Pavilion and Office Resources Merge, Creating Largest MillerKnoll Powerhouse in Northeast - Creative Office Resources combined workforce exceeds 440 employees, has 12 locations, 2 warehouses with offices in 7 states.
- Evolve Your Space with Tayco's Enhanced Switch Panel System - Switch continues to be the ideal answer to meet the unique and evolving needs of today's modern office.
- DIRTT Announces CEO Transition - DIRTT announced the departure of Kevin O'Meara as the Company's CEO and as a director. Todd Lillibridge, the Board Chair, has been appointed Interim CEO, and will serve until his replacement is named.
- 3form Dips into California Coastline for 2022 Color Collection - The 2022 Color Collection's desaturated tones are also designed to reflect their durable material platforms' longevity. The Color Collection is specifiable as partitions, wall accents, reception desk wraps, ceiling features and more.
- SupplySource Announces Partnership with Haworth - SupplySource, the premier office furniture dealership in Central PA, which previously had an exclusive contract with Herman Miller, has partnered with Haworth as a new dealer.
- Arper Appoints New CEO, Roberto Monti - The Swedish manager, a dynamic leader with a multicultural and international background, arrives in Arper after a consolidated experience in the world of furniture and retail, gained through a successful professional experience in IKEA.
- AIS Signs AARP Pledge Committing to Age-Diverse Workforce - The AARP Pledge is an initiative by the organization that encourages employers to show that they are committed to an age-diverse workforce. AIS President Nick Haritos believes in the power of diversity.
- Mannington Commercial Introduces New Director of Sustainability - Totten will work with industry partners on sustainability initiatives, product research and design, and sales and marketing by facilitating transformative thinking to shape the built environment and its impact on people and planet.
- Stephen Says - "Is Your Email Address Costing You a Job?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Before we get into the fun and games, let me just point out why the email address on resumes is so important. When an employer chooses to contact a candidate, chances are they will reach out by email, at least in the first instance.
- UPFRONT: Independent Rep Groups Join Forces to Thank Factory Workers at HALCON Who Support Them - Rep groups NJM in New York City and Nolan Brands in the greater Washington, D.C. market, wanted to say "thank you" to the people at HALCON who have been working so hard through COVID to continue producing unprecedented amounts of what they refer to as the best wood office furniture available anywhere.
- SPOTLIGHT: 9to5 Seating Announces Partnership with One Tree Planted - "We've seen the devastating impact of forest fires too often in our home state of California, which is why it was so important to us to partner with One Tree Planted," said Dara Mir, President and CEO of 9to5 Seating.
- AWARDED: Arden Studio's Mobl️ and Haven️ Win 2021 GOOD DESIGN Award - With Mobl and Haven, Arden Studio evolves what's possible with the medium of glass, offering products that create elegant and safer spaces in shared settings and workplaces.
- PLACES - M&G Stationery Offices – Shanghai, China | M&G Stationery, as one of the world's giant stationery manufacturers, is characterized by its role as a comprehensive stationery supplier with an integration of creative value and service advantage, showing its vision as building a world-class stationery brand.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - The smartBOX Company Announces New Representatives / Keast & Hood Announces Leadership Transition / KAI Design Hires Charles Hoffmann, AIA as Senior Project Architect in Texas Office / AIS Welcomes New Independent Representative Cooper Contract to the Company's Nationwide Network / LRS Architects Continues Growth, Promotes Amalia Mohr to Principal / FK Architecture's Architect Kelly Dawson Appointed as AIA Orlando Director At Large for the 2022 Term / Andreu World opens new showroom in Kansas City / Architecture Firm, The Turett Collaborative, Looks to Future Growth with Addition of Two New Partners / Arcadia + Encore Launch CET Extension / Architecture Firms End 2021 on a Strong Note
- FIRST LOOKS - Grand Rapids Chair Co. Introduces Rita: Its First Indoor/Outdoor Lounge Seat / Springboard's GLOWI Brings Hi-Tech Glass to Working Surfaces / Launching from Flos: Parentesi 50
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 19, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Working from Home is the (Real) New Smoking - Working from home without the right ergonomic equipment is a pain in the neck. No, I mean literally a pain in the neck for many workers.
- A Crown Jewel in the Rockies — Billings Public Library Sets the Bar High - With a $100,000 budget, the library, purchased seating and tables that supported the various spaces in the building. First considered was flexibility — chairs that could be moved around or put together, and fun pieces for the teen and children's sections.
- 10 Bold Predictions for the Interiors Industry in 2022 - We at ThinkLab can't help but get excited about the innovations that will emerge in the interiors industry in 2022. After all, necessity is the mother of invention.
- Software, Technology Might Not Help You Sell More Furniture, but it can Help in Return to Office - Beyond vaccine tracking and compliance tooling, administrators use the OfficeTogether platform to manage desk and meeting room reservations, track daily health check responses, and analyze real-time office attendance and space usage data. Employees rely on the platform to collaborate with their hybrid and remote-first teammates using a suite of social tools built with a dispersed workforce in mind.
- Allsteel's New Manhattan Showroom Shines - The space has a NYC vibe, courtesy of a large, bright mural by Kamille Ejerta, otherwise known by her street name, "OGMillie." OGMillie is a New York-based, visually impaired street-pop artist with a vintage flair.
- Former Knoll Chief Cogan Named Chairman of The Rug Company Board - Cogan is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Harvard College where he majored in Social Studies. He currently serves as director of the American Woodmark Corporation and Sonneman as well as serves on the External Advisory Board of the Master in Design Engineering Program at Harvard University.
- COE Awards Institutional Associates for Top Sales Volume for Fourth Straight Year; Gebhardt Eecognized for Overall Services - Since 2018, Atlanta-headquartered company has won Manufacturers Rep Group of the Year by Pennsylvania office furniture powerhouse as IAI's CEO takes home commemorative service award.
- DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS Announces DIFFA by Design - Since the idea for DIFFA BY DESIGN originated over two years ago, the world has changed and so has DIFFA. Many people are still struggling to live with HIV/AIDS and each day more continue to face additional challenges related to homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health.
- KAI Engineering Hires H. John Vetter II, PE as National Electrical Engineering Subject Matter Expert - Vetter has more than 32 years of combined experience in engineering and management. In this new role at KAI, Vetter will provide company-wide technical expertise in the electrical engineering discipline and act in the lead electrical engineering role on high-profile projects.
- Stephen Says - "Haworth Flips a Leading MillerKnoll Dealer — and They Will Keep it Up!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I say, respect the contract dealers that built your business. Bianchi understands this and the Haworth philosophy is rewarding them in spades by giving them the avenue to continue to flip dealers.
- UPFRONT: Framery Investing Heavily in Digital Services - Framery welcomes Arto Vahvanen as the new Head of Digital Offerings & Services and a member of the Management Team from the 3rd of January onwards. Vahvanen's position marks the launch of a new department for Framery: Digital Offerings and Services.
- SPOTLIGHT: Kirei Launches EchoTile Sync, a Modular Acoustic Tile System - "A room is a place to live, to play, to not just work but to create," said John Stein, president of Kirei. "EchoTile Sync adds a classic wall tile to the mix to make any room a space to be remembered. Its modularity allows for designers to create anything from quiet corners to whimsical walls. We wanted EchoTile Sync to pair with EchoTile Racetrack so designers can have truly unlimited potential with their designs."
- AWARDED: HAT Collective Wins GOOD DESIGN 2021 Award - Manufactured at HAT Collective's Danish design and manufacturing facility, the height-adjustable, fully customizable collection promotes an active work environment with an unmistakable European flare. The Elle Collection allows people to work their way — whether in the office or at home, sitting or standing, together or at a distance.
- PLACES - The Prospect Coworking Offices – Saint Petersburg, Russia | The Prospect was conceived as a space for work and meetings with interior design unusual for the office spaces in combination with modern technical equipment. 280 square meters include five offices, two openspace rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, common areas and a meeting room for 8-10 people.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - //3877 Welcomes New Interior Designer / NeoCon Extends Call for 2022 Programming / Amerlux Selects New Rep for New England Market / IIDA Announces LSD Interior Design as Competition Winner / Architecture and Design Firm FCA Reveals New Brand Identity
- FIRST LOOKS - Nemo Tile + Stone Introduces Opus 2.0
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-January, 2022
- ROB KIRKBRIDE: DEALERS CHANGING ALIGNMENT, MAKING ACQUISITIONS AND ADDING GEOGRAPHY AT HEAD SPINNING PACE - The pace at which it is taking place is head-spinning. It is nearly impossible to list all the changes taking place, but it is clear that dealers are either going all in with MillerKnoll or all out. One of the cases of going all out is outlined in today's Midpoint.
- BRIAN ZUERCHER: CLEAR UP CLIENT CONFUSION AND WIN BIG - You are probably fatigued with the amount of industry and pop culture articles talking about data-driven everything, lacking to put any real world examples of how it's used. I know we (our businesses) are guilty of beating that drum without connecting it to practical experience.
- STEFANIE INCE: LEADING WELL IN 2022 - A new year signifies a fresh start; a way to begin doing things differently. The stress and burnout experienced over the last two years is more pronounced than ever before, causing many to question their priorities — at home and at work.
- NATASHA BOWMAN: MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE: FOCUSING ON WHAT MATTERS MOST - You are a human, not a supercomputer without emotions, and therefore you are prone to challenges in life. Few are more pressing than suffering with a mental health issue. It's hard to have these internal struggles that impact everything we do, including work. It's easy to be fearful to let others know what is happening.
- GEORGE LUCAS PFEIFFER: THE TOP EIGHT TRENDS FOR WORKSPACES IN 2022 - Wellbeing at work is not a new trend. For over a decade the commercial interiors world has been promoting physical wellness through ergonomic solutions, floorplate designs that encourage movement, and health-conscious spaces. Yet to be 'well' means more than being physically well. It includes emotional, financial, and mental wellbeing.
- CRYSTAL BALL 2022: AGILITY IS 100% NECESSARY - Instead of profiling a dealer this month, Midpoint decided to take a peek at the crystal ball and see what the future might hold for the office furniture dealers. Here is a conversation in Q&A form with George Lucas Pfeiffer, chief marketing officer at BOS Holdings.
- BUSINESS INTERIORS OF IDAHO MERGES WITH FREEFORM - Throughout their histories, BII and Freeform have provided customers solutions across the spectrum of furnishings, space planning, and interior design. BII and Freeform work with several of the region's largest and most respected employers to support their growth and provide informed, functional, and comfortable environments.
- INTRODUCING: I CARE SPOTLIGHT - Midpoint is excited to introduce I Care Spotlight; a new monthly feature dedicated to highlighting industry organizations and initiatives that are giving back, empowering, and improving the lives of people in our communities and those we serve.
- DUPLER OFFICE AND RJE MERGE - After some changes in the office furniture industry, RJE decided to align itself to manufacturer Allsteel, which opened up the partnership opportunity with fellow distributor Dupler.
- GOODMANS INTERIOR STRUCTURES ACQUIRES ALBUQUERQUE-BASED WORKSPACE DYNAMICS - Talks between the two companies started in fall 2021 and closed earlier this month, said Goodmans' general manager Stuart Hamilton. A catalyst for the deal, Hamilton said, was Herman Miller Inc.'s acquisition of Knoll Inc. last summer. The $1.8 billion deal had a trickle-down effect locally to Goodmans.
- SYSTEMS SOURCE BECOMES LATEST DEALER TO MOVE TO NEW MANUFACTURER ALIGNMENT FOLLOWING MILLERKNOLL MERGER - "This once-in-a-generation realignment of manufacturer and distribution will provide our clients with exciting new design choices, streamlined interior planning and purchasing. We know our clients and design partners will benefit tremendously from our new partnership. It's an exciting time to be in the commercial interiors industry and we look forward to introducing even better solutions for our customers and design partners in the coming months and years."
Business of Furniture - January 12, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: Industry can Learn from CES; Some Personal Changes for Me - The most important show that isn't our industry's show is happening right now in Las Vegas. But what happens in Vegas, certainly doesn't stay in Vegas when it comes to the massive Consumer Electronic Show.
- Look Through the Glass and Into the Future, or Don't — Gauzy Offers the Latest in Smart Glass Options - Gauzy launched in 2009 as a smart glass hardware manufacturer, and eventually transitioned from making just the power for smart glass to manufacturing the whole system.
- Allseating Celebrates its 40th Anniversary - Like many office furniture makers, Allseating was built from the ground up through hard work and determination. In the early 1980s, Gary Neil's father, Bill, owned a rep group that was selling chairs. Gary Neil worked there as well and the two saw a need for seating products at a lower price point that would still deliver quickly.
- Systems Source Selects Haworth as Partner to Deliver Innovative New Design and Customer-Driven Technology - Systems Source is a leading full-service contract interiors firm headquartered on the West Coast, serving customers throughout North America with quality furniture, demountable wall systems, flooring, accessories, installation, move, and asset management services.
- HNI Corporation Celebrates 75th Anniversary - What began as an idea to launch a manufacturing enterprise to employ America's veterans returning from World War II, the Home-O-Nize Co. was founded and later became HON Industries and today the company is known as HNI Corporation.
- Understanding MillerKnoll's Newly Added Risk Factors - In July, the business completed the purchase of Knoll. During the quarter, MillerKnoll stated that the integration of the Knoll purchase is on track, with cost savings of $100 million expected within two years of closure and $120 million by the end of year three.
- OfficeWorks Becomes Representative of Knoll in Central Indiana - This partnership brings together the design heritages of Herman Miller, Knoll, and their 19 brands under one roof -- for the first time in this market.
- Landscape Forms Announces the Promotion of Three New Department Directors - Landscape Forms announced the promotions of Natalie Biddle, Andrea Marietta, and Evan Presler to Directors within their respective departments.
- IOPFDA Announces 2022 Scholarship Applications - Created more than 50 years ago, the IOPFDA Scholarship Fund has now awarded more than $2.7 million in scholarships to deserving families of office products and office furniture dealers and is supported entirely through individual and member contributions.
- Tarkett North America Turns to Adleta for South-Central Distribution - Adleta will be inventorying Tarkett LVT, commercial and residential vinyl sheet, rubber tile, standard and premium wall base, finishing accessories, and more, helping them serve customers in all key segments, including education, workplace, healthcare, multi-Family and single-family residential.
- Yellowbox Collective Opens in Delaware Valley - YBC is a personalized and sophisticated Independent Manufacturer's Rep group focused on bringing Curated & International Brands to the Delaware Valley & Mid-Atlantic Contract Furnishings marketplace.
- Ultrafabrics Hires Theo Haag and Jennifer Hendren - Theo has spent his entire career immersed in the European market and brings to Ultrafabrics a depth of knowledge in the textile space.
- Stephen Says - "HR Director Asks: Why Does it Take Us So Long to Make a Hire?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Depending on the size of your company, it may be the VP of sales or local managers who need to step up. Field sales managers should be having lunch with candidates all the time, even when they do not have openings in their departments.
- UPFRONT: BOS Tampa Expands with the Addition of Michael Furnari - Furnari will be the latest addition to BOS Tampa's expanding sales team and will contribute to creating a world class sales organization for BOS on the west coast of Florida.
- SPOTLIGHT: New Digital Print Fabric, Sta-Kleen Silicone - The collection will initially consist of seven digitally printed fabrics that have been designed for the healthcare, hospitality, contract, and other commercial markets.
- AWARDED: Arcadia's Scenery Modular Collection Wins 2021 GOOD DESIGN Award - Scenery Modular itself is a collection designed to allow multiple and varied interactions at once. The interior seating area offers spacious comfort for collaboration and casual conversation while a ledge around the exterior perimeter serves as a work surface or perching rest.
- PLACES - BMG Bank Offices – São Paulo, Brazil | The new office of BMG Bank in São Paulo symbolizes a moment of innovation and behavioral transformations at the firm, that is now more digital, inclusive, and has a refreshed identity.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Bouty Appoints Dany Gosselin to Vice President of Operations / KI Attains GREEN MASTER LEVEL Status / Landscape Forms to Host Live Virtual Roundtable: Designing for Holistic Sustainability
- FIRST LOOKS - Stylex Reveals Three New Future-Proof Seating Collections / Natural Light is Most Desired
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 5, 2022
- KIRKBRIDE: How the Industry Can Capitalize on Meeting Madness - Can we have a quick meeting to talk about, well, meetings? It doesn’t take a study to realize we have too many formal meetings. But I’m going to cite a few to show that in the wake of COVID, the meeting problem is getting worse, not better.
- Haworth Joins Forces with Mikomax, One of Europe’s Leading Manufacturers for Acoustic Pods - "I am happy and proud that the company I have created from scratch and have been running for more than 30 years is gaining such a strong business partner. We look forward to continuing to manage the company also in the future and drive our success story even further."
- Officeworks Announces Partnership with IMA Corporate Interiors and Expansion to Atlanta - Officeworks has grown to be Teknion's largest dealer in the U.S., with existing offices in Boston, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C.
- MillerKnoll Reports $1 Billion in Second Quarter Net Sales - Strong demand drove quarterly orders of $1.2 billion; an increase of 83.9% over the prior year, up 26.4% organically. Integration of the Knoll acquisition is progressing as planned AND MillerKnoll remains confident IN delivering $100 million of run rate cost synergies within two years of the closing, and now expects $120 million by the end of year three.
- CIFF Continued in China Despite COVID; Online Event Attracts 775k Visitors - The first online edition of CIFF ended successfully on Dec. 14. The first fully digitalized edition, the 48th CIFF Shanghai, received a great deal of support from the 548 exhibitors who gathered online, attracting 775,043 visitors.
- Colberg Architecture Appoints Kelly Collini to Principal - Collini has completed extensive architecture and design projects for leading organizations, including SL Green, Lafayette 148, Archdiocese of New York, Young & Rubicam, Scotia Bank, Zolfo Cooper, Gensler New York Offices, The Ad Council, and Xandr, which was named Crain's New York Business' Coolest Retrofit in 2020.
- Introducing Mercato Place A New Curated Textile Sampling Platform - Thoroughbred Fulfillment, headquartered in Zeeland, Michigan, created Mercato Place. Founded in 1995, Thoroughbred Fulfillment is a provider of a broad range of marketing fulfillment services to companies throughout North America and the world.
- Designtex Moves into Bright Tribeca Headquarters - The move in/move out was so abrupt, some Designtex workers have yet to set foot in the headquarters (though that is changing as COVID restrictions relax in New York). On a recent visit to the space, some moving boxes were still unopened. As employees become more comfortable with using public transportation, the office will certainly fill up.
- Stephen Says - "Longtime Attendee Asks: Time to Move NeoCon from Chicago?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Chicago is not the friendliest city for business, hotel prices are high as well as the taxes on tourists. Las Vegas and Orlando are more welcoming.
- UPFRONT: Vincent G. Carter, FASID, NCIDQ Honored with Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award - Carter began his service with CIDA in 1996 as a site visitor and was promoted to a site visit team chair role. Following his service as visiting team chair, Carter was promoted to CIDA's Accreditation Commission and served from Jan. 1, 2004, through Dec. 31, 2009.
- SPOTLIGHT: PepperMint Display Cases from Peter Pepper - Peter Pepper's new PepperMint display case collection combines the warmth of wood and glass with the elegance of the circular, natural-anodized, aluminum profile.
- AWARDED: Nienkämper VOX LCS Table Recipient of the 2021 GOOD DESIGN Award - "It's always an honor to be recognized with a distinguished award such as the GOOD DESIGN," said company founder and designer Klaus Nienkämper.
- PLACES - Synopsys Offices – Ho Chi Minh City | HUYNCHI used a futuristic approach and specific color palette when designing the Synopsys offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The company enlisted Huynchi to create a new research and development center that addresses their first-class level in the most well-planned district of Ho Chi Minh City.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Indiana Furniture Names Kleiser as New Contracts & Sales Support Manager / Scott Huling Joins SP Richards as Director of Sales - Southeast / IIDA Names Winners of the 9th Annual Best of Asia Pacific Design Awards / Solomon Coyle YE2021 Financial Benchmarking Survey Launches Jan 10. / ASID and IIDA Responds to AIA Policy Statement Review
- FIRST LOOKS - eko Announces h@kr uber mobil / Room & Board Business Interiors Reveals Winter 2022 Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 22 & 29, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: The Case For and Against a Four-Day Work Week - As we head toward the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays and the four-day work weeks that result from the extra day off, it is worth taking a look at the increasingly popular call for a permanent four-day workweek. A few years ago, the idea of a four-day workweek would seem impossible, but the lingering COVID pandemic, employee burnout and work-from-home trends mean the idea is gaining some traction.
- Optimism and Confidence are Key Themes in 2022 Predictions from Industry Experts - After reaching out to companies for their 2022 predictions, the team here at Bellow Press was pleasantly surprised by the positive outlook and bright ideas their responses offered.
- The Power of Presence - The in-between moments in our lives will not be automatically productive and fertile, but they CAN be if we critically check our habits and deliberately seize the potential of these moments.
- theMART Continues to Add Value to Building, NeoCon with theMART 2.0 Upgrades - The building has already gone through a number of upgrades to the show floors, such as improvements to cellular phone service, carpet, lighting and finishes.
- Clear Office Becomes Reseat; Commitment to Get Used Furniture Back in Circulation Remains the Same - The company was founded by Brandi Susewicz, who has more than 20 years of experience at San Francisco Bay area office furniture dealerships, but like so many others, found her income battered by the pandemic.
- Steelcase CFO: Profits would have been 3x Higher Without Inflation, Supply Chain Issues - Orders grew 87% in the Other category driven by very strong growth across all regions in Asia Pacific, including more than 100% growth in India and China.
- Stephen Says - "Start the New Job Right Away! But What About the Bonus Owed Me?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Let's face it, dealers tend to get more upset and play more games with commissions than manufacturers. So if you're at a furniture dealer and going to another furniture dealer, my advice is to collect your dough before you go. If you're at a manufacturer, chances are you're going to get the money whether you're going to a competitor or not. But as the old saying goes, "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."
- UPFRONT: Office Environments & Services of Jacksonville Purchased by Atlanta based Office Images - Led by owner and President E. Zimmermann Boulos, OE&S has been a commercial furniture dealer in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida for more than six decades. "I have a lot of respect for Bryan Roberts, Jim Staiti and Office Images and believe our combined operations will mean even better days ahead for OE&S," Boulos said. He remains as president.
- Product Spotlight: Patcraft Introduces Deconstructed Form - Highlighting a unique approach to flooring design, the collections expose the product's primary backing to create pattern and color variation. Each new collection within the platform tells a different visual story and moves beyond traditional product design with thoughtful engineering. The design of Deconstructed Form explores textural structure through the use of shape.
- PLACES - Swire Properties Offices – Beijing | The design references its Beijing settings, reinterpreting traditional materials like bamboo and grey roof tiles into contemporary expressions. Diverse space formats maximize utilization while providing various work scenarios to meet a range of activities.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - AIS Earns LEVEL 3 BIFMA Certification for Seven of its Most Popular Products / JCJ Architecture Elevates Experienced and Well-rounded Leaders to New Roles / ADFF:DC Returns to the National Building Museum Jan 6-8, 2022
- FIRST LOOKS - Maharam Launches Spindle and Washi by Hella Jongerius
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-December, 2021
- JIM HEILBORN | INNOVATION WITH A SUSTAINABLE PURPOSE - Most dealers and manufacturers understand that today's office environment is continually in a state of flux.
- BRIAN ZUERCHER | 3 DATA-DRIVEN NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS TO DRIVE A RICHER CLIENT EXPERIENCE - As fast as the world has changed, it will continue to evolve.
- STEFANIE INCE | GIVING HEALTH, GETTING HEALTH - Start off 2022 by giving health — a gift that keeps on giving.
- JUSTIN LOEBER | DON'T CONFUSE INNOVATION WITH MODERNIZATION - Outside of the furniture industry, technology had for years been trending toward "APIs" and open architectures that easily connect systems.
- ALEXANDRA TSEFFOS | WORLD IS CHANGING, BUT COMMUNITY, KINDNESS, EMPATHY MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE - When COVID struck, most families around me panicked about the health, education and stability of their kids.
- GEORGE LUCAS PFEIFFER | ALIGNING PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL SPACES - By offering workspace-focused digital marketing solutions, dealers can complement client teams, differentiate themselves and provide strategic direction and innovative ideas throughout the entire project process.
- WHERE I'M WORKING — BLUESTONE LANE COFFEE - Bluestone Lane is an OK option for short work stints, especially in a city where finding free space can be tricky. It has the typical coffee shop vibe — cool, relaxing music, good, strong coffee and a mix of people chatting and working.
- DESIGNTEX MOVES INTO BRIGHT TRIBECA HEADQUARTERS - When Designtex, one of the leading companies in designing and manufacturing applied materials for the built environment, decided to move into new headquarters in New York, it needed a space that works hard and still acts as a blank slate for its fabrics — the star of the show.
- BRINGING ALL THE PUZZLE PIECES TO THE TABLE - Figure out how to circle an opportunity before it ever hits the street. Or if it does hit the street, make sure to have a complete package with your dealer's solutions. By working in a variety of different markets and sectors, Tangram simply has more opportunities. Jones gave an example of how this works for the company: Say Tangram is called in by a general contractor to talk about flooring for a large-scale project. The salesperson on the project obviously sees an additional need for walls and furniture.
- EMPIRE OFFICE ACQUIRES DEKALB OFFICE - DeKalb Office has provided commercial interior solutions since 1952 and is a leader in the healthcare and education vertical markets. As the sole Steelcase dealership in Atlanta and Birmingham, the company has worked with approximately half of the Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Atlanta.
- DESKMAKERS EXPANDS WEST COAST PRESENCE WITH LINKED REP FIRM AND KEY PROMOTION - Linked's curated portfolio of products helps its team create innovative interiors within the corporate, technology, education, hospitality, healthcare and government sectors.
- EMPIRE OFFICE ADDS EXPERIENCED NEW BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS - Amy Rosen, who was previously director of sales for Inscape's Walls division, joins Empire as vice president of architectural solutions.
- TANGRAM ANNOUNCES JON LEACH HAS JOINED AS DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN DALLAS FORT-WORTH OFFICE - Jon Leach's knowledge of the A&D community in the Dallas region coupled with his design education and long withstanding relationships in the industry make Jon a triple threat.
- OFFICE RESOURCES ACQUIRES ARENSON OFFICE FURNISHINGS - OR Principals Kevin Barbary and Paul Fraser are excited about the company's continued growth in New York and what the acquisition will mean for the New York marketplace. Arenson has a tremendous history and brand in the Tri-State area.
- OFFICE FURNITURE HEAVEN APPOINTS KEVIN MCCARTHY AS DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING - McCarthy has had a successful career working to identify new business opportunities, foster key relationships and increase business on a global scale.
- THE SMARTBOX COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW REPRESENTATIVES - The experience and expertise these rep firms bring to the smartBOX Company sales team will result in the addition of strong office furniture dealer partners.
- NEW REPRESENTATION - ALLOR GROUP / GROUPE LACASSE U.S. SALES TEAM - Allor Group is a Michigan-based independent manufacturer's representative organization with a showroom in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, showcasing some of the best manufacturers of contract furniture in the industry.
- REVIEWS | APPLE IPAD PRO 12.9" (5TH GENERATION), PENCIL, MAGIC KEYBOARD - With an iPad like this, who needs a laptop? After working on the iPad Pro with the 12.9-inch screen, the answer is simple. No one. This iPad is so good, so powerful that unless you are a movie editor or use the most powerful design programs or need scads of device-based storage, the iPad can replace any computer you can carry.
- REVIEWS | SEGWAY NINEBOT MAX G30LP - If you are like us and live in the city, you can't help but notice the abundance of electric, rechargeable scooters hitting the road. And if you live in a larger city, many of those scooters are rentals — an Uber-type experience where riders can grab a scooter, scan in with an app like Lime and go.
Business of Furniture - December 15, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: My Wait for Macaroni and Cheese May Soon be Over (and Your Wait for Furniture Parts too) - We are also facing inflation at a rate we haven’t seen in decades. Everything costs more than it did a few years ago. We should be in the doldrums, right? Yet just about everyone I speak to in the industry says it is strong right now. What gives?
- Mixing Photography, Film and Art, Steve Burns has Visually Documented the Industry for Decades - Burns was seven years old when he had his first darkroom, so suffice to say photography has always been a passion. But he started out as a graphic designer and founded a company with his brother which specialized in signage.
- 3 Ways to Thrive in the New Hybrid Work Era - As we close out 2021 and look toward 2022, we encourage you to deeply consider this hybrid era, and how we can shift our mindsets from "return to normal" to "return to better."
- Pantone Color of the Year Announced - By Creating a new color for the first time in the history of the Color of the Year educational color program, Pantone is reflecting the global innovation and transformation taking place.
- M.a.d. Furniture Design Plants North American Roots in Minneapolis - M.a.d. and its customer base are growing quickly across the world, and their new headquarters will help them expand even faster while they continue to offer high quality products and customer service.
- Kirei Launches EchoTile Racetrack — Modular Acoustic Tiles that Seamlessly Align On Any Wall - Racetrack provides designers with all the tools needed to quickly and easily specify unique design elements to build dynamic spaces.
- AIS Named to Inc. Magazine's 2021 Best in Business List, Awarded a Silver Medal - AIS took the concept of "buy local" to a corporate level with ReNew England and is spearheading a campaign to encourage regional companies to join forces and help New England recover from the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic.
- Stephen Says - "You Should Get To Know A Recruiter Before You Need One" - by Stephen Viscusi - Here is a tip: Recruiters are people, too. We want to do the right thing by matching a person to a position so we wind up with a happy client and a happy candidate. Don't waste our time.
- UPFRONT: Allsteel Announces Executive Team Expansion - Allsteel's new vice president of sales is Mallory Polito. With more than 15 years of leadership experience in sales, national accounts, product and architectural products, Polito brings a well-rounded understanding of the industry to her new role.
- Product Spotlight: Arper Introduces Kata by Altherr Désile Park - Arper's first solid wood lounge chair, Kata, is lightweight in form and designed with circular sustainability at its core. It takes inspiration from artisan-made wood and woven straw chairs using contemporary solutions in a graphic and warm expression.
- PLACES - China Everbright Bank Offices – Hong Kong | The approximately 42,000 sqft project spans across four floors comprising commercial banking, wealth management, a trading floor and client executive suites.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - HLW Expands Leadership Team / Anna Grace Young Awarded the 2021 John L. Spalding Scholarship / Samuelson Furniture's President Lawrence Chalfin Named NEWH's 2021 Icon of Industry / BuzziSpace Holds Special Charity Auction Spotlighting Hand-dyed BuzziCee and BuzziShade XXL / New Representation - ALLOR GROUP / Groupe Lacasse US Sales Team / Tom Brennan Recognized as 2021 David McCurrach Distinguished Service Award Winner / IIDA Foundation Announces 2021 John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship Recipients / Landscape Forms Named by Fortune and Great Place to Work as one of the 2021 Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production / NeoCon Opens Call for 2022 Programming
- FIRST LOOKS - Designtex Introduces Three Collections / HÅG Tion by Flokk is the Sustainable, Customizable Task-seating Solution for Home and Office / Stylex Reveals Three New Future-Proof Seating Collections / Koroseal Partners with Stacy Garcia | New York to Launch an Exclusive, Urban-Inspired Wallcovering Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 8, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Tech Pushing Metaverse as Future Workplace - If you don't think the world is completely topsy turvy right now, let me present you with another example that might change your mind: As companies around the world shed office space to placate workers who want to work in their pajamas from home, others are spending millions to snap up Sim City-style virtual real estate, which some are saying could herald the start of a bizarre hybrid property market.
- Sustainable Composites Figures Out How to Make Recycled Leather Feel Like New - Recycled leather has a strong environmental story. The process of making leather can create a lot of waste. Producing raw leather takes a lot of water and toxic chemicals. And when leather is thrown away, it can contaminate the earth and create harmful gases.
- AIS Makes Strategic Move to Realign Sales Territories - "We believe this new structure will not only streamline the sales process for our dealers, but it will also create more opportunities. Ben and Doug will work in tandem to leverage our already robust presence in the industry, ensuring that we better meet the needs of our dealers and help them succeed."
- A Graveyard of Great Ideas - No matter how innovative and groundbreaking a new product may be, it can still become blocked in a business-to-business marketplace by a bottleneck in a distribution network that doesn't know how to best present and apply the product.
- Designtex Refreshes a Timeless Collection and Introduces New Products - Unwind wallcovering is especially versatile and can be used in hospitality and corporate spaces where visual texture and tactility calm a space such.
- Empire Office Acquires of DeKalb Office - Since 1984, DeKalb Office has been led by John Rasper, owner and CEO.
- Compusoft and 2020 Complete Merger - "We are excited about the possibilities this combination will give our customers," said David Tombre, Compusoft CEO.
- Stephen Says - "My Boss Is Pressuring Me to Make a Hire! These Candidates are Not Good Enough; Should I Settle?" - by Stephen Viscusi - There are some very basic rules all job seekers need to follow, and as a hiring manager you have every right to expect them.
- UPFRONT: KAI Design Hires Charles Keefer as Senior Project Manager in St. Louis - With more than 20 years of experience in architecture and project management, Keefer's career has included a wide range of projects, clients, environments and challenges. In his most recent role as director of architecture for Fisher Arnold in Memphis, Tennessee, he managed the design team on two Shelby County elementary schools, one of which won the 2021 Memphis Business Journal's Project of the Year.
- Product Spotlight: Indiana Furniture's New Product Introductions Bring Comfort and Style to Working Spaces - The new introductions include the Plush lounge, Polka modular seating and Cush pillows, plus enhancements to the Square One and Accessories lines.
- PLACES - PLMJ Offices – Porto, Portugal | Located on the top two floors of Tower A of Porto Office Park, PLMJ law firm's new office in Porto is a modern and future-oriented workspace. It was possible to create a comfortable and appealing environment through a timeless design language, where attention to detail and materiality play a key role.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - NELSON Worldwide Strengthens Retail Practice with the Addition of Bevan Bloemendaal / AIASF and Center for Architecture + Design Build Cultural Destination for the Bay Area
- FIRST LOOKS - Allermuir Introducing Folk Upholstered / Ultrafabrics Launches Coast Indoor/Outdoor Performance Fabric / Hightower Introduces Dry Shelving System
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 1, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: The Best Work Happens in an Office, Not at Home - The industry can't just keep reacting to the whims of the workers. Part of our job is consultative in nature — we need to guide our customers toward the BEST results, not simply supply them with products they think they might want. The best place for workers is in the office, working together to solve problems.
- KI Makes Room for Wall Success - Genius Wall, in particular, is known for its speed of installation and reconfigurability. That's because it is a unitized product and built that way — when the wall panel arrives on site, it is fully built and ready to be put up into the ceiling track.
- Revisiting Our Bold Predictions for 2021: Where Are We Now? - At ThinkLab we strongly believe in the power of design and design thinking and that a degree of systemization can be accomplished without commoditizing the value of design. 2020–21 has shown us that an industry rooted in bespoke design can pivot to provide good design (even if it's not entirely unique to that client) for projects large or small, within tight budgets and timelines.
- China Plans for Spring CIFF Show (COVID Willing) - To meet the new demands and trends in international trade, a Cross-Border E-Commerce Zone will be created, providing product and material search services, discussion forums, matchmaking opportunities, and solutions and tools for globalizing the furniture trade.
- Going Beyond Net Zero: Humanscale's Legacy of Responsible Design and Manufacturing Continues - Humanscale's 2020 CSR report demonstrates measurable impact across energy, water, emissions, resource depletion, wildlife preservation, social responsibility and healthy materials.
- USGBC to Host Summit on Bridging Occupant & Community Health - The event will be fully virtual to support public health priorities.
- Dyer Brown Grows in Southeast, Expands into Behavioral Health Design - The firm is doing a ton of research into design for behavioral health, and they've learned that there's a significant amount of overlap with their other areas of expertise.
- Stephen Says - "Sales Goals Are Too High? It's Groundhog's Day for Reps" - by Stephen Viscusi - I remember at my first job selling for Haworth one year I had a sales goal I never thought I would make, but then I landed a huge job I was not counting on and made double my base salary. The nature of sales is that they are unpredictable, try as we might to build models to predict them.
- UPFRONT: Celebrating Growth, Architecture and Interiors Firm JZA+D Acquires, Designs New Headquarters - Even in Princeton, New Jersey, a community steeped in its own history, change is inevitable. Few know that better than the architects and designers of JZA+D, who regularly tackle local projects with innovative approaches that blend evolution and tradition.
- Product Spotlight: Lilly and Jax Collections Expands with Rocker Base - The new model is designed to deliver motion in the Lilly and Jax collections, making it appealing to new spaces that go beyond the office. The rocker base complements the both lines creating a casual, relaxed and inviting environment for guest, breakout and lounge spaces.
- PLACES - MONIN Offices – New Delhi | The studio is designed as a fluid and connected space with two open levels. A central "green spine" facing the different areas, widely opened to the mezzanine-floor, providing a fresh connection to nature.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - CIDA Publishes Future Vision 2020-21 Report / ASID Foundation Awards Research Grants to Projects Promoting Inclusivity
- FIRST LOOKS - Arcadia's Theme Collection Bridges the Gap Between Comfort and Style / Source Introduces Attune / Framery Introduces Video Conferencing Solutions for Seamless Office Collaboration / Designtex Introduces Several New Collections
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 24, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Giving Thanks for What's Really Important - Hands down, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it embodies the ideas of family, warmth, reflection and, of course, taking a moment to be thankful for what we have. As a lifelong Detroit Lions fan, the annual football game is a painful part of the day, but one we are all used to here in Michigan.
- Staples Reportedly Closing Contract Furniture Division - Staples claimed it operated the largest commercial furniture dealer in North America through its contract furniture division.
- Allsteel Partners with Fritz Hansen, Adding to its Design Pedigree - The companies have surprisingly similar histories. Both Allsteel and Fritz Hansen started out in cabinet making and both are more than 100 years old.
- Andreu World Debuts New Book About Work, and its Message is Clear — No Suffering Allowed - Eight renowned designers representing eight distinct models of practicing the same profession. They are an example of how to manage talent that should be studied in schools, not only in design schools but also in business schools as success stories.
- Legrand Introduces Sit Stand Desk Solution - The Wiremold Sit Stand Desk Power makes adding power and charging easier than ever — all while maintaining a sleek aesthetic that simplifies cable management.
- Wellness In Action: Office Environments' New Workplace Initiative - "The workplace has changed. The future of work is to show that you truly care about your employees — not buying pingpong tables that no one uses." – Hanna Shelley, Office Environments' marketing manager and Wellness Committee chair.
- ICFF Finally Returns to NYC - The number of attendees was as good as previous years, but the hospitality industry hasn't recovered yet.
- Stephen Says - "Worth Repeating: If Your Employees are Hybrid Working in the Office M/W/F from the Office, On Tuesday and Thursday, They are Interviewing Behind Your Back. Capiche?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Let me put it in crystal clear terms for you: When you tell your employees to come on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and allow them to work remotely on Tuesday and Thursday, guess what? On Tuesday and Thursday, either I or someone like me is sending them on interviews.
- UPFRONT: Landscape Forms Appoints Jaipur Living President & CEO Asha Chaudhary to Board of Directors - Chaudhary began her career at Jaipur Living's Indian manufacturing facility, rising through the ranks to eventually become president and CEO of the growing textile company. Her leadership and expertise in design and home decor has brought rapid expansion to Jaipur Living, shaping the company into an innovator in the design world, establishing collaborative relationships with leading designers and also celebrating the culture and artistic integrity of local artisans.
- Product Spotlight: Introducing the Latest Innovation in Patient Care Communication Boards - VividBoard's newest product is the Swing Changeable Glassboards for patient communication. Swing Changeable was introduced at NeoCon and Healthcare Design to many accolades, winning both a Best of NeoCon Gold and an Innovation Award in the Nightingale Awards competition.
- PLACES - LINGXING Offices – Shenzhen | Onexn Architects used designated work zones marked by pops of color on a neutral backdrop to design the LINGXING offices in Shenzhen, China.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Independent Suppliers Group Hosts Successful Industry Week '21 in Orlando, Florida / Going Beyond Net Zero: Humanscale's Legacy of Responsible Design and Manufacturing / Studio TK Expands Graded In Fabrics Program / COE Distributing's J.D. Ewing Captures 8th Consecutive Pittsburgh Smart 50 Honor
- FIRST LOOKS - eko's neos - Where Comfort Meets Elegance / Turf Design Releases Versatile Intersect Wall Tile / Scandinavian Spaces Celebrates New Strategic Partnership / Kettal Releases Terrain Elements Fabrics, Fire Retardant Acrylic by Doshi Levien / Springboard's DOURO Collection Debuts First Horizontal Working Surfaces
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 17, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: A Conversation Worth Having with Your Customers - Not all the conversations with your customers will be easy. For many years, much of the hiring and firing power has been with the business owners. That has evaporated for a lot of companies. Like it or not, people are going to have to pay their employees more or they risk losing them.
- Embracing the New Frontier — Design Firm Cactus Weighs in on Fears and Opportunities with the Metaverse - While technology isn't necessary for every work task or environment, it does play a role in easing stress in the workplace. Another issue to consider is the role of architects and designers of physical space. Should there be a metaverse takeover, will these roles become obsolete?
- Eight Resources to Prepare for the Future of the Design Industry - Constant reframing is our new normal. In the future, we must reevaluate our tool kit by adopting new tools and using old tools in new ways.
- The Future of Office Spaces: Design Innovation Leverages the Best of Both Worlds of Remote and In-Person Work - Technology facilitated the sudden pivot to remote work and can provide insights for design as employees return to the office. Companies can benefit from emerging AI-based platforms that track employee movement in the office.
- Kimball International Reports Solid Quarter - Consolidated net sales increased 6% to $156.6 million, compared to the prior year first quarter. Organic net sales were $141.4 million.
- Configura Holds Largest CET Experience Yet - "From incredible keynote speakers to awesome breakout sessions led by talented CET users to a great CET Awards competition, this was our best conference yet," said Kelsey DeBruin, global head of user community and events.
- Supporting Active Living at Work: The New Living Well at Work Guide is Available Now - In addition to lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, dementia and Alzheimer's, enhanced active living can also impact better sleep, improved cognition, fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression and provide a better quality of life and sense of overall well-being.
- Stephen Says - "Dealer for Sale: NOT SO FAST!" - by Stephen Viscusi - A handful of people leaving one major dealer for another is not analogous to rats leaving a sinking ship. My experience is that these are just senior executives who are focused on their own careers, not a richy-rich owner like you.
- UPFRONT: Kimball International Receives Women in Healthcare's Outstanding Organization Award - The award was received by Jill Joseph, manager, Health A&D Strategy, for Kimball International at the Summit in Baltimore, Maryland.
- Product Spotlight: Arc-Com Releases Athena - The sophisticated detail and delicate nature of the motif in the pattern can be deceiving, as it has all of the high-performance features necessary for heavy duty end use.
- PLACES - Sinoz Cosmetics Offices – Istanbul; Fabric-covered glass wool was applied on the ceilings together with the carpet to help acoustically in the office areas.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Nick Hayes Joins Kentwood Office Furniture as Product Marketing Manager / Nevers Names Kim Lettorale to Territorial Sales Position / Perkins&Will's Austin Studio Appoints New Managing Director / Workplace Strategist Amy Clark Joins SmithGroup's Denver Office / Perkins&Will Promotes John Strasius to Corporate, Commercial, Civic (CCC) Practice Leader / Nemo Tile + Stone Expands Sales Team with New Vice President of Sales and Sales Support Manager / Marin Architects Strengthens Leadership Team, Promotes Neka Highland to Partner / FXCollaborative Announces Firmwide Promotions, Including Directors of Interiors and a Chief Operating Officer / Configura Announces Winners of 2021 CET Awards / HKS Architects Named Best of Competition Winner at 10th annual IIDA Healthcare Design Awards / Allseating's Prata Wins 2021 GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Platinum Award / Narbutus' SOFT ROCK Wins German Design Award 2022
- FIRST LOOKS - Nevins Introduces Fuse Stool / Kirei Launches Echotile Racetrack / A New Workplace Solution by NARBUTAS Fosters People Collaboration in the Office / Andreu World Releases Siesta / Mannington Commercial Introduces The Case for Silence Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-November, 2021
- JIM HEILBORN | CONNECTING WITH THE A&D COMMUNITY - Establishing a good working relationship with A&D firms can be accomplished by showing how you can be a reliable resource and partner. Step one for designers is often referred to as "field verification".
- BRIAN ZUERCHER | MAKING DESIGN CONNECTIONS - Even with lots of work happening on the internet, most people generally still went to an office every day. Employees are now used to having a set of options — delivery, carryout and dine-in are easy stand-ins for WFH, hybrid and remote work.
- STEFANIE INCE | SUPPORTING ACTIVE LIVING AT WORK: THE NEW LIVING WELL AT WORK GUIDE IS AVAILABLE NOW - This new resource is important given the results of the 2021 INDEAL Cares Employee Wellness Survey Report, which found 47% of respondents are looking for tools and support related to healthy living, including improving physical activity and eating well at home and at work.
- MILLENNIALS OR GEN Z: WHO'S DOING THE MOST JOB-HOPPING? - While some young people might enjoy moving around freely when it comes to jobs, Gen Z's cautiousness might mean we see an increase in the length of time they spend in jobs as their careers progress.
- WHO DESIGNS PRODUCTS FOR THE INDUSTRY? CREATIVE STUDIOS LIKE QDESIGN - The company quickly gained accolades for its designs, winning several industry awards right out of the gates. Qdesign doesn't have to ask what's happening in office design. It sits in the same office (in a separate room) as a design firm on the front lines. It feels the energy, sees what other people are working on, and sees plans being laid out. It knows the popular colors and finishes. All of that feeds into the product design, whether it is for a new table, lighting product or chair.
- MORTARR FILLS IN CRACKS IN DIGITAL INSPIRATION; SPECIFICATION - Mortar is defined as a workable paste that hardens to bind building blocks such as stones, bricks and concrete masonry to fill and seal the irregular gaps between them, spread the weight of them evenly and sometimes to add decorative colors or patterns to masonry walls. Mortarr is just plain useful as a place for inspiration and connection, but also as conduit to move the industry toward a virtual, digital future.
- INDEAL'S WORKSTYLE BOOKLETS NOW AVAILABLE IN DIGITAL AND PRINT FORMAT - The Workstyle booklets are part of INDEAL's Pinpoint Platform, a digital resource designed to quickly connect dealers with brands, with enhancements to help them inform and present to clients.
- THE FURNITURE PRACTICE DRAWING BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT INTERNATIONAL DEALER MIGHT LOOK LIKE - If you are an office furniture dealer and have customers as diverse as Lululemon, BASF, Adobe and the NFL, your "territory" is literally the world. So why not embrace it and cover the globe? That's the idea behind The Furniture Practice, a London-based company that is part consultancy, part office furniture dealer, part project manager and part client services company. And it may be providing the blueprint for the future of furniture specification and delivery for those ambitious (or foolhardy) enough to follow its example.
- WELLNESS IN ACTION: OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS' NEW WORKPLACE INITIATIVE - Based on the initial meeting, INDEAL Cares developed a customized and confidential wellness survey, complete with messaging, for the Office Environments team to share with its employees. INDEAL Cares was established with a vision to transform the health and well-being of individuals working in the commercial interiors industry in North America, something that sparked an interest with Shelley and Minor.
- NEW SURVEY REVEALS MORE THAN 4 IN 10 EMPLOYEES FEEL OVERWHELMED WITH WORKLOAD - One in 10 respondents say a lack of visibility from supervisors into that workload is the biggest challenge. 76% of employees say their workload has been impacted by COVID-19. Within the same study, four in 10 report they are overwhelmed with their workload most or all of the time.
- THE SMARTBOX COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW REPRESENTATIVES - The smartBOX Company continues to grow its national sales presence with the addition of The Lowe Group serving Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
- TANGRAM ANNOUNCES ALYSSA ARMESTO HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO AN EXPANDED GENERAL MANAGER ROLE INCLUDING FRESNO AND BAKERSFIELD OFFICES - Armesto joined Tangram as a sales executive in 2013 in the firm's Newport Beach location. She assumed the role of general manager for Fresno in 2019, bringing her back to her hometown and expanding her position within the company.
- CBI EXPANDS INTO LOS ANGELES AS PART OF STRATEGIC GROWTH EFFORT - "The Los Angeles market is five times larger than the Orange County market, so it offers tremendous growth potential for CBI," said Darren Stiles, CBI president.
- WHERE I'M WORKING — LA CREPERIE PARIS LAS VEGAS - The crêpe did not disappoint. It was light and delicious, the strawberries, blueberries and blackberries were fresh, and the whipped cream literally topped it off perfectly.
- THE EVER-CHANGING POLITICAL PRESENCE IN THE WORKPLACE - With more people working at home, life and work lines have become more blurred, including conversations about culture and politics. Many now work from home / live at work, which means our social lives and political stances often bleed into our work environ-ment.
- ROB PENDLETON JOINS OFFICE RESOURCES AS VICE PRESIDENT, NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - Pendleton will be driving strategic business development initiatives at targeted architecture and design firms in Boston and New York.
- GOODMANS INTERIOR STRUCTURES BECOMES ARIZONA'S EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR FOR MILLERKNOLL - Goodmans Interior Structures is a 67-year-old commercial furniture company with a vision to Change the Community by leveraging its talent and fostering a commitment to stakeholder capitalism. Goodmans is the first Benefit Corporation in the state of Arizona.
- REVIEWS | LECTROFAN HIGH FIDELITY WHITE NOISE SOUND MACHINE - The LectroFan performed admirably to mask the chatter to the point where we couldn't hear specifics of the conversation.
- REVIEWS | AVANTREE NEETTO ADJUSTABLE LAPTOP TABLE - The Avantree Neetto beats products like the pillows with attached work surfaces that make up most of this category, but it still doesn't perform as well as it could, and its design is aesthetically unappealing.
Business of Furniture - November 10, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Learning Looks a lot Different - I spent part of last week in Pittsburgh attending EDspaces, the education conference that has a strong expo and tons of seminars and presentations. Like every place people come together, the educational market is shifting, perhaps more than any other vertical market our industry serves.
- National Ergonomics Conference and ErgoExpo — Reunited. in Person. Moving the Ergo Industry Back to Better. - Ergonomics goes beyond body postures and musculoskeletal issues to whole quality of life and needs to address workplace issues in a post-pandemic world.
- EDspaces Provides Window to How Classrooms and Schools will Look in the Future - EDspaces included the giants in educational furniture like KI, Virco, Artco Bell, Smith System and HON, but it also gave attendees a chance to catch up with some of the smaller, specialized educational furniture companies.
- What if the Workplace Was No Longer a Workplace? - Much like trending Google searches and the emergence of grassroots innovations across societies, there are numerous workplace-related trends that have been fast-tracked by the pandemic. IA has been analyzing these and exploring innovative new ways to reimagine the role of the workplace at a time when its very purpose is called into question. by Jordan Jones, Matthew LoPresto and Rosie Pawsey
- Straight Out of Science Fiction, the Metaverse is Becoming a Reality and Promising for the Workplace - Experts believe the metaverse can encourage and support inclusive socialization and a seamless interactive experience that includes all employees equally.
- Transforming Work: Enabling the Experience of Flow - As designers of products, product configurations and the larger workplaces they form, the challenge is to look beyond the formulaic categories of workstations, conference areas, informal adjacent spaces and the like.
- MillerKnoll's New Global Headquarters for its Retail Brands Moving to New Development in Stamford, Connecticut - "We are looking forward to relocating to a space that will provide us with opportunities for continued growth and collaboration," said Debbie Propst, president of Global Retail for MillerKnoll.
- Celebrate the Reopening of the Groupe Lacasse New-York Showroom - The newly renovated New-York showroom features recently awarded Best of NeoCon 2021 products from both Groupe Lacasse and Via Seating in more than 6,000 square feet of display space.
- Stephen Says - "The Hiring Tap is Dry, but Only in the Off-Season" - by Stephen Viscusi - Believe me, there are people. They might not be so easy to find, but they exist. Explain to candidates the you are recruiting now for your next year hires. Paint a picture for candidates at all levels, tell them that you assume they may be getting a commission or bonus at the end of the year.
- UPFRONT: INDEAL's Workstyle Booklets Now Available in Digital and Print Format - The Workstyle booklets are part of INDEAL's Pinpoint Platform, a digital resource designed to quickly connect dealers with brands, with enhancements to help them inform and present to clients. The platform's VIP level layers in visual results and inspiration along with features like downloadable design files, virtual reality experiences and digital versions of the Workstyle booklets.
- Product Spotlight: Vaddio Introduces Ultra-wide-angle Intelligent Camera for Videoconferencing - The camera comes with a wall mount that allows it to tilt up and down to ensure proper framing of the conference table. It has a USB 3.0 Type C port, HDMI and audio I/O to easily integrate with existing room audio systems. The camera also has built-in RTSP and RTMP streaming capabilities for one-button streaming to popular services like YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Vimeo and more.
- PLACES - Well Group Offices – Xi'an; The one-of-a-kind office for Well Group was designed to suit the needs of the real estate company's rapid growth, evolving structure, and ambitious goals for the future.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Premier Announces Two Promotions, Debbie Lennick New Owner of Creative, Andreu World Nuez Lounge BIO Awarded for Excellence in Design at Good Design Australia, KI's C-Table Max Wins Best in Show at EDspaces 2021, Eames Office To Unveil 80 Years of Design Exhibition At Design Gallery Isetan The Space in Tokyo, Independent Suppliers Group and the Education Market Association Form Innovative Purchasing Consortium and Platform Partnership, Nemo Tile + Stone Acquires Modern Stone Consulting Corp, ASID Sees Strong Recovery in the Design Industry in Second Installment of Resiliency Report
- FIRST LOOKS - Introducing SightLines Boardroom Tables from WallGoldfinger, Arper Introduces Kinesit Met, Hightower's Proto Tables, A Collection that's Ahead of the Curve, Arconas Release emBARq
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 3, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: There is Opportunity in Chaos - Workers right now have a lot of power. They are rejecting offices that look like they were designed in the 1990s (some of them were — or earlier). They want — demand — an office that is comfortable, safe and cool. We can help.
- GMi Companies Opens New Plant Addition at Ohio Headquarters - The addition at GMi could not have happened without the pandemic. GMi received a grant of $450,000 for helping produce personal protective equipment during the pandemic.
- Last Call: NeoCon HUB Offers Opportunity to Catch What You Missed - Good news! There are three more days to "go back" to the show.
- Three Insights about the Future of Product Specification in the Phygital Era - "Participating in this Hackathon was incredibly informative and inspiring," said Meghan Sherwin, chief marketing officer at Keilhauer.
- Getting the Focus Right: The Work Itself Should Matter Most - The concept of flow is understood as that state in which people are so involved in an activity and/or experience that nothing else matters as much as what they are doing at that moment, they are so deeply engaged that they realize a profound degree of insight, clarity and gratification.
- AIS Celebrates Manufacturing Month - AIS has created more jobs in Central Massachusetts over the past five years than any other company..
- Steelcase Acquires Spanish Design Company Viccarbe - Viccarbe has been a leader in designing ancillary spaces for more than 20 years, partnering with leading global talent to elevate performance in hospitality, learning, corporate, and now, outdoor spaces.
- Stephen Says - "Herman Miller Dealer Stealer" - by Stephen Viscusi - I am told by dealer owners and managers they see more vulnerability with recruiting from the Herman Miller dealers (now MillerKnoll dealers) than with the Knoll dealers (also now MillerKnoll dealers). Yes, I get that Miller bought Knoll, but the dealer world is different, when it comes to dealer salespeople.
- UPFRONT: Groupe Lacasse Halloween Party in Chicago - The successful event was organized by Sheridan Contract for the Chicago-area A&D firms and dealers. Other participants included Via Seating, Wolf-Gordon Fabrics, Falcon Contract, 3-Form, Carvart and Krug.
- Product Spotlight: TURF's Arbor Canopy Shows Smart Acoustics with Custom Style - Turf Design has released its newest collection — the Arbor canopy baffle system — to turn ceilings into vehicles of creativity. Arbor's continuous connections between baffles allow for a clean and smooth appearance to accompany the system's impressive sound absorption.
- PLACES - Thndr Offices – Cairo; Studio Teal transformed a dark and unused basement into the offices for Thndr, a digital investment platform located in Cairo, Egypt. Studio Teal was able to utilize the space of this basement to transform it into a calm working space for Thndr, a digital investment platform.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - NYCxDESIGN Returns with Annual Design Festival Nov. 11-18 and Special 10th Anniversary Edition May 10-20, 2022 / CIDA Calls for Community Comment on Revisions to Professional Standards 2020 / MHTN Architects Advances 17 Members Company-Wide / Interwoven Receives Two Nightingale Awards for Embra and Ezzeri Collections at Healthcare Design Expo
- FIRST LOOKS - Flos introduces Oblique Qi / Interwoven Announces New Product Introductions that Expand Their Portfolio / Introducing Maharam Edition Artek Stool 60 / Mohawk Group Introduces Urban Shores / The Reimagined Workspace: Amobi / Fresh for Fall: LightArt Releases Four New Configurations to the Popular Acoustic Collection / Tarkett Introduces VCT II, Company's First Collection Manufactured in Mexico City Facility
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 27, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Napa Cabbage and Pepperwood Candles Never Improved an Office (but You can) - Since the pandemic began and the idea of work changed, I have hammered home the point in this column that the industry must act as workplace consultants to the world. We have the knowledge, backed by research, that is needed as companies return to the workplace — whether that's hybrid, full time or completely remote.
- Texture, Color and Special Inspiration Command Attention with New Collections in Textile Niche - The latest from the Concertex 2021 Accord collection, The Delos Company Technicolor Collection, The HBF Textiles Fall 2021 Collection, and Wolf-Gordon.
- Inaugural Workspace Design Show Starts Next Week in London - Live workshops at the show include a color, material and finish forecast for autumn/winter with Hannah Malein, creative director at Color Hive and head of trends for MIX Magazine, and Kaye Preston conducting a session on mental health and well-being.
- Mercato Place Aims to be Lower-Priced Hub for Material Samples - As an online platform, Mercato Place is designed to be an elegant, enjoyable and easy-to-use solution for exploring by material or brand, with additional filters to further refine selections.
- Moving the Needle on Well-Being in the Workplace: A Call to Action for Ergonomics Practitioners - WELL is an evidence-based tool for measuring, certifying and monitoring the performance of building features that impact health and well-being.
- Tarkett North America Expands its Manufacturing Footprint with Acquisition of Vinylasa - With this acquisition, Tarkett will transition VCT manufacturing from its Florence, Alabama, location to the Vinylasa location in Mexico.
- Scorecard Highlights Wood Furniture Industry's Continuous Improvement Toward Responsible Sourcing - 2021 featured more dramatic improvements in scores than in any of the previous years.
- Stephen Says - "The Louder Mouth, The Younger the Officemate" - by Stephen Viscusi - There are a couple of ways you can go about this process. Either you can raise the issue with the HR department directly, or you can go through a more senior employee at the firm.
- UPFRONT: AIS Adds Three New Team Members - AIS has announced new territory managers for Michigan and South Florida and a new manager for the company's New York City showroom.
- Product Spotlight: Etc. Makes Fresh Introductions for Fall. So.Many.Choices. - This extensive product drop includes seating that extends from sultry lounge (Behl, Bernadette) to "fun"ctional bar stools (Avey, Cowabunga) and zippy guest seating (Irma) to wobble stools (Marjo) for active spaces.
- PLACES - PepsiCo Offices – Ho Chi Minh City; The Suntory PepsiCo Viet Nam office is an agile workplace offering diverse choices as to where and how people work. With the focus on human development, ADP builds up space where all activities from staff are supported, from the cross-team collaboration, sharing knowledge, brainstorming to the private task that needs great concentration. Smart technologies are applied to the office such as the meeting room booking system that upgrades the employees' working experience.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Emily McGinnis and Marcus Batista Join KI as K-12 Educational Specialists / Sydney Watkins Joins Kentwood Office Furniture as Director of Design and Sales Enablement / Andreu World Toronto Showroom Opens its Doors / Significant Year-Over-Year Growth Across North America -- Pipeline Index Remains Robust, above 50% / Unispace Acquires Global Experiential Design Firm Downstream / Kaidi Introduces Intuitive Height Adjustable Base at ErgoExpo 2021
- FIRST LOOKS - HPFi Introduces Spencer Tables / OLLY HUNT Introduces Jean-Michel Frank into Portfolio / Teknion Introduced WithIn at NeoCon / Muzo Introduces Tall Trestle / Seating for Circularity: naughtone to Offer Sofa Designed With the End in Mind / Unika Vaev Introduces Four New Acoustic Products from Instyle
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 20, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Battle Price Increases with Better Communication - If you must raise prices, talk to your customers about it. Explain exactly why things are more expensive and why you need to pass along those costs to them.
- Togetherness, Inclusion and Diversity Were Strong Themes in NeoCon 2021 Keynotes - All new ideas are combinations of existing ideas. This rule has a caveat: Not all idea combinations are created equal.
- What Designers Need to Know about Supply Chain Disruption - This disruption has made MANY MANUFACTURERS rethink THEIR supply chain. For example, Prior to the pandemic it was $2,500 to get a container from China, but now it costs $30,000.
- Reuniting at NeoCon 2021: Buzzing Three Days Invigorate Industry - "Attending NeoCon is like diving headfirst into the gap between where our clients' spaces are and where they'd like them to be. There's a solution for every design problem, even the ones we don't know about yet." — Katie Titi
- Business Transformation Must Include Manufacturers - Delivering for the customer is the ultimate goal. I propose we attack the transformation of the commercial furniture industry from both sides. Let's have dealers AND manufacturers commit to digital transformation.
- Investing in Employees at Work: Physical Spaces Drive Culture and Talent Development - The office's role is already changing to a place of ideation — not just work. Nearly 87% of employees believe the office is important for collaborating and relationship building.
- AIS Wraps a Successful Show at NeoCon 2021 - For NeoCon this year, the company refreshed a number of spaces, vignettes and products within the 10,400-square-foot floorplate.
- Stephen Says - "Don't Let Your Top Salespeople Leave. Give Them a Track to Promotion" - by Stephen Viscusi - Gone are the days where a sales manager comes to town to work with a salesperson in the field, merely for the salesperson to introduce you, the manager, to the customer.
- UPFRONT: Office Furniture Liquidations Clears Hotel and Partners with VetStrong for Greater Good of Community - Rising material costs and skilled labor shortages have caused extreme production delays for in-demand consumer products. Obtaining used furniture through transactions like this allows people to get the products they need immediately. It also saves the environment.
- Product Spotlight: Via Seating Launches Rise, a Superior Ergonomic Task and Meeting Seating Series - RISE is contemporary, streamlined and uncomplicated. It embodies soft curves that flow in any space or place. With a variety of ergonomic features, including the latest technology in body balance synchro movement, six-way adjustable arms, a molded foam seat with seat depth adjustment and four-way stretch elastomeric mesh with lumbar option, RISE fits a wide range variety of body types with ease.
- PLACES - iiLabs Offices – Mexico City; The ground floor houses the laboratory area, which also serves as a showcase area for what the company does.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Tarkett Announces Partnership with Tingle Flooring, IIDA Advances Diversity and Mentorship at NeoCon, COE Distributing Returns for Eighth Appearance on Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Companies List, Vertical Interior Design Honored at the ASID Illinois Celebration of Design
- FIRST LOOKS - National Office Furniture Releases New Product Enhancements Tailored to Add Comfort to the Workplace, Mobile Green Wall Helps Prepare the Workplace for the New Expectation of Employees, Kimball Introduces EverySpace – A Creative Framework for the Future, Mannington Commercial Introduces Amtico Active Lines Collection, Pair Introduces Benching System Fade With a Waterfall Edge
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-October, 2021
- JIM HEILBORN | ATTENDING INDUSTRY EVENTS CAN OPEN A WINDOW TO THE FUTURE - Like everything else, the pandemic has had a large impact on NeoCon. We may like to think we're on the cutting edge but a great deal of what our industry develops, sells and uses is often just a response to changes in other industries, technologies, legislation and sometimes, even the economy.
- BRIAN ZUERCHER | A NEOCON OUTSIDER ON THE VALUE OF LOOKING OUTSIDE YOUR INDUSTRY - I was really looking to spot the IBM of the industry. Just like IBM in the tech space, many furniture manufacturers have been studying how people work for decades.
- GEORGE LUCAS PFEIFFER | EXPERIENCING NEOCON 2021 AFTER THE SHOW - NeoCon 2021 was truly a show unlike any other since its inception in 1969. Knowing where to look and becoming a frequent consumer of commercial interiors content will certainly make you more knowledgeable and a greater asset to your team and your customers.
- JUSTIN LOEBER | BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION MUST INCLUDE MANUFACTURERS - NeoCon 2021 was my first experience at theMART and I thoroughly enjoyed it. What I realized at NeoCon is there's an unspoken limit to how easy a dealer can make it for customers and employees. You may have nailed your CRM, dialed in your business system, automated basic functions, deployed killer dashboards and so on, but you will eventually hit a wall.
- STEFANIE INCE | FOCUS ON SPINE HEALTH: OCTOBER IS NATIONAL ERGONOMICS MONTH - Spine Health Has Declined Over the Past Year | The recent INDEAL Cares Employee Wellness Survey Report, which included input from thousands of people within the industry, found 53% of respondents are suffering from spine or neck pain — a significant increase over a year ago when only 31% of individuals reported spine pain.
- WORKING SPACES TIES SUCCESS TO COMMITMENT TO COMMUNICATION, TECHNOLOGY - "We didn't lay anybody off. We didn't let anybody go. We actually grew the business year over year during the pandemic." | Working Spaces believes it sets itself apart in many ways, but communication with the client — from beginning to end, when things are going right and when they are going wrong — is a key differentiator. The dealer also believes that using technology to the fullest can set you apart in the marketing and sales process as well.
- INDEAL RESCHEDULES UPCOMING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE - INDEAL's 2021 Leadership Conference, originally scheduled to take place in December, has been postponed until Nov. 6-9, 2022.
- MEGAN RUSSO RECEIVES ARIDO DESIGN AWARD FOR MCCRUM'S OFFICE FURNISHINGS - Russo's creative process and attention to detail helped the company realize the vision of its space as a holistic experience for McCrum's employees, clients and suppliers.
- MOST EMPLOYERS PLAN TO OFFER HYBRID WORK AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ACCORDING TO XPERTHR'S LATEST SURVEY - The results indicate that the war for talent is playing a big role in organizations' planning around flexible work with nearly nine in 10 employers reporting 'increasing retention' as either 'somewhat' or 'very' important in motivating them to offer flexible work options.
- MIDPOINT 'MUSTS' FROM NEOCON 2021 - The Midpoint staff scoured theMART last week, looking for products that caught our eye, were well designed and solved for a specific purpose.
- WORKERS SAY JOB PRESSURES TAKE BIGGER MENTAL TOLL THAN COVID-19 FEARS - Fifty-seven percent of workers surveyed said their mental health has degraded since the start of the pandemic. The driving factor behind this decline: their workload. Work pressures are so great that half of the respondents say work demands are taking a bigger toll on their mental health than COVID-19.
- RIEKE OFFICE INTERIORS WINS GLOBEE; TAKES SILVER AWARD IN COMPANY INNOVATION CATEGORY - ROI won a Silver Award in the category of Company Innovation of the Year for its entry "Creating the SafeSpace Product Line During the Pandemic."
- LEGRAND'S VANTAGE BRAND ANNOUNCES NEW FIXTURE ALLIANCE PARTNER — ENVIRONMENTAL LIGHTS - As part of these alliances, a 5 + Lighting Design Dealer Profit Promotion (DPP) has been developed. Through the DPP, projects featuring both Vantage and Environmental Lights products will receive a 5% discount from Vantage at the time of order and a free lighting design when a project is registered.
- WHERE I'M WORKING — HOTEL MILANO CASTELLO - The hotel is truly a hidden gem, found on a back alley in a nice, vibrant neighborhood, close enough to the goings-on while attending Salone, but far enough away to be slightly removed from the chaos.
- TANGRAM ANNOUNCES KIMBERLY WIGGS HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO K-12 EDUCATION AREA OF PRACTICE LEADER - In her new position, Wiggs will assist in hiring and lead training for new employees for the inside sales desk. She will work closely with the education manufacturer partners to be best aligned with K-12 opportunities, while continuing to strengthen Tangram's position in the education market.
- IN LIGHT OF COVID'S TOLL ON WORKERS, A NEW REPORT OFFERS SIX RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE - "Businesses not only need to trust their employees, but to gain their employees' trust."
- UNISPACE ACQUIRES EXPERIENTIAL DESIGN FIRM DOWNSTREAM - Downstream has an expansive portfolio of integrated digital and physical experiences in global tech hubs, flagship retailers, major sports venues and other destination spaces around the world.
- SOLOMON COYLE NOW ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS FOR FALL PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRAINING - Solomon Coyle's PM training program addresses dealer goals for margin protection, customer satisfaction and retention and talent management.
- REVIEWS | ADOBE SCAN and WORLDCARD PRO BUSINESS CARD READER - Adobe Scan is an app that turns your mobile device into a scanner that recognizes text automatically (OCR) and allows you to create, save and organize your paper documents as a digital file. WorldCard Pro is the best digital scanners we've used of those on the market. It is a simple, pocket-sized scanner that easily connects to your Mac or Windows computer.
Business of Furniture - October 13, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: What We Can Learn from NeoCon 2021 - Crowds were definitely down, but I didn't hear many complaints. In fact, NeoCon-lite was refreshing — the perfect prequel for NeoCon 2022 in June. If this NeoCon was any indication, held during an active pandemic, the June event should be fantastic as the world (fingers crossed) moves beyond the worst of the virus.
- Arconas Introduces its Luxury Residential Furniture Brand, Atelier Keaton, with Launch of Amelia Sofa Collection - While Atelier Keaton and the Amelia sofa collection are a new focus for Arconas, in many ways the launch of the brand is a return to the company's roots. Arconas began manufacturing European residential furniture such as the iconic Bouloum chaise in the 1970s.
- BoF's Brightest Products at NeoCon 2021 - This publication isn't about formal award programs. Commercial furnishings is too subjective for all but a select few to properly judge with any accuracy, in our opinion.
- A Visual Difference: Colors and Patterns Shift to Accommodate Wellbeing of People and the Earth - Colorful doesn't have to be bold and sharp - It can be as simple as redefining earth tones and bringing the outdoors in.
- NeoCon and Casual Show Recap - We felt traffic was certainly dampened compared to pre-pandemic levels, but overall, it was upbeat and fairly well attended.
- ASID Announces 2022 Board of Directors — Climate, Health and Equity at Forefront for the Board - With an eye on the interior design industry's role in the health of the planet and its occupants, the National Board of Directors of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has released its first-ever position statement on climate, health and equity.
- To the Parents of Camper Rob Kirkbride - Our first Camp NeoCon, Fall Session, was a bit of a change from past years, but campers adapted well—loving the chance to spend more meaningful time doing activities with each other and seizing the opportunity to have dedicated and purposeful conversations with counselors about all of the new crafts introduced at camp..
- Stephen Says - "NeoCon in October! But the Event is Still the Job-Change Marker" - by Stephen Viscusi - Trade shows are milestones in any industry. For contract furniture it's NeoCon. For residential manufacturers it is Highpoint, and in hospitality it can be spread among shows from Las Vegas to Boutique Design New York coming up in November. Trade shows are a logical and exciting way of getting the word out fast while showcasing your new talent.
- UPFRONT: INDEAL Reschedules Upcoming Leadership Conference - INDEAL's 2021 Leadership Conference, originally scheduled to take place in December, has been postponed until Nov. 6-9, 2022. The decision to move the conference to a later date was based on the organization's commitment to the health and safety of those attending.
- PLACES - Watsons Offices – Singapore; Watsons is Asia's leading health and beauty retailer that operates nearly 8,000 stores in numerous Asian and European markets. Through the relocation of their offices to The Concourse, Watsons had the intention of reflecting their newly updated brand expression into the space as well as adopting a new way of working for employees.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - NELSON Worldwide Welcomes Balmiki Bhattacharya as Industrial Practice Leader, Shaw Industries' EcoWorx Carpet Tile is Among the First in the World to Be Cradle to Cradle Certified Under the Version 4.0 Standard, Gabriel Opens its Largest Showroom in Chicago, The Architecture and Design Film Announces a Captivating Roster of Films and Events 2021 and 2022
- FIRST LOOKS - SmartBOX Unveils a Full Line of Personal Work Pods, Luxxbox Introduces TESSELL Acoustic Pendant to the North American Market, Graypants Introduces Dash; Beautiful, High-Performance Lighting for Brighter Workplaces, Springboard Introducing the CURVO Collection: Three Collaboration Tools for Flexible Workspaces
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 6, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Greetings from Camp NeoCon - I was struck today as I walked around NeoCon that going to the annual event in Chicago feels a bit like going to camp as a kid so I decided to write today's column in the form of a letter home from our industry's most important "camp."
- Sara Armbruster Takes Reins at Steelcase at Critical Time for Industry, Company - Armbruster is from Milwaukee, a lifelong Midwesterner who spent time on the East Coast for college. She was recruited for a position as a corporate strategist 14 years ago, when her children were toddlers. Armbruster considers Grand Rapids home.
- NeoCon 2021 Off to a Strong, Strange Start - The biggest difference was on the seventh floor. The aisles are much wider and large swaths of the floor were blocked off or empty. Companies like Claridge, OM and Formaspace, which were anchors on the temporary floors are in permanent showrooms.
- Designing for Wellbeing — Incorporate Neuro-architecture for External Beauty and Inner Peace - The best advice for a designer working on a project, whether residential or commercial, is to find out what personal things already exist in a client's life that really resonates with them.
- Nook Wellness Pods provide Shelter, Comfort and Calm for Neocon Attendees - Grab a NOOK during the show to recharge, make a call, meet or just take a breath without missing any of the excitement of Neocon.
- New Interiors Industry Benchmarking Data Available: ThinkLab Launches New 2021 U.S. Design Industry Benchmark Report - Overall, there's good news if you are an architect or designer — 82% of companies are planning to hire in 2022, so be sure to check out the section about top skills architects and designers will need to be successful in 2022 and beyond.
- Digital Tools Open Opportunities for Innovation in the Custom Furniture Industry - The use of technology has given freedom to model and build very complex, detailed and unique designs.
- Configura Announces Acquisition of ProjectMatrix - Together, Configura and ProjectMatrix will deliver a complete space planning solution for the entire sales and design process, from content creation to specification to installation.
- Stephen Says - "Supply Chain Issues Creates Salesperson Burnout; Is It Time For A New Career?" - by Stephen Viscusi - I recently heard from a number of my clients that they are telling customers this problem has a minimum of six more months to go. That was a guess on their part. Realistically, some have told me off the record at NeoCon this week that this disturbance in the supply chain will be longer than six months, and maybe go through the middle of next year.
- Upfront: Haworth Collection Adds Emeco Partnership - A new partnership between Emeco and Haworth will add Emeco products to the Haworth Collection in early 2022. This will be a curated product selection, including iconic designs like the Navy chair, Broom and Alfi. Emeco will continue to serve the market as an open line and collaborate with existing and new partnerships independently.
- NeoCon Spotlight: QUORUM Multiconference Wins a Best of NeoCon Silver Award! - It is with great pleasure that Groupe Lacasse announced Monday the launch of the highly anticipated new version of the QUORUM MULTICONFERENCE collection.
- PLACES - Flexera Offices – Warrington; Bluesky Design Interiors was tasked with creating the expansive Flexera offices with a neutral palette and pops of color for functional work in Warrington, England.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - CNY Group Promotes AnaTracey Hawkins to Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth, CP Group, Formerly Crocker Partners, Hires In-house Senior Designer, Ethosource Celebrates 20 Years, GMi's New Facility Allows for Efficiencies and Consolidation of Production Operations, Nemo Tile + Stone Unveils Southampton Showroom, CIDA Calls for Community Comment on Professional Standards 2020, KAI Named Recipient of AIA Dallas Firm Award
- FIRST LOOKS - Leolux LX Introduces R18 Armchair, Artopex Introduces its Fall Releases, Kirei Launches Simple Baffle +, A Twist on Acoustic Ceiling Design, DARRAN Releases Honey Mobile and Accessories, KEM STUDIO's Noise-canceling Panel System, Tempo, Honored with Awards
- NeoCon 2021 News - Camira and Luna Launch Combined Showroom at NeoCon, Hightower Welcomes NeoCon with Transformed Chicago Showroom
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - NeoCon Preview Special Edition | October 2, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: NeoCon 2021: Weird or Wonderful, I'm a Glass-Half-Full Kinda Guy - There has been a lot of negativity surrounding NeoCon 2021, which is not a surprise since we are gathering during an active pandemic. But I'm a glass-half-full kinda guy. I'm confident that NeoCon can and will be an amazing event for the industry, even though there is very little normal about this show. The naysayer says, "It is a strange time of year. We are used to the summer heat and occasional monsoon rainstorms in Chicago in June. Here we are in October with cool weather forecast for the show." Glass half full guy says, "At least we get to buy new fall fashions for the show!"
- OE Electrics will launch ANIMATE at NeoCon 2021 - Furniture can never be truly mobile if it has to be continuously plugged in to receive power. OE's ANIMATE range combines a flexible and powerful battery system with OE's innovative range of modular, high-power USB charging solutions to power furniture without the cord.
- LOGICDATA Announces Historic Move to "One- Stop-Shop" for Customized Adjustable Legs, Frames - A suite of height-adjustable legs and height-adjustable table frames are the new products it is introducing.
- Meet Supreen: Nassimi's Newest Revolutionary Performance Fabric - Prioritizing material innovation, sustainability, cleanability and stain-resistant technology, Supreen marries cutting-edge woven and coated technology with a proprietary silicone blend to create a liquid-barrier textile.
- HÅG Capisco and HÅG Capisco Puls Now Available - 9to5 Seating is excited to announce the US arrival of the HÅG Capisco and HÅG Capisco Puls — movement task seating solutions timed perfectly with the active seating movement.
- Connectrac, a Brand of Legrand Introduces New Products - Connectrac products provide invisible, movable power connections throughout a space via a floor-based raceway system. Unlike core drills and power poles, Connectrac can go anywhere in a space.
- HAT Collective Introduces the Elle Collection - Designed and manufactured in Denmark, the collection offers well-designed, price-accessible, commercial-grade workplace solutions with European flare, and it allows employers and workers to choose workspace solutions that best meet their needs.
- SitOnIt Seating Introduces Cora and Much More - With expert insights from Certified Healthcare Interior Designers (CHID), SitOnIt's Cora was designed to withstand the high demands of modern spaces.
- AIS Heads to NeoCon 2021 - "We've been on a mission to meaningfully broaden our product portfolio, giving our dealers more choices and options to best serve their customers around the country," said Nick Haritos, president of AIS.
- LINAK U.S. Keeps You Moving No Matter Where You Work - The new designs at NeoCon will bridge the gap between the corporate office and those working from home and change how people work together for years to come.
- OM5 Active Supports a Versatile and Creative Future - OM Seating wows with OM5 Active Nest, a nesting and stacking chair with a subtle, articulating chair top.
- Lacasse PARADIGM Panel System by Lacasse - The Paradigm panel system by Lacasse conveys a sophisticated feel thanks to a combination of high performance materials and components.
- Wolf-Gordon Announces New Collections and Collaborations - Wolf-Gordon's Laguna is the newest addition to its Origins collection of patterns inspired by artifacts housed in the Museum of New Mexico.
- OM's New Tibidi Plays with all the Kids - A riff on TBD, Tibidi is an daptable problem solver with unexpected panache. It announces its presence with a stackability index of 45 chairs — more than the 40 that fit under a door, but a handy storage-saving superpower that can solve many facility manager's needs.
- HAT Collective Introduces the M-Series Quad Workstation - Featuring an innovative design that enables it to take up less space than traditional work tables, the four-person workstation is ideal for small-group and collaborative work. Manually height-adjustable to each user's desired sit-or-stand preference, Quad supports ergonomics and gives workers individual control of their workspace.
- NEOCON FIRST LOOKS - The latest products from: 3form, Allseating, Allsteel, Andreu World, Arcadia, Arc-Com, Brentano, Camira, Coalesse, Concertex, Davis, Designtex, Division Twelve, Encore, Falcon, Global, and many more!
Business of Furniture - September 29, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Issues with Raw Materials, Components, Logistics, Staffing are Strangling the Industry - Simply put, the office furniture industry is struggling to make furniture because of shortages in just about everything that goes into making it. First wood was in short supply, now steel and foam.
- Davis Furniture's New North Carolina Headquarters a Turning Point for the Design-Focused Company - The modern building reflects Davis' modern furniture. That starts at the front of the building with its 12-foot high windows.
- ThinkLab Trendspotters: Who You Need to Follow at NeoCon 2021 - For those on site, our Trendspotters will aid in digesting what they've seen and identify as must-sees. For those not on site, we'll bring you the "hallway conversations" and help you discover the products, brands and trends you shouldn't miss.
- Ideas for the New Steelcase CEO - Advocating for a strong Steelcase does not necessarily reflect a bias, nor does it represent any desire that other manufacturers in the industry shouldn't also be wildly successful in the years to come.
- Nook Wellness Pods provide Shelter, Comfort and Calm for Neocon Attendees - Grab a NOOK during the show to recharge, make a call, meet or just take a breath without missing any of the excitement of Neocon.
- Organizers Going 'All Out' for NeoCon Next Week - Walking the showroom floors a few weeks prior to the show, it almost felt like a typical year for NeoCon preparation at theMART.
- New Design Center Opens in Chicago to Assist Specifiers with a Holistic Approach - The Chicago ARC held a grand opening Sept. 16, which was attended by more than 100 visitors. The showroom at 404 North May St. is open by appointment and during its Thirsty Thursday Happy Hour open house events on Oct. 21 and Nov. 18.
- Steelcase Rides Out Tough Quarter, Sees Promise in Incoming Orders - "The extraordinary inflation in steel, logistics and many other commodities impacted our gross margins more significantly than we expected in the second quarter, and we now project inflation will have a more significant impact on our results over the remainder of this fiscal year than we had previously expected," said Dave Sylvester, senior vice president and CFO.
- Herman Miller Exclusive Manufacturer of the National Museum of Norway's Competition Chair Design Winner 'Portrait' - The origins of the Portrait Chair began four years ago, as part of an open competition sponsored by Statsbygg (the National Property Board), and co-organized with the National Museum of Norway.
- Stephen Says - "Heads are Rolling! What Should I Do?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Do not let the static and gossip of the marketplace guide you to your next job. Take a deep breath and get back to work! Then on weekends update your resume and have some faith this will work.
- Upfront: OM Seating Writes its Next Chapter - Coinciding with its 35th anniversary, OM Seating has inked a lease for a permanent showroom at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago. The 3,300-square-foot space was designed by Principal Jane Kobayashi and Senior Associate Maggie van Oppen of 5D.2D Studio, with whom OM has had a 12-year relationship.
- NeoCon Spotlight: Is the Office Pergola the New Cubicle? The Future of Work is at NeoCon 2021 - "For more than 50 years, NeoCon has helped launch product solutions that meet, and even anticipate, needs and trends in the workplace and other shared spaces," said Byron Morton, vice president of NeoCon.
- PLACES - Covestro Headquarters – Leverkusen; Arriving at the atrium, both the atmosphere and the interior composition project innovation.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Nemo Tile + Stone Hires Frank Kimmerling as Chief Financial Officer, Scott Nichols Joins COE Distributing Executive Team as Vice President of Sales, JSI Announces New Partnerships in Two Markets, KI is Excited to be Back Together at NeoCon 2021, 3form and LightArt to Introduce Align Sustainability Initiative and Recycled Products at NeoCon 2021, NARBUTAS Opens a New Chicago Showroom During Neocon 2021, HBF Celebrates Four Decades of Design Milestones and Presents a Compelling Vision for a New Workplace Design Language at NeoCon 2021
- FIRST LOOKS - Shev Chair Introduces The Verona Series
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 22, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Where Do I Hang My Coat at NeoCon? And Why Did Humanscale Decide to 'Pass' on an Event it was Never Going to be a Part of? - For the first time, NeoCon will be held in the fall. As a Midwesterner, I would love to tell you how you should dress for a fall event in Chicago. But that's nearly impossible as the weather in early October could literally be 80 degrees and sunny or 40 degrees with cold rain.
- Understanding a Behavior-based Approach to Workplace Design — Emotions are Playing a Bigger Role - It's about getting away from the idea that if an office is designed for the masses, it will work for everybody, that it's the best that can be done.
- Design Trade Shows in the New Normal: Vibrant, Curated, Purposeful: Reactions from an Industry Getting Back Together in Celebration of Product - There really is nothing like being able to experience a product in person, and while technology is phenomenal and at times underused in augmenting those experiences, memories are tied to our senses.
- OM Looks Forward with New Collections - OM's story and those of its customers will be on full display at NeoCon, where books and words will play a central theme in the showroom's design.
- Reviving Work at the Office: In-person Connections Combat Burnout and Spark Collaboration - It's very difficult to create social capital in remote settings. The ability to collaborate in-person, to build meaningful work relationships through informal interactions contributes to a thriving work environment.
- supersalone: A Bet Won Thanks to Courage, Vision and Cohesion - The presence of many government and institutional figures was also testament to the importance of the Salone del Mobile.Milano as a financial driver of Italy.
- Mannington Commercial Completes Purchase of AtlasMasland Assets - Mannington Commercial will continue to offer a wide array of the products from AtlasMasland. While some products will not be carried over, a large portion will be.
- Virco Reports 5.8% Increase in Net Income for Second Quarter and Record Backlog - Net sales were $59.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2022, a slight decline from $59.5 million for same period of the prior fiscal year.
- Environments' Elevated APP Unlocks Healthy, Intuitive Spaces Through IoT - The app is driven by proprietary software that leverages Environments' nearly five-decade design and lighting solutions expertise, smart systems knowledge and IoT product capabilities.
- Stephen Says - "Yes! I Am Going To NeoCon! Stop Asking!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Yes of course I am going: I wish people would stop asking me! I would not miss it for the world, and I hope everyone goes. I think NeoCon, transcends theMART show alone, and yes, I get it, It is not NeoCon per se, but lots of people will be in the West Loop at Fulton Market.
- Upfront: New Representation - DAN BINFORD & ASSOCIATES Joins Groupe Lacasse U.S. Sales Team - As part of its strategic initiative to continue to grow its share of business in a hyper-competitive marketplace, Groupe Lacasse has appointed a new independent, multi-state Rep organization responsible for the sale of commercial and healthcare products in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania.
- NeoCon Spotlight: 2020 to Set Up In-Person and Virtual Booths at NeoCon 2021 - Visitors can meet the team in person, discover what's new with their products and leave with 2020 goodie bags. They will also be hosting a special VIP customer event at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 4 on the second floor of the Merchandise Mart at Marshall's Landing.
- Fresh New Energy from 9to5 Seating - 9to5 Seating's new showroom was created by acclaimed Chicago design firm Kuchar Design Studio with the goal of creating a clean, gallery feel that can be embellished and modified over time. With curved platforms and rugs in natural shapes, the space aims to be both modern and inviting, in synch with the brand's seating.
- HAT Collective Offering "Happiness at Work" Continuing Education Unit Course at NeoCon 2021 - With the modern workplace continuing to evolve in complexity, the course offers a timely perspective on the essential role designers play in creating happy work environments. Participants will learn, among other topics, the science and psychology of happy workplaces and how product choice and control contributes to worker happiness.
- PLACES - Premico Offices – Helsinki; Mint & More Creative designed Premico Group's new office located in the heart of Helsinki.
- INDUSTRY PULSE - //3877, NELSON, One Workplace New Hires, INDEAL Cares Survey, ISG Rebate, OM Seating Level 2, OFL Overcomes Challenges, Tangram Donates, J.D. Ewing Lauded, Hightower Showroom
- FIRST LOOKS - New Creative Designs from Carl Hansen & Son, Morbern New Vinyl, Lighting from Landscape Forms, Blå Station Plybord, Allora from Cortina Leathers
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-September, 2021
- JIM HEILBORN | THE SEVEN LEARNING STYLES AND SELLING - Too many companies don't invest enough time and money on proper orientation and training. They want instant success but aren't willing to pay for it.
- KAY SARGENT | SOLUTIONS FOR THE POST-PANDEMIC ERA - The past 18 months have been a helluva ride, but it's not over yet. The silver lining of the past year may be that it's given us an opportunity to think beyond the challenges at hand and take a much more holistic look at how, when and where people work.
- STEFANIE INCE | THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH - Leaders have an extraordinary opportunity to fundamentally change the way their employees live and work — and the overall quality of their lives.
- ROB KIRKBRIDE | BACK TO (THE MOST FUN) SCHOOL WITH INDEAL U - Things are changing so much in the industry right now, INDEAL U is needed more than ever by those hoping to keep up.
- EUGENE COLBERG | WORKPLACES BEND, NOT BREAK IN POST-COVID ERA - The coronavirus pandemic has been a shock to the system in many negative ways, however, it's great to see a completely unexpected evolution of the workplace come out of it that will ensure safety and productivity for years to come.
- WHERE I'M WORKING — BREWDOG DOGHOUSE HOTEL - The DogHouse Hotel is a surprisingly good place to work, especially if you're traveling while COVID-19 is still spreading, since there is a huge outdoor seating area.
- GOODMANS STRIVES TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE TO 'RETURN OUR EMPLOYEES BACK TO THEIR FAMILIES...IN A BETTER CONDITION THAN WE GOT THEM IN THE MORNING' - "What we've doubled down, tripled down on and continue to believe is that our purpose, the reason we exist, is to create a great employee experience for people."
- INDEAL OPENS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE REGISTRATION TO ITS DEALER MEMBERS - "Our goal is to provide critical knowledge that helps members move beyond many of the challenges they've been facing, so they can confidently look towards a more promising future," said Dave Bloch, INDEAL CEO.
- MARK BAKER NAMED CEO AT SANTA CLARA-BASED ONE WORKPLACE - Baker is a former executive at Steelcase who has led One Workplace through growth of technology and construction divisions, the initiation of workplace culture consulting and the company's expansion into other markets, including Sacramento and Salinas, California, and Seattle, Washington.
- INDEAL CARES SURVEY SHOWS PANDEMIC TAKES TOLL ON MENTAL HEALTH; BACK PAIN STILL A PROBLEM - The survey, launched in June 2021, aimed to understand both the self-reported well-being of individuals working in a variety of roles within the industry, employee intentions and wishes for returning to the workplace safely in a post-COVID world.
- BOS TAKES TRAINING TO NEW LEVEL WITH WORKSPACE DIGITAL; HELPS CREATE CONTENT FOR INDEAL U - BOS and its Workspace Digital division proved it can create digital content to get people up to speed quickly. Now it is doing the same for INDEAL U.
- WHAT WE EXPECT FROM NEOCON: VIEWS FROM A VETERAN AND A FIRST-TIMER - Both Pat Gosselin and Kalie Soris come from Interiors for Business, a Steelcase-aligned dealer in the Chicago area, but they are about as far apart on the NeoCon spectrum as two people can get. Gosselin, president of the company, is ready for his 30th NeoCon and Soris, its young marketing coordinator, is preparing to attend her first. Here's what they had to say about the show.
- AIS EXPANDS DESIGN DEPARTMENT TO HELP DEALERS - Over the past few months, the department has hired two new designers with a combined 25-plus years of experience. They bring a broad-based skillset with a focus on designing corporate and educational interiors.
- SURVEY: AS WORKPLACES REOPEN, 42% OF WORKERS FEAR GETTING COVID - Survey respondents rank a flexible work location as the most desired aspect of a new job, prioritizing it slightly over better pay and career advancement, the two traditional drivers of job changes.
- REVIEWS | ORIGINAL PRUSA MINI+ 3D PRINTER - You would be hard pressed to find a more powerful little printer for less than $500.
- REVIEWS | COTOPAXI ALLPA 35 L TRAVEL PACK - We found the Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L nearly perfect for every business travel situation. The pack meets carry-on size restrictions for most airlines, so it is a great size for air travel.
Business of Furniture - September 15, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Study Shows Rude Employees, Like Bad Apples, Spoil the Bunch - Although 70% of employees experienced rudeness at work, only 16 percent of workplace relationships were characterized by rude behavior.
- 'After the Long Hard Winter of the Epidemic, There's Finally a Ray of Hope for the Future': Supersalone Proves Why Milan Remains Center of Design - The design of the show was the brainchild of the Supersalone curator, Stefano Boeri and an international group of co-planners — Andrea Caputo, Maria Cristina Didero, Anniina Koivu, Lukas Wegwerth, Marco Ferrari and Elisa Pasqual of Studio Folder and Giorgio Donà, co-founder and director of Stefano Boeri Interiors.
- Watson Furniture: Passionate about Furniture, its Employees and the Environment - Watson is an insource manufacturer. More than 90% of the product is produced in house. The only exception being hardware items, such as drawer pulls and slide rails.
- An Easy Escape — IDYLL Collective Makes Transforming a Space Simple and Inspiring - Art can change the ambiance in a corporate office.
- A Look Ahead: Learning from the Past to Anticipate the Future - The office furniture industry, as anyone who has experienced it knows, has an uncanny potential to become embedded in one's bone marrow.
- Your Processes Will Get You Out of the Daily Grind - This whole area of process definition, implementation and tracking is probably one of the biggest weaknesses I've seen in the dealership business.
- Inscape Announces First Quarter 2022 Financial Results - Total sales revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 was $7.9 million, compared to $11.4 million for the same period of fiscal 2021.
- Stephen Says - "Email Slander Is Forever Slander" - by Stephen Viscusi - Just because you no longer work somewhere, it doesn't mean that they wave a magic wand and make all that correspondence disappear.
- Training & Development - "How Block Timing Can Help You Get More Done" - by Sid Meadows - It's no surprise time management is a hot topic right now. Most of us feel we don't have enough hours in the day to get everything done, and it seems like there will never be enough hours to complete our daily to-do's again.
- Upfront: Exemplis Acquires Future Seating, Parent Company to X-Chair, Mavix Gaming and Healthy Back - Both Future Seating and SitOnIt Seating will continue to operate independently. All products will continue to be ordered from, fulfilled by and serviced by their respective sales teams, factories and customer service teams. It will be business as usual for both companies.
- Product Spotlight: Tarkett Introduces Corollary and Spin-Off in Collaboration with Designer Jhane Barnes - Following her signature process of translating mathematical formulas into striking patterns, Barnes used the geometric concept of space-filling fractals to create her latest carpet styles: Corollary and Spin-Off.
- PLACES - Parimatch Tech Offices – Kyiv
- INDUSTRY PULSE - New Careers at BIFMA, Humanscale, KAI, IIDA NY Chapter, U.S. Green Building Council / COE Distributing Honored / Tarkett Online Tool / U.S. GBC LEED Fellows
- FIRST LOOKS - Mohawk Introduces the Rheo Morph Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 8, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Recent Events Prove They can be Held Safely and Effectively - Following the success of the Hospitality Design show in Las Vegas recently and the success of Salone, it is clear that NeoCon can happen this year as long as we tolerate a few minor inconveniences.
- Supersalone Off to Strong Start in Milan - Exhibitors are happy to be back in front of potential customers as well. Edoardo Carisi with Italian furniture maker Slide said he was surprised to see as many attendees during the first two days of the event.
- The Future of Design: Technology, Automation, and How We Should Respond - The problems our professions solve aren't going away, but the technology is transforming the way in which we solve those problems.
- Humanscale's Liberty Ocean Chair Joins Smart Ocean as the First Task Chairs Made from Recycled Fishing Nets - The Liberty Ocean chair joins 25 other Humanscale pieces, about 60% of sales, recognized by the International Living Future Institute's Living Product Challenge (LPC) as certified climate, water and energy positive.
- Evolving Enhancements. Marketplace Mediocrity. Incremental Changes Prove Underwhelming - The early focus of workplace ergonomics was on properly aligning the typing posture and providing healthful seating support for office workers. There was no shortage of seating introductions during this period, each reflecting some progress and improvement in either design or materials or their convergence to create optimal seated health and comfort.
- Logan Gatherum Joins INDEAL Cares - INDEAL Cares is focused on empowering our networks to create a sustainable, healthy workplace environment for employees within the commercial furniture industry.
- Gensler Research Shows Office is not Going Anywhere - Employees at top-performing companies also prioritize in-person work over virtual work, in particular for giving and receiving feedback.
- Stump & Company Outlines Opportunities at Recent Vegas Markets - 2021 will be a record M&A year globally and at Stump.
- Carrying on Tradition with a 21st Century Vision - Paula Kopischkie and Michael Isaac have purchased Jack Smith & Associates following Greg Smith's retirement.
- Not a Manager? 4 Ways to Apply Emotional Intelligence at Work - Whether you work in a virtual or IRL or hybrid arrangement, emotional and social intelligence can help us in being a good colleague.
- Stephen Says - "Seeing Through Glassdoors" - by Stephen Viscusi - All of us know about the major furniture manufacturers that are so proud when they make that famous Fortune Magazine's "Best Companies to Work For" list. Many of those same companies have some pretty mixed Glassdoor reviews.
- Upfront: INDEAL Opens Leadership Conference Registration To Its Dealer Members - Themed, "The Future Is Bright," the conference is scheduled to take place at San Diego's Pendry Hotel, Dec. 5–8, and will feature three sessions: The Future of the Workplace, The Future of the Worker and The Future of Work.
- Product Spotlight: Wolf-Gordon Collaborates with Museum of New Mexico For Origins Collection Update New Pattern Inspired by Traditional Weaving - Laguna explores the allure of New Mexico's dramatic, weathered landscape. Its large-scale striations and natural hues are reminiscent of Southwestern rock formations, but also pay homage to the region's rich craft heritage.
- PLACES - Cloud Spaces Coworking Offices – Abu Dhabi
- INDUSTRY PULSE - New Careers at S.P. Richards, Samuelson, Landscape Forms, Jasper Group, CallisonRTKL / New Threekit Features / Spellman Brady Certification / SPR Golf Tournament
- FIRST LOOKS - New Lighting from Lodes / Serge Ferrari Outdoor Upholstery / Arc-Com Wallcoverings / Designtex Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 1, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Where's Workplaces? And an Update on Our NeoCon Coverage (Including Where to Send Your Product Press Releases to Make it into Our NeoCon New Product Guide) - I'm going to write about the general tone of the show and the larger trends we see. Every year, folks reach out asking to set up appointments to visit their showrooms.
- CBRE, Sterling Bay Makes Major Push to Attract Furniture Showrooms to New Fulton Market Buildings; Fulton Market Design Days - Fulton Market has become one of the premiere neighborhoods in Chicago in recent years, led by Sterling Bay and its developments.
- Herman Miller Increases Use of Ocean-bound Plastic with Aeron Chair - Ocean-bound plastic is plastic material that has not yet found its way into the ocean and is classified as "mismanaged waste." That is, plastic that is not being collected, is unlikely to be collected and found within 31 miles of a coastline.
- What You Need to Know to Prepare for Neocon 2021 - Safety is top priority and event organizers know it's their responsibility to make people feel safe and comfortable.
- Fil Doux Textiles Breaks into Outdoor Market, but Sustainability is the Real Story - All of Fil Doux Textiles' products, including its new outdoor line, are produced using sustainable practices. Its mills are fully operable on solar and wind power and dye waters for fabrics are reclaimed and reused.
- Innovation Strikes Again: Big Thinking Finds a Smaller Audience - The leading thinkers in the office furniture industry recognized the workplaces they were furnishing were largely filled with and propelled by these knowledge workers and paying close attention to knowledge worker needs, behaviors, attitudes and preferences would be a key to their future success.
- More Putting a Greater Organizational Focus on Employee Experience - 72% of those surveyed are planning to implement end-to-end employee experience solutions in the next 24 months or are evaluating them.
- Rising Costs, Turnover and Greater Emphasis on DEI Force Dealers to Rethink their Approach to Compensation - As the industry continues to shift, Solomon Coyle continues to evolve the Compensation Survey.
- Stephen Says - "Eat, Pray, Love is Fine. Eat, Crunch and Work is Awful" - by Stephen Viscusi - Chewing on carrots, or eating anything, will always diminish your interactions over the phone and then your reputation. When you're speaking to a professional colleague, and especially a client, not being in the same room gives you no excuse to be unprofessional.
- Training & Development - "Relationship Selling: Developing New Business and Engaging Prospects" - by Sid Meadows - Most industries, including ours, are relationship based — but if you're a relationship-driven salesperson, you understand the challenges that exist in building new relationships, especially over the past 15-plus months. You also know how important relationships are for your success.
- Upfront: 9to5 Seating Products Re-Certified BIFMA LEVEL 1 - This latest BIFMA assessment once again confirms 9to5 Seating's commitment to transparency and sustainability in manufacturing its products.
- Product Spotlight: Graypants Introduces Dash; Beautiful, High-Performance Lighting for Brighter Workplaces - Dash represents the studio's first entry into technical lighting, with a striking fixture that extends Graypants' signature Scraplight series into a modern and minimalist high-performance piece. The new fixture was created using environmentally low-impact manufacturing processes — handmade in the Seattle studio and limiting material waste — and assembled with zero-VOC adhesive.
- PLACES - Unity Offices – Seoul
- INDUSTRY PULSE - Loll Welcomes Plumstead / SPR Awards / IIDA Winners / HD Expo Awards / COE Distributing / NeoCon Jury
- FIRST LOOKS - narbutas' Acoustic Artwork / Patcraft Reverse / Brentano Wallcoverings
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 25, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Celebrating the Industry in Life and Death - A couple of industry friends left us recently, and their lives should be celebrated. We ran an obituary last week for Alan Heller, one of the true characters in the office furniture industry. The industry also lost Jorge Lagueruela, the president and founder of Trinity Furniture.
- SPR: Not just Wholesale, the Whole Package - The largest category SPR serves is office products, but the two fastest growing are its jan-san (janitorial and sanitation) and furniture. Furniture, however, is the company's fastest growing category. SPR has invested heavily in furniture with its Lorell brand leading the way.
- What Can Nap Pods and Bicycles Teach Us about the Future Showroom Experience? - Think about the "compelling why" a customer would want to come to your showroom in the first place. Showrooms should move from an internal push — 'Come and see our new product!' — to an external pull — what actually draws a client in?
- Material Bank Acquires Global Design Procurement Platform Clippings - Material Bank, an innovator in the design sector, expands its presence into the European market with this strategic acquisition.
- Survey Finds Hybrid Work Will Vary By City, Company Size And Job Type Post-Pandemic - When it comes to hybrid work, there's a disconnect between what managers prefer and what employees expect.
- Explosive Growth. Co-Opted Innovation. The Economics of Square Footage Prevailed. - Systems furniture enabled manufacturers' salespeople, office furniture dealers and facilities professionals to convince corporate customers that density of cubicles — workstations as they were more positively referenced — was an advantageous use of office space.
- Spacestor Hits Market with Verandas — Massive Design Choice, Flexibility, and Sustainability in a Pod - Verandas features a patented acoustic seal and a user-adjustable patent-pending ventilation system. The pods are tech ready, which includes a network to bring in third-party devices. Any kind of electrical need can be placed anywhere in the pod.
- AIS Named by Boston Business Journal as One of the Most Charitable Companies in Massachusetts - AIS's stewardship extended throughout Massachusetts and beyond, with the company giving back more than $3.5 million in cash, in-kind and service contributions locally and across the country.
- Stephen Says - "A Better Option to Outside Sales?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Before I tell you some of my favorite places to work, I want to remind you that in inside sales (retail or trade), you're definitely inside, meaning, working in close proximity to your co-workers, your boss, the assistants, everyone.
- Training & Development - "Why having a Mentor is Essential to your Career" - by Sid Meadows - The benefits of having a mentor are tremendous and ongoing, because they provide advice, connections and support when you need it the most. Mentors help with career planning, teach you how to network effectively or negotiate work conditions and provide timely emotional support when business (and life, in general) gets difficult.
- Upfront: Jorge Antonio Lagueruela, President and Founder of Trinity Furniture October 6, 1956 ~ August 11, 2021 - In 1984 he co-founded Trinity Furniture, where he has been the president for 37 years.
- Product Spotlight: DeskMakers Puts a New Twist on Casegoods with Ribbon - Inspired by the simplicity of a ribbon, the collection features a light appearance that maximizes the smaller footprints in today's office environments.
- PLACES - Bolloré Logistics Offices – Singapore
- FIRST LOOKS - ErgoCentric, Arcadia, H Contract, nanimarquina
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 18, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Empire State of Mind - New York is an extremely important market for the office furniture industry for a variety of reasons. Because of its size and the huge number of important corporate headquarters there, a lot of office furniture is sold in the Big Apple. It is home to some of the world's largest dealers and design firms. Many furniture designers call New York home as well.
- Aiming to Revolutionize the Dealer Experience, SKG Broadens its Breadth Through Technology - SKG's geographical reach is coast-to-coast now, and it solves one-desk orders for home offices all the way up to helping universities receive back entire student bodies.
- ROOM Counts on Flexibility of its Products to Continue to Drive Growth in Phone Booth Segment - Need a ZOOM room? ROOM can help create it. Need a small meeting space for up to four people? You can create it with ROOM.
- Legrand | AV Brings Connected Spaces and Exceptional AV Experiences to CEDIA Expo 2021 - "We couldn't be more excited for the return of live events and are pulling out all the stops to mark the occasion," said Megan Knedler, director of marketing at Legrand | AV.
- Herman Miller Opens Experiential Retail Concept in Boston - Miller expands to Massachusetts, introducing a new way for Bostonians to experience performance seating and home office solutions.
- Nanimarquina Launches Contract Division and the FORMULA CONTRACT Collection - On the heels of its 35th anniversary, nanimarquina launched the Contract Division with the company's high-quality and locally sourced rugs to address the needs of the market with an enhanced focus on sustainability, durability and cleanability.
- Stephen Says - "The Employee's Market: Now is the Best Time to Get a Raise" - by Stephen Viscusi - It's an employee's market, whether you're at a dealer or a manufacturer. Ask for a minimum of 10% increase in your base but tell your employer that if you left you probably could get 20%.
- Upfront: Alan Jay Heller (1940 - 2021) - Alan founded Heller 50 years ago and all his life remained true to his vision of "Good design at affordable prices." With his rare combination of creativity and business acumen, he worked with some of the world's leading designers, including Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Vico Magistretti, Frank Gehry, and Philippe Starck, to make great design accessible through industrial production and technology.
- Exclaim Your Pointe: Introducing Pointe Mobile Glassboard Partition from Ghent - Pointe Mobile Glassboard Partition marries both collaboration and space division in a simple rolling partition. Featuring a powder-coated frame in a variety of colors, a curated palette of paint colors and introducing a variety of patterned glass, Pointe will fit into any space. With a glass writing surface and integrated connection system, the glassboard works equally on its own as a communication tool or as a divider by connecting multiple units together.
- PLACES - Taylor Wessing Offices – Liverpool
- FIRST LOOKS - Wolf-Gordon, Tarkett, Andreu World, Spacestor
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 11, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Make Vaccines a Requirement to Attend NeoCon - If you still don't feel safe going to an event like NeoCon, by all means, you should stay home. But I urge organizers to keep the events on schedule and not buckle to the pressure of those who would have us lock down once again. Simply put, another lockdown would be a disaster. It would crush our industry and many others.
- Prata: How Carl Magnusson Strived to Design the Perfect Conference Room Chair for Allseating - As an aficionado of vintage luxury cars, Magnusson integrated many automobile-inspired features into Prata's design. Its polished aluminum seat frame houses the aluminum side levers for adjustment.
- Creating Digital Equity in a Hybrid Workforce - While studies show it is best for the employer and employee if some sense of structure and guidelines are in place, clarity on the reasoning behind those policies is also critical.
- Kimball International Posts Solid Year; Outlook Positive - Revenues and orders increased progressively throughout the fourth quarter, reflecting positive momentum that has continued into July.
- An Industry Built on Agility: Major Players. Major Impact. - Nearly all the larger corporations significantly changed their product focus as they perceived market opportunities and the innovation potential each of their companies brought to the industry.
- How Will We Design Anew? NeoCon Announces 2021 Programming - Keynotes and special programming will be presented onsite at NeoCon and also be available for viewing via livestream. Onsite attendance will have limited capacity, and programming registration is required. Live Streams will be available to all NeoCon registrants via NeoCon's new online platform, the NeoCon Hub (and do not require separate registration).
- Steven Bramson Named President of Innovative Ergonomic Solutions - Bramson will be responsible for growing IES's global footprint and overseeing the sales, product development and customer service functions across IES's constellation of brands, which include HAT Collective, Innovative Design Works, CompuCaddy and ErgoTech.
- Stephen Says - "Dealers a Necessary Evil? I Think Not" - by Stephen Viscusi - Get it right. Furniture dealers play an important role that all manufacturers need and should respect. They sell and service your product in a way you never could.
- Upfront: INDEAL University Provides Ongoing Industry Learning Through Reinvented Platform - The latest additions to the platform include an original collection of Fast Facts videos that address subjects ranging from industry basics, to sales strategies, to sustainability, and a new Perspectives series of candid interviews with people across the industry, sharing their unique viewpoints and experience.
- Product Spotlight: Magnuson Group Introduces SOLNA Family of Sanitization and PPE Stations - Magnuson Group has expanded its high design ancillary product line with SOLNA, a sophisticated family of sanitization and PPE stations compatible with VALUTA and SOTARE waste and recycling receptacles. Designed for a new normal prioritizing hygiene and cleanliness, SOLNA is an all-in-one solution for office entry points, health care waiting rooms, higher education spaces and other communal areas.
- PLACES - Lantmannen Unibake Offices – Copenhagen
- FIRST LOOKS - Trinity, Nevins, Springboard
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - August 2021
- WHERE I'M WORKING: EVERYWHERE - I love driving. I love exploring. I love wilderness scenery. I love road trips. I also love photography and have been photographing landscapes across the United States for the past 20 years. It's my passion and my side hustle. But I also love my job here at Bellow Press, so I had to figure out a way to do both.
- 7 IN 10 WORKERS STILL IMPROVISING AT-HOME WORKSPACE, 16 MONTHS LATER - Two out of three workers we surveyed (64%) say their body is less supported at home than it was at their office before the pandemic, 78% say they would use a more supportive chair if their employer paid for it, and 50% of remote workers say the physical pain of working at home is enough to make them long for a return to the office.
- HOW TO TAKE AN EFFECTIVE TECH BREAK - Boundaries with technology undoubtedly benefit our emotional and mental health. We owe it to ourselves to discover more ways to foster supportive habits. While technology is a hassle free way to connect, it will eventually wear down on your health. We hope you try to implement at least one of these TECHniques to feel more in control of your screen time and benefit emotion-ally and mentally along the way.
- IT'S TIME TO THINK ABOUT NEURODIVERSITY AND DESIGN - No formal definition of neurodiversity exists, with vigorous conversations debating exactly who fits the label. Broadly speaking, developmental disorders and learning disabilities fall under the term neurodiversity. If there's no standard way to design for neurodiversity, what is the practical takeaway for designers? Offer choice. Monolithic interiors that assume everyone works or behaves in the same manner are a kind of psychological cubicle.
- STUDY: YOUNG WORKERS NOW VALUE RESPECT OVER FUN PERKS IN THE WORKPLACE - Margaret Duffy, executive director of the Novak Leadership Institute believes employers risk losing younger employees if they don't make an effort to use respectful communication in the workplace. While previous studies have reported leaders and managers spend 70-90% of their time communicating, LaGree believes this study shows more emphasis needs to be placed on training leaders and managers on how to be effective communicators and convey respectful communication with their employees.
- ROBIN HOOD MEETS THE OFFICE: HOW CORPORATE MANAGERS TRY TO FIX WORKPLACE INJUSTICES BY GIVING EMPLOYEES SECRET PERKS - Managers with an especially strong moral code can consider it their duty to right the wrongs they see, and to compensate victims in hidden ways — out of view of the top brass. Middle managers are in an especially tricky position because they can't punish the transgressor — their boss — but they want to keep the workers beneath them feel they are treated fairly.
- TWICE AS NICE: SVIGALS + PARTNERS COMPLETES DUAL WORKPLACES FOR LEADING ED-TECH PROVIDER TECHNOLUTIONS - "Bringing this unique vision to life — not in one office, but in two simultaneously — was an exciting challenge," said Katherine Berger, Svigals + Partners' associate and director of interior design.
- CONEXUS STUDIO DESIGNS NU SKIN SOUTHEAST ASIA'S FUTURE FORWARD OFFICE - Designed with employee feedback on their working needs and preferences, the design supports the diverse ways Nu Skin employees like to work. The wide variety of work settings include a lifestyle café, hospitality-inspired lounge settings, private pods, phone booths and height-adjustable desks. To ensure a balance of vibrancy and privacy in the open layout, a progressive zoning approach was adopted, with social and focus work areas delineated with different materials.
- REVIEWS: BESTEK 300W POWER INVERTER - Before home offices became all the rage, the first "mobile" offices were our cars. In fact, our cars remain a part of our mobile offices. Whether traveling for business or vacation, a lot of us rely on our cars to get some work done.
- REVIEWS: APPLE WATCH SERIES 6 - I could use the watch to quickly check text messages and Snapchats. But beyond that, it is hard to see the point of shelling out hundreds of dollars for a watch that isn't particularly attractive on the wrist. Our phones are a pocket away (and they tell time, too). Why add another digital product to your wrist?
Business of Furniture - August 4, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Office Space Counts in Large Amounts During the Great Resignation - If the office you work in stinks, chances are you won't want to return. That means companies must create compelling spaces for its workers, or they will simply walk away and find a new job, one where the office design inspires their work and prompts them to come into the space everyday.
- Transform Your Business by Putting People First - I highly recommend a people-first review of your internal and external interactions. Identify how you can remove barriers, find the best tools for the job and automate repetitive work and processes.
- Looking Back to Look Ahead: What We Can Learn About the Industry Today by Examining the Past - The early iterations of the office, in its various forms, were furnished with furniture made primarily from wood. Areas like West Michigan capitalized on the juxtaposition of plentiful timber and sufficiently sizeable rivers conducive to logging to become centers for the design and production of wood furniture, for both residential and business application.
- HNI Reports Earnings for Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2021 - Second quarter 2021 revenue was up approximately nine percent from the second quarter of 2020, on an organic basis.
- Design, Sharing and Sustainability Awaits at Supersalone - The mix of digital and in-person presence will allow those unable to be physically present to observe the products on exhibit, visit the exhibitions virtually and attend the talks and lectures.
- CNN Looks at Workplace Revolution During 'Foreseeable Future' Event - The consensus was clear: The office moving forward will be changed forever by the pandemic. How that will look moving forward remains unclear, even to the tech industry leaders called together for the roundtable.
- Arden Studio Aims to Elevate Shared Environments New Design-Focused Custom Glass Solutions - Combining innovation, meticulous attention to quality, and a commitment to artful and sustainable design, Arden Studio incorporates environmental mindfulness into every design decision.
- Moroso at Casa Italia for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - Moroso is participating as a technical partner in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with the Impossible Wood chairs designed by the Anglo-Indian duo Doshi Levien.
- Stephen Says - "Working on Planes, Trains, and in Automobiles" - by Stephen Viscusi - On planes, trains or in automobiles, you really need to be aware of your surroundings and what you are working on. I've noticed the exact same behavior on planes and trains, and in NYC I do not even understand how people can think talking business in elevators of office buildings is an acceptable practice.
- Training & Development - "Habits To Propel You To The Success You Want" - by Sid Meadows - As a high performance coach, I talk about habits with my clients each and every coaching session. We discuss the importance of habits, how to build them and which ones are important for them personally.
- Upfront: Special-T Awarded Group Purchasing Agreement with Premier - The new agreement allows Premier members to take advantage of special pricing and terms pre-negotiated by Premier for all Special-T products. It became effective July 1.
- Product Spotlight: Indiana Furniture Converges Traditional Styling and Modern Sensibility with Jefferson Enhancements - The enhancements broaden the line's ability to outfit more areas and applications across entire facilities and include options to better support personalization and overall productivity.
- PLACES - Maserati Offices – Shanghai
- FIRST LOOKS - 3form, Via Seating, Integra, Hushoffice
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 28, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: MillerKnoll Branding Must Earn its own Legacy - We were introduced this past week to a "new" company in our industry, MillerKnoll. Of course, it is not a new company, but the renamed brand of the combined Herman Miller and Knoll.
- Yes, CIFF is Happening in Shanghai in September (but you still can't attend) - More than 2,000 exhibitors will be at CIFF Shanghai this year, occupying an area of 400,000 square meters, and more than 150,000 buyers, mainly from China due to the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Chinese government.
- Registration Opens for Orgatec 2022 - ORGATEC, which is hosted biannually in Cologne, has a strong focus on topical issues, it serves as a creative hotspot for networking, collaboration and new trends in interior design.
- 12 Design Industry Podcasts You Should Be Listening To - Perhaps you haven't been listening to podcasts about design because you just didn't know where to find them.
- A New Design-Focused Manufacturer Specializing in Custom Glass Solutions to Elevate Shared Environments - With an initial soft launch in 2020, Arden Studio was established to create elegant and safer spaces in shared settings and workplaces.
- Versteel Introduces New Adjustable Height Option for the Maker Project - The electronic, height-adjustable table arrived mainly from customer demand. Versteel was quick to respond as it could easily accommodate that from its onsite manufacturing site in Jasper, Indiana.
- Jump in Bookings and Backlogs, Continued Optimism Evident in the Quarter's Market Outlook Report - Bookings are up 15.4%, surpassing dealer expectations of 6.1% from last quarter's survey.
- Stephen Says - "You Named Your Child What? MillerKnoll is Born!" - by Stephen Viscusi - I have friends and customers who seem to resent the new conglomerate's name. To be honest with you Stephen, I can't believe I'm even taking the time to write a letter to you about this, but it's all anyone can talk about this week. Like every new development in this epic merger, the industry is having to take the time to process each new change and react to the news.
- Upfront: IIDA NY Chapter Elects President for 2021-2022 Term - St. Léger boasts almost a decade of experience in health care design, having worked for New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Tobin | Parnes Design and NYU Langone Health. Her previous leadership in IIDA NY includes that of residential forum co-chair and health care forum co-chair.
- Product Spotlight: Kimball Announces the Newest Addition to their Diverse Seating Portfolio and Additional Product Enhancements - Kimball's newest seating offering, Melora, is flexible enough to handle today's active work environment and accommodate the future needs as workspaces change over time. Its fully coordinated offering includes task, half-back task, side chair and stools.
- PLACES - Vanke Offices – Guangzhou
- FIRST LOOKS - BuzziSpace, HAT Collective, Carnegie, Keilhauer
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 21, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Catching Some Rays: The Case for Creating Office Furniture for the Great Outdoors - Outdoor furniture products can (and are) being used by people working outside — both at home and at the increasing number of corporate campuses adding outdoor work areas.
- Former Herman Miller CEO Brian Walker Joins ROOM's Board of Directors - During his tenure, Walker positioned Herman Miller as a premium lifestyle brand, serving consumers and contract customers across multiple channels.
- Herman Miller and Knoll Announce New Name for Combined Company: MillerKnoll - Guided by a shared vision, common values, and a steadfast commitment to design, MillerKnoll innovates and designs the future for all the places where life happens while contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
- IIDA Announces 2021 Leaders Virtual Event - The event will be Friday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. Central time via the Socio platform and feature regional programming from seven cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
- Aura Seating Creates First Furniture Designed for Yoga Lifestyle - The ideals behind yoga are key to Aura Seating. Instead of forcing the user to adapt to a product, Aura believes the product should adapt to the users.
- Established & Sons at Maharam - Maharam and Established & Sons share a commitment to delivering new perspectives via material and technical innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- North Carolina Takes Bold Action Adopting Nation's Most Holistic Design Practice Law - Prior to Bill S188, interior designers were not recognized as a distinct profession by the state of North Carolina. By codifying the rights and abilities of interior designers, North Carolina is also bolstering the safety of the built environment for its citizens.
- Inscape Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results - Sales in the fourth quarter and fiscal 2021 were 44.3% and 49.6% lower than the same periods of the previous year primarily related to the economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
- Stephen Says - "My Company Has Been Bought By A Private Equity Firm: Do I Stay Or Do I Go?" - by Stephen Viscusi - So far, I feel my job is safe, and they've kept the bones of the original company, but I'm just not sure I feel comfortable with the direction we're going in.
- Training & Development - "The Most Powerful Sales Tool You Need to Start Using Today " - by Sid Meadows - Cold calling is ineffective, if not dead completely. The success rate of true cold calls is less than 2%, and the success rate of cold emails is less than 3% — so simply put, only two to three people out of 100 will actually respond to these methods.
- Upfront: ergoCentric Opens showroom&store in the Square One Shopping Centre - Items available for sale include ergoCentric's industry-leading tCentric Hybrid high-performance task chair, electric, height-adjustable tables and ergonomic office accessories.
- Product Spotlight: HAT Collective Introduces the Elle Collection - As the workplace changes and continues to evolve, HAT Collection has introduced its new Elle collection, which offers flexibility to employers and workers to choose workspace solutions that best meet their needs.
- PLACES - Rosbank Headquarters – Moscow
- FIRST LOOKS - Designtex, National Office, Unika Vaev, Teknion, DuraCare
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-July - Mid-August, 2021
- FREIGHT AND SHIPPING ACCOUNTING - LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL - "Freight in" is defined in the IRS Tax Guide for Small Business as "freight-in, express-in, and cartage-in on raw materials, supplies you use in production, and merchandise you purchase for sale, are all part of cost of goods sold."
- DUET RESOURCE GROUP EXPERIENCE CENTER SELECTED AS 2021 MILWAUKEE MAYOR'S DESIGN AWARD RECIPIENT - The Duet Resource Group Experience Center sits at the borders of The Third Ward, Walker's Point and Harbor District neighborhoods. The building was originally built and occupied by the Pawling and Harnischfeger machine pattern making facility.
- IN QUIRKY, HUGE ATLANTA MARKET, CWC OFFICE FURNITURE HAS SHINED FOR MORE THAN 90 YEARS - CWC Office Furniture has come out on top as the largest office furniture dealer in the Atlanta market. CWC knows that being the biggest in the market comes with a big responsibility. Along with its own installation crews and fleet of trucks, the company maintains a 175,000 square foot warehouse and has additional locations in Macon and Columbus, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- TANGRAM NAMED AMONG 'BEST PLACES TO WORK IN ORANGE COUNTY' FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR BY OC BUSINESS JOURNAL - Organizations from across the county entered via a two-part process. The first consisted of evaluating each employer's workplace policies, practices and demographics. The second consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience.
- RIEKE OFFICE INTERIORS HIRES BILL NICHOLSON AS DIRECTOR OF SALES - Nicholson, a Geneva resident, described his new role as providing continual process improvements to sales operations and business development. Additionally, he also provides training, development and support to the sales, design and project management teams.
- INDEAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE SET FOR DECEMBER IN SAN DIEGO - Speakers at the invitation-only event include Kay Sargent, senior principal and director of workplace at HOK, who will talk about the future of the workplace, and Dan Negroni, a leadership coach and expert on how younger generations are affecting the workplace. A third keynote is in the works and will be announced in the next few weeks.
- ALFRED WILLIAMS & CO. FINALIZES ACQUISITION OF WORKPLACE RESOURCE - Alfred Williams & Co., based in Raleigh and with a Triad showroom in Colfax, has finalized its acquisition of Workplace Resource, headquartered in Austin, Texas. The deal comes as employers around the country consider bringing workers back to the office amid the pandemic.
- GIBSON INTERIOR PRODUCTS WELCOMES TWO HIRES - Both come from the Bill Gross Agency where they have more than 20 years of experience combined in the contract furniture industry building relationships with dealers and A&D firms serving the New York community.
- RHUBOTTOM JOINS ARBEE ASSOCIATES AS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER - Rhubottom's previous experience includes a background in interior design and manufacturer representation in flooring and furniture with DatesWeiser, Mosaic Tile Company and AECOM.
- THE SMART CITY SANDBOX - The IBI Smart City Sandbox in Toronto creates a new environment that encourages idea incubation, development and acceleration to be shared by external partners and in-house technology developers.
- ATMOSPHERE COMPLETES ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH FUTURES CENTER - Atmosphere and Arizona, ASU and DFDG Architecture worked diligently to create a state-of-the-art facility designed to maximize the amount of interdepartmental shared spaces to generate ongoing opportunities across the Mayo Clinic and ASU Alliance for Health Care.
Business of Furniture - July 14, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: The Most Iconic Office Furniture of All Time: What’s on Your List? - I recently read an article at vogue.com outlining the most iconic furniture of all time. Not surprisingly, more than a few pieces born of the office furniture industry made the list.
- Framery Responds to Shifting Office Vibes — Announcing a New Color Palette and Pod Enhancements - The new palette joins Framery's existing color options, including the highly sought-after Piglet Pink, 50s Blue and Lemon.
- Hackathons Aren't Just for Tech Companies: Accelerating Positive Disruption in the Interiors Industry - The SANDOW Design Group (SDG) Hackathon, led by ThinkLab, tackled a crucial topic for driving economic success: exploring business development in this increasingly digital era.
- Introducing Wildwood House: A Curated, Multifaceted Shop With Purposeful Solutions that Elevate Everyday Life at Work, Home & Play - People's home offices need to be designed with intention to ensure they can do their best work and be their best selves when they are working from home.
- Coworking Pioneer Venture X Partners with Vari to Elevate New U.S. Properties - "Venture X is a visionary, high-growth company, and we can't wait to watch them scale. We're excited to be there throughout the journey," said Jason McCann, chief executive officer and co-founder of Vari.
- Kimball International Launches Simplified, Multi-Branded Customer Experience - The company's sales and service organizational structure has migrated from branded selling teams to a more collaborative organization designed around a broad portfolio of brands and solutions.
- Encore's Latest Collection Puts a New Spin on Seating - Encore introduces Loupe, a spirited collection of rotating stools and accompanying tables that cultivate togetherness, foster creativity and add a level of whimsy wherever they go.
- Stephen Says - "My Boss is an Uber Racist! What Do I Do?" - by Stephen Viscusi - What a story. So you now know your boss selects her Uber car not by XL, pool or SUV, but by the race and gender of the driver. Wow.
- Upfront: Lesro Industries Launches LesroCreate - Users are able to configure product attributes such as upholstery and frame finish. Options such as casters, arm pads and swivel tablets are also configurable. Many of Lesro's most popular product lines are available on LesroCreate with more lines to follow soon.
- Product Spotlight: Teknion Elevates the Affordable Work Chair with Two Distinct New Offerings - Visio features everything required in a work chair with a level of refinement and comfort that's not typical of chairs at value price points under $350.
- PLACES - Yinson Offices – Kuala Lumpur
- FIRST LOOKS - Arc-Com, Fräsch, Encore
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 7, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Get Back to the Office Now: Workers Who Refuse to Return to the Office Should be Fired - As companies dust off the cobwebs and return to the office, they are looking for guidance, experience and expertise from the office furniture industry. Our advice should begin with this: The only way for your workforce to be fully efficient is to bring all of your employees back to the office.
- NARBUTAS Celebrates its 30th Anniversary: Pandemic didn't Stop Business Growth - Since the start of 2020, NARBUTAS has launched or unveiled additions to 13 office furniture collections which reflect changes in office spaces.
- Perkins Eastman's New Downtown Studio Demonstrates New Ways of Working in a Hybrid World - Open workshop spaces lined with felt panels, magnetic whiteboards, and display monitors, provide ample opportunities for teams to scrum together with the design process on full display.
- Herman Miller Posts Strong Quarter; Adds Color to Knoll Acquisition in Letter to Investors - Consolidated net sales for the quarter of $621.5 million were up by 30.6% compared to last year and up 27.9% organically, which excludes the impact of foreign currency translation.
- WorkBetter Lab Reimagines the Workplace of the Future - The five distinct zones of the WorkBetter Lab offer employers the chance to explore and adapt environments that bring new thinking to life.
- Tech Helping Tech: Construction and Real Estate Trends Driving Firms to Different Workspaces and Locations - By leveraging quantitative and qualitative data to create a workplace that maximizes space utilization and balances every individual, their personality, workstyle and role, tech firms can create their own competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining top talent.
- The First Step Toward an Effective IT Strategy - IT accountability should sit with the leaders who are in the thick of it, who understand your people and processes and can evaluate technology from a business perspective rather than financial.
- Byrne Celebrates 50th Anniversary; Cements Future with New Batch of Interns - For Byrne students and employees alike, it's a culture of goodwill that often extends far beyond the length of the internship itself.
- Compusoft and 2020 to Combine in Merger of Equals - The merger of Compusoft and 2020 positions the combined company as a trusted provider whose suite of solutions supports designers, manufacturers and retailers.
- Mannington Commercial Acquiring AtlasMasland Assets - During the transition phase, AtlasMasland will continue to manufacture products for Mannington Commercial until the equipment assets are fully operational at rhe Calhoun facility.
- Priveq Becomes Growth Partner to ROL - The Hjelm family has been the driving force behind ROL's development since 1985 when the entrepreneur Kaj Hjelm took over the company, at that time a project management business.
- Stephen Says - "Dealer Salesperson Woes: I Haven't Made My Draw in Months!" - by Stephen Viscusi - Business is coming back again, but it's a slow process. The tone of your letter seems to let me know that you're committed to the industry, and I don't think you're ready to throw in the towel. But I do have some solid suggestions for you.
- Upfront: Legrand Announces Leadership Change - Legrand has moved Scott Bausch to vice president and general manager of the Pass & Seymour product line and welcomed Pung Chan to the electrical division as the vice president and general manager of Wiremold product line.
- Product Spotlight: Via Seating releases Moon Tables - The rhythm of the moon's phases has guided humanity for millennia. Moon Tables, the latest design by Diemmebi R&D, lets you match the same pairs of legs to the tabletop you prefer. They use a polyester powder finish, perfect for outdoor use and stack three high.
- PLACES - Sigdo Koppers Offices – Santiago
- FIRST LOOKS - Mohawk, Extremis, DuraCare, Carnegie
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - July 2021
- WHERE I'M WORKING: TANGERINE EATERY, PRICE, UTAH - Price is a small town, kind of in the middle of nowhere. Typically it is not a destination, but a place people pass through when going somewhere else. But if you ever find yourself in Eastern Utah and need to stop for a meal, the Tangerine Eatery is definitely a great choice.
- 10 AMAZON ITEMS YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU NEEDED FOR YOUR HOME OFFICE THIS SUMMER - This summer is already a little different from last, so whether you are working from the office, home, or any combination of the two, there will be something on this list that should help you out.
- HOW BRANDED ENVIRONMENTS SPARK CONVERSATION AND FOSTER CONNECTION - Designing a space that has brand clarity and conviction around a company's values and vision, while allowing those values and that vision to evolve and grow, invites conversation with its users.
- BURNOUT CRISIS AT WORK THREATENS POST-PANDEMIC WORKPLACES - Burnout leads to turnover, but that can be mitigated by intentional remote work policies and inclusive, empathic leadership. Effectively implemented, remote and flexible work options for employees ultimately help organizations have access to more talent and less turnover as well as increased innovation and productivity.
- 69% OF WORKING MOTHERS HAVE NO INTENTION OF RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE - If employers want to reap the benefits that come with having a gender-balanced organization, then they will need to commit to providing benefits and implementing programs that better accommodate and support mothers in the workplace.
- SURVEY REVEALS COMPANIES ARE STRUGGLING TO ACT ON THEIR GOOD INTENTIONS TO BRING DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION TO THEIR ORGANIZATIONS - Many respondents indicated while their organization intends for their DE&I leader to have access to senior leadership and financial resources, they are not yet there.
- ALLYSHIP IS KEY TO CREATING INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES - Allyship is necessary for psychological safety. Teams where workers feel psychologically safe bringing their views to the table, and where their relationships with other team members are strong enough to allow them to do so in an assertive yet constructive way, will be well-positioned to engage in productive friction — the ability to draw out conflict and learn from disagreements to generate new insights.
- TWO22 IN MINNEAPOLIS FILLED WITH AMENITIES - NELSON Worldwide used its building repositioning experience to upgrade the main entry, first floor and second floor atrium, tenant amenity lounge, conference center, building management office, elevator lobbies, fitness center, coffee shop, full service restaurant and bar, retail spaces, and marketing suite.
- 55 YONGE RISES IN THE HEART OF TORONTO'S FINANCIAL DISTRICT - The ten floors of office space are designed for the contemporary worker in a post-Covid world, supported by efficient layouts and full use of the building's indoor and outdoor amenities.
- REVIEWS: ROCKETBOOK FUSION SMART REUSABLE NOTEBOOK - Rocketbooks are like normal notebooks, but allow the user to capture the pages digitally, making them easy to store and share. The Rocketbook Fusion comes in two sizes — the slightly smaller executive size, which is 6-by-8.8 inches and the larger letter size that is 8.5-by-11 inches.
- REVIEWS: GIGA LOUNGER - Depending on how casual your company is, one answer might be the GIGA Lounger, an inflatable lounge chair that packs away in a bag when not in use. Billed as the "world's first one-key automatic inflatable lounger," the GIGA Lounger is a playful, well-built, mobile lounger that would be fun to have in the right office.
Business of Furniture - June 30, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: How BoF Mines Normally Bland SEC Filings for Gold - In the past two weeks, Business of Furniture has presented two compelling stories about the Herman Miller acquisition of Knoll.
- Lorell Helps Dealers with Wide Range of Smartly Designed, Affordable Products - Lorell is owned by SP Richards but operates as an independent brand under its furniture category. It is open to the company's entire customer base and focuses on products that are affordably priced, high quality and readily available for next day delivery.
- Do Generations Matter in Workplace Strategy? The Answer May Surprise You - Perhaps generational preferences have a place in marketing, advertising and politics, but in workplace strategy, tvsdesign suggests they should be taken with a grain of salt.
- Turf Design Paints A Bigger Picture: New Scanlines Innovation Operates at the Intersection of Art, Architecture and Technology - Scanlines is a truly custom product for every customer, beginning with a conversation with the designer.
- Steelcase Posts Better Than Expected First Quarter Results - At the end of the first quarter, the company's backlog of customer orders was approximately $624 million, which was 20% lower than the prior year, but approximately $175 million, or 39% higher than at the end of the fourth quarter.
- Learning By Doing. Or NOT Doing - If we're not directly interacting with each other in the workplace, even and especially informally, we may not be as effective as we thought.
- HAT Collective Announces Happiness at Work CEU - The CEU is part of several new resources HAT Collective is making available to the design community.
- IIDA NY Chapter Announces Partnership with Equity Council - To assist organizations open to conversations about racial equity, Equity Council has established a cross-sector pledge tailored specifically to the architecture and design community.
- Stephen Says - "Desperate HR Manager: 'Tell Me The Secret! How Do We Attract the Best Candidates?'" - by Stephen Viscusi - I am happy to share some tips for manufacturers and dealers to recruit employees themselves, because the better we all do, the better the industry does. However, keep in mind recruiters are able to use different tips and secrets that can never be duplicated by a company which recruits directly.
- Training & Development - "In-Person Events Are Back, Now What? " - by Sid Meadows - The return of these events means the return of networking, and while not everyone is a fan of networking, it's a critical activity to grow your business, find a new job and develop meaningful relationships in business.
- Upfront: Prevolv and Inscape to Move to Fulton Market - The 12,000-square-foot showroom will display Inscape and Prevolv's extensive product portfolios for their growing clientele in Chicago and its surrounding areas. Designed to be a one-stop shop for contract furniture solutions, the space features an educational product lab to help clients complete the design and fulfillment process all under one roof.
- Product Spotlight: Indiana Furniture Takes Canvas and Gesso Casegoods To A New Level of Design - Indiana Furniture is beginning to take orders for new additions to the popular Canvas Laminate and Gesso Veneer casegoods. The enhancements expand the lines' design flexibility and amplify functionality within a broad range of working environments to better support personalization and overall productivity.
- PLACES - NIB Offices – Sao Paulo
- FIRST LOOKS - Source International, Moroso, BDI
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 23, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: We are Living in a Hybrid World. Time to Embrace it. - The future of work is definitely hybrid. Sometimes people are going to work from home. Other times, they're going to exercise the choice to go into the office. And sometimes it's going to be somewhere in between.
- Internally Called NewCo, Deal to Combine Herman Miller and Knoll Coming Together Quicker Than Expected, Though Not Every Executive will be Around When Dust Settles - Several members of the Knoll team will leave the organization, including Andrew Cogan.
- AmTab Makes School More Fun, Colorful and Comfortable - AmTab has products that use vibrant colors, graphics with school mascots and inspirational words, wall decor and signage that brings lunch rooms alive and turns them into places where students enjoy going.
- Designing With Empathy — Handholding is a Meaningful Part of the Process - As the industry strives for human-centered design, empathy is emerging as one of the most important pillars to consider.
- Haworth Hotel Shows Versatility of Company's Portfolio of Products - With 48 guestrooms, including a brand-new suite and 14 conference spaces, the Haworth Hotel is a blend of residential and commercial products — durable enough to withstand years of accommodating guests and with a vibe that feels like home.
- Rescheduled High Point Market Makes Strong Showing - The high-end furniture sector has regained momentum in the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 period, with decorators enjoying huge new business with remodeling and second (or third) home purchases by more affluent customers.
- Teknion Introduces Future Smart, an Optimistic Path Forward - Envisioning a future of informed optimism, Teknion shares ways to design for uncertainty.
- Stephen Says - "2021 is The Year of The Quit" - by Stephen Viscusi - People are leaving their jobs, and more than half say it has nothing to do with being required to come back to work but "it's just time for a change."
- Upfront: 2020 Global Inspiration Contest Winners Announced - There were nine categories designers were encouraged to submit to, and more than 445 submissions were received this year.
- Product Spotlight: Arc-Com Launches Angle and Hove - The palette for pattern Angle captures the colors of the rainbow and groups them into visually pleasing combinations. The newly released Hove wallcovering pattern is an organic woven netting textural design, highlighting the multi-dimensional layering of sheer netting woven fabric.
- PLACES - Scott.Weber Workspace Praga Office & Garden – Prague
- FIRST LOOKS - Via Seating, Carnegie, Allsteel, 3form, Leland
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 16, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: It'll Cost You 25 Bucks to Attend NeoCon. Don't be a Cheapskate. - NeoCon isn't charging $25 as a revenue stream. They are charging the fee so they know how many people will actually be at the fall event.
- The Great Rehiring is Beginning - Employers are ready to welcome their workers back as restrictions lift and America prepares for the New Next while in real life connections resume.
- The Deal that Nearly Never Happened: SEC Filing Shows Knoll Faced Issuance of 'Going Concern Warning' Prior to Herman Miller Acquisition; Courted Other Suitors - Companies' auditors are required to include in their annual report a "going concern" qualification if they have substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern over the next 12 months.
- Zgo Technologies Bridges the Gap Between Furniture and Technology - Zgo brands itself not as an ergonomic company, nor as a monitor arm company, but a workspace technology company that focuses on how people use technology in their workstations.
- How One A&D Firm Made the Most of the Lost Year - Throughout the past year, curiosity about how things can be done virtually, experimenting with various technologies and platforms to provide the best user experience, and evolving its own hybrid working model has helped Eastlake to prepare as a firm for its next chapter.
- Vitra Introduces Club Office Concept - The Club Office is characterized by an open and inviting atmosphere. At the same time, its furnishings are functionally conceived so every spot can be used as a productive workspace.
- After Donating More than 600,000 Facemasks to Over 500 Organizations Nationwide, AIS Wraps Up Philanthropic Program - AIS was recognized in September 2020 on the floor of the House of Representatives by Massachusetts Rep. James McGovern for the Sew the Masks initiative.
- Stephen Says - "Are You A Superstitious Salesperson? I Sure Hope So (Knock on Wood)" - by Stephen Viscusi - By this point you might have a sense of how I feel about superstitions. I started my career in sales, and I must admit I consider myself superstitious. I am willing to do anything that might offer me a slight edge.
- Training & Development - "Is the Lunch-N-Learn Dead?" - by Sid Meadows - One of the most coveted meetings to get with an A&D firm has always been a "lunch and learn." To get on the calendar with the major firms, you have to schedule these events way in advance — sometimes starting in January, to ensure you get your spot.
- Upfront: HÅG Capisco Giveaway - You can win a customized HÅG Capisco in a contest that runs through June 27. Three winners will be announced June 28 on 9to5's social media.
- Product Spotlight: Via Seating Introduces Muir - Muir is Via Seating's newest lounge chair. It features a simple wire outer frame and comfortable, dense cushioning. With its deliberately low profile, Muir intuitively creates a casual sit with perfect seat and back angle positioning which work for a respite break from the workday or provide guests with an inviting, comfortable seat.
- PLACES - Saint-Gobain Offices – Hanoi
- FIRST LOOKS - Arcadia, Air Innovations, Trendway, Wolf-Gordon
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-June, 2021
- WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE SPOTLIGHT: 5 WAYS THAT FOCUSING ON AUTONOMY CAN POSITIVELY IMPACT ORGANIZATIONAL WELL-BEING - Before us stands a time to rewrite our scripts and reinvent the quality and texture of how we spend our time accomplishing the full spectrum of daily goals that make up our lifestyles. Business models that ensure environments where employees flourish through the ability to exercise autonomy in daily work operations and healthy lifestyle choices ultimately enable well-being and engagement.
- HOW DESIGN CAN INCREASE WELLNESS - The WELL building standard has become the leading tool to improve human health in homes and offices across the world. Initially focused on the commercial office space, WELL has recently turned its attention to health care environments. Understanding the science behind promoting health outcomes through design is a key step toward improving patient safety, progress and quality of care.
- SUPPORT OUR WORK TOWARD A HEALTHY LIFE: TAKE THE INDEAL CARES EMPLOYEE WELLNESS SURVEY - The insights obtained from this year's survey will build on IDEAL's knowledge, provide a better understanding about employee wishes for returning to the workplace safely.
- ONE WORKPLACE BELIEVES A HEALTHY WORKFORCE LEADS TO HEALTHY BUSINESS - For nearly a decade, One Workplace has been named a top employer in the Bay Area — no small feat given the competition there. The work with its own employees has allowed One Workplace to help its customers as well. As the San Francisco Bay Area begins to open along with its other markets in the Pacific Northwest, One Workplace is helping its customers safely get back to work. One Workplace has always been about serving its customers in whatever way is needed. The roots of the company go back to a bookstore founded in the 1920s in downtown San Jose by the Lindsay family.
- KFI STUDIOS ROLLS OUT NEW WEBSITE - The new site, which includes easier access to product information and support materials like high-res images, brochures and symbols, also adds a new feature — "Build Your Own."
- INDEAL ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH HOPEWELL - Hopewell is taking its research platform directly to INDEAL dealer members, offering discounted licensing and partnership opportunities.
- HOPEWELL HELPS DEALERS MEASURE WX (WORK EXPERIENCE) - Designed by world-class consumer experience researchers, Hopewell's WX assessment elicits meaningful insights about how, when and where employees reach peak performance. "The future of the workplace will be data-driven and worker-centered," said Continental Office CEO Ira Sharfin. "Our designers know it, and now the Hopewell WX Assessment gives us a common language to help our clients discover it, too."
- WORKPLACE RESOURCE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH CORPORATE SOURCE - Two leading dealers team up to transform Colorado's commercial furniture scene.
- AIS LAUNCHES RELATIONSHIP WITH SOCAL AIS - SoCal AIS combines the efforts of Ron Frantz, principal at Sculptural Spaces, and Ashlie Collins, principal at Bentwood Design in Los Angeles.
- WORKSCAPES CEO ELIZABETH DVORAK JOINS THE CEO COUNCIL OF TAMPA BAY - CEO Council membership offers access to collaborative focus groups who can get answers to pressing issues. It also offers rewarding and educational social experiences to help grow influence in non-traditional settings.
Business of Furniture - June 9, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Lean into the Curves - Over the course of a lifetime of riding, I've learned a few lessons about motorcycling that can be used in the office furniture industry. First, if you don't know what you are doing, both are dangerous pastimes for participants.
- Spring Breakout Wraps in Chicago with the First Live Office Interiors Event Since the Start of the Pandemic - Jim Ford, vice president of dealer development for Fellowes Contract Interiors said, "It was great to get out and meet the customers in-person."
- Economy Booms Causing Spike in Raw Materials Critical to Office Furniture Industry Like Lumber, Steel - The office furniture industry uses myriad materials in the construction of its products, but wood and steel are two key components worth watching. Short-term, prices are expected to stay high at the same time the supply is squeezed by skyrocketing demand.
- Words About Work - The COVID-19 pandemic has spawned an additional set of less-than-precise words and phrases. Early on, there arose references to virtual work, a virtual meeting or even virtual events.
- Support Our Work Toward a Healthy Life: Take the INDEAL Cares Employee Wellness Survey - The insights obtained from this year's IDEAL survey will build on its knowledge and provide a better understanding about employee wishes for returning to the workplace safely, identify new product needs and offer clarity on how to move forward productively and profitably as an industry.
- Supersalone – Work Now in Progress for the Special 2021 Salone del Mobile.Milano Event - Supersalone is a unique project in line with the exceptional times in which we live, geared not just to sectoral professionals and the international design community, but also to the general public, who will have access to the fairgrounds for the entire duration of the event.
- AIS Promotes Nick Haritos to President
- Meghan Sherwin Named Chief Marketing Officer at Keilhauer
- Kimball International Announces Achievement of the Well Health-Safety Rating for its Corporate Headquarters - Kimball International earned the WELL Health-Safety Rating by implementing processes and procedures such as cleaning and sanitization procedures, emergency preparedness programs, health and wellness programs and resources, air and water quality management and education.
- Stephen Says - "What Should My Resume Look Like These Days?" - by Stephen Viscusi - My first tip is the simplest, but people never seem to follow it: Put your complete home address on the resume. Yes — I mean your street address. If it's a sales job, the company wants to know exactly where you live in relation to the territory. Just putting your city or town is not good enough in our industry.
- Upfront: AIS Expands Quick Ship Offering with Calibrate Countdown - AIS has launched Calibrate Countdown, a quick-ship program for private offices. With a 15-day lead time, Calibrate Countdown offers one of the industry's fastest ways to furnish private offices.
- Product Spotlight: Okamura Introduces LW Pouf - LW Pouf is a rounded, soft stool that fits in various collaborative environments in the workplace. From reception to library and lounge, its casual style looks good in any work environment, serving as a spot for short meetings or to change the mood. The LW Pouf is available in four sizes, ranging from a single stool to a 47-inch diameter bench with different height options.
- PLACES - Dream Games Offices – Istanbul
- FIRST LOOKS - Pallas, Arper, Camira, Narbutas, Concertex, 3form, Scandinavian Spaces
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 2, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: They're Just Suppliers, Right? Why the Jiecang/Logicdata Deal Rivals Herman Miller/Knoll in Importance - The Jiecang acquisition of Logicdata will rival Herman Miller's acquisition of Knoll in terms of long-term impact on the office furniture industry.
- The Long View on Work - When it comes to work and the workplace, there has been a rush to suggest how the pandemic will change arenas such as real estate planning and use, corporate organizational policies and procedures and space design configurations.
- Tips for Successfully Implementing a Hybrid Work Policy - Our industry does a great job of defining culture through physical space, but do we ever document our own business culture?
- Hopewell Takes the Guesswork Out of Office Occupancy and Data - Hopewell has big goals. Simply put, they want to be the leader in work experience data in the world.
- Join the Club — Going Into the Office Might Feel a Little More Exclusive - Ideally, thinking of work as a social club or hub, takes the guilt and dread out of going to the office.
- Jiecang Acquires Logicdata Creating $350 Million Powerhouse - The merger will create a leading, worldwide one-stop-shop linear motion components and systems supplier with about 2,500 employees worldwide and $350 million in annual revenues.
- 2020 is Hosting a Virtual Event to Help Interior Designers, Retailers and Manufacturers Thrive - 2020 Connect is a free, four-day virtual event June 14-17 geared toward interior designers, retailers and manufacturers.
- Stephen Says - "Fit to be Tied: Business Is Back and So Are Ties for Men" - by Stephen Viscusi - My advice to those of you reading this is that men and women should have their own declaration in their business attire that they are back and ready to do business with their customers who are dressed up and ready to do the same.
- Upfront: Legrand Donates Vantage, QMotion, and Luxul Brand Solutions for R.I.S.E. Home Built by Wounded Warrior Project and Gary Sinise Foundation - "We are grateful for Legrand's support, which has been a tremendous gift for Sergeant Blank," said Blaine Christensen, co-owner of Advanced Integrated Systems. "The company's solutions have been instrumental in providing this American hero with a high-tech home that will forever change the trajectory of his life."
- Product Spotlight: Ghent Announces Reed Acoustic Panels - Constructed with a lightweight black wood base, black aluminum support frame, and an acoustic panel available in several colors, Reed can be effortlessly moved and adjusted. The crescent-shaped base allows the units to nest together to form an acoustic barrier.
- PLACES - Allnex Offices – Petaling Jaya
- FIRST LOOKS - Arc-Com, KFI Studios, Mannington, Freeform
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - June 2021
- WHY NURTURE IS NOT THE SECRET TO A HEALTHY (VIRTUAL) WORK ENVIRONMENT - Traditionally, leadership has turned to nurturing activities to address team health. These activities can certainly be valuable, but they cannot bridge the gap created when the daily work experience fails to meet basic neurological, psychological and physiological needs.
- NEW SURVEY PROVIDES SWEEPING OVERVIEW OF CURRENT STATE OF EMPLOYER-SPONSORED WELLBEING PROGRAMS - This survey highlights that a culture of well-being plays a far more critical role than any one benefit program to the long-term success of an organization.
- THE HYBRID RETURN TO THE OFFICE AND ENSURING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR REMOTE EMPLOYEES - In a hybrid set-up example, you might have four people in a meeting, two calling in remote from home and two calling in from the office conference room. In this situation, the two people in the office environment are minimized on camera and have in-person nonverbal cues that completely change the meeting dynamic.
- SDI ARCHITECTURE ATTRIBUTES MASS OFFICE MOVE-BACK TO ZOOM FATIGUE: BOSTON FIRM EXPERIENCES UPTICK IN DEMAND FOR MODIFICATIONS TO WORKPLACES AS COMPANIES PREPARE FOR THE RETURN OF THEIR WORKFORCES - People are starving for personal interaction. A host of factors are fueling employees moving back to the office, including the return to full-time, in-person learning for students, giving parents the option to work from an office as their role as home school teachers comes to an end.
- LATEST WORKFORCE HAPPINESS SURVEY SHOWS IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN WORKPLACE - Organizations have spent the past year helping their employees stay productive while working through a crisis, but now they have to pivot to create a new normal that ensures their workforce continues to be happy for the long-term, no matter where they are working.
- THE WORKPLACE IS CHANGING: THOMAS FRIEDMAN PREDICTS SEISMIC SHIFTS WILL OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE LEFT THE WORKFORCE IN DROVES - With many employers planning for a new work/life in a post-pandemic world, one of the big challenges they face is addressing significant setbacks unleashed by COVID-19.
- WORKPLACE CULTURE REPORT REVEALS KEY CAUSES OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION FAILURES IN COMPANIES - Just 43% of employees say they can consistently be their authentic selves at work.
- EMPLOYEES AND COMPANIES ARE FACING A BURNOUT CRISIS - At companies across America, employees are struggling, with more than two in five (41%) say they're experiencing burnout. As workers adjust to remote work during the pandemic, 40% of employees surveyed agree working remotely supports better work-life balance.
- 19 IDEAS EXPANDS AND REMODELS HEADQUARTERS TO CREATE EXPERIENCE-DRIVEN HUB CENTERED ON EMPLOYEE WELLNESS - The renovation coincides with a rebrand effort in 19 Ideas' 10-year anniversary, including a new brand look with the same focus on people, partnership and community.
- NELSON WORLDWIDE WINDWARD ENGINEERS AND CONSULTANTS HARRISBURG DESIGN BRIEF - A key driver for both the NELSON design team and the Windward staff was employee well-being.
- R-GO TOOLS CAPARO 4 TWIN MONITOR ARM - The modularity not only allowed the box to be smaller but more importantly would make the monitor easier to repair if one of the components failed.
- ZELO DESKTOP STUDIO LIGHT - It is a good product that can help you turn a drab, lifeless office into a bright, well-lit space fit for a professional virtual meeting.
Business of Furniture - May 26, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Why aren't More Designers Back in the Office? Will They Come to NeoCon? - As the Spring Breakout roadshow makes its way across the country, it has been interesting to see how different each community is in its return to some sense of normalcy. The event began in Dallas, and it was slightly shocking to be in a city where it seemed as if the pandemic never happened. No one was wearing masks, inside or outside.
- OFS Believes Biophilia Belongs in the Workplace - When people think of green wall systems, they often think of the massive installations that can take extensive plumbing and lots of upkeep. OFS went with GrowUp Greenwalls because they can be put in just about any part of the office — a green wall that doesn't have to be a project.
- CEOs of West Michigan Office Furniture Majors Weigh in at Econ Club Event - Office spaces are going to be more important than ever, Andi Owen said, but those spaces are going to have to be better going forward. Just because you have an office doesn't mean your employees are going to use it if it isn't a great place to work.
- Using Technology to Find the Best Way - Generally, technology should be as simple as possible. When things start sounding complicated it's time to ask yourself why.
- Teknion Introduces Routes - Designed in partnership with PearsonLloyd, the collection is made up of desks, tables, chairs, soft seating, screens and accessories given fresh yet familiar forms that are easy to understand, assemble and use.
- NELSON Worldwide Integrates Swivel's 3D Visualization Technology - The partnership streamlines the touring and leasing process through immersive virtual experiences.
- Stephen Says - "If You Want A Paycheck, We Have a Very Reasonable Expectation...Come Back to Work!" - by Stephen Viscusi - My customers, manufacturers and dealers alike, tell me they want — no — they NEED their salespeople to be back in the office.
- Training & Development - "What I Learned Without Meaning To: Lessons From a 2021 Graduate's Dad" - by Sid Meadows - As I write this column, we are about halfway through Spring Breakout 2021. What a great event this roadshow has been for so many reasons. I've met amazing new people, developed meaningful relationships, eaten some great food, had some good laughs, interacted more than I have in the last 12 months combined, and had a bit of fun along the way.
- Upfront: Dauphin to host The Courage to Ask for Help Webinar - We all know our society values independence and admires that can-do attitude. This leaves many of us afraid we will appear weak or ignorant if we ask for help or admit we don't understand something.
- Product Spotlight: 9to5 Reinvents Stacking with Kip - Kip is a groundbreaking all-mesh stacking chair and stool collection from 9to5 Seating. The new line elevates the multipurpose space and combines style and convenience at an accessible price point. The collection's all-mesh construction comfortably relieves pressure points, while supporting up to 300 pounds. It's easy to clean and disinfect with a 10:1 water-to-bleach ratio.
- PLACES - Antik Dantel Offices – Istanbul
- FIRST LOOKS - Jasper Morrison, Wolf-Gordon, Studio TK, Concertex, Stylex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 19, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Spring Breakout is First Post-COVID Event - Our timing couldn't have been better — down to the CDC's guidance that masks for people who have been vaccinated do not have to be worn inside or outside. The timing is good for exhibitors as well. The design communities of the cities where we have stopped so far are desperate to see new products, new ideas and new thinking.
- Carnegie Fabrics Announces New CEO - Gordon Boggis is eager to build upon the company's impressive track record to promote further growth.
- Not Another 'Future of the Workplace' Article - When it comes to rehumanizing the workplace, it has become clear simply designing for people isn't enough. We have to design for the individual.
- Colors are Changing the World, One Trend at a Time - When someone asks you the first color you think of when they say the words Coca-Cola, you instantly think of red. Businesses like Coca-Cola pay millions of dollars to create and protect the brands that are often built around a color.
- IIDA Announces Finalist of Two Prestigious Interior Design Competition - Finalists were chosen by a jury of design experts, including Katherine S. Ankerson, dean, College of Architecture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Barbara Bouza, president, Walt Disney Imagineering, business management, design and development; and Bill Grant, president and chief creative officer, Grant Design Collaborative.
- The Push - Furniture companies will need to create marketing systems that favor the long game while inspiring shoppers to act with retail incentives like seasonal promotions.
- Five Tips for Creating an Outdoor Office - Not only do we need to make sure we are standing and moving throughout our day, but we also need to stay organized for a productive work day.
- Announcing the Launch of the Living Well at Work Guide - INDEAL Cares is dedicated to improving wellness locally and globally, starting at work.
- Oklahoma House Bill 1147 Advances the Interior Design Profession - The bill improves practices for qualified interior designers by modifying several terms within the State Architectural and Registered Interior Designers Act related to agency name references, definitions and duties of the board.
- Stephen Says - "Don't Hold Your Breath Waiting for Salespeople from Herman Miller or Knoll" - by Stephen Viscusi - As far as where you should be putting your energy, instead of worrying about the Herman Miller and Knoll salespeople, I wish people like you would spend more time and money recruiting and training a more diverse salesforce from outside of our industry and simply invest the time it takes for them to develop relationships.
- Upfront: ESI Enters Multi-year Partnership with Canadian Group Purchasing Organization Kinetic GPO - The contract provides exclusive pricing and access to ESI furniture, installation and related products and services to public entities in Canada and helps these organizations reduce costs by leveraging group purchasing power and simplifying the overall procurement process.
- Product Spotlight: Allseating Reveals Switzerland-Inspired Textile Collection by Emanuela Frattini Magnusson - Allseating has launched Engadin, a proprietary textile collection designed by Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, a Milan-born architect and designer and president of EFM Design. Engadin features three patterns; Dots, Grid and Bauhaus, which are all based on geometric shapes, a linear grid, a loose dot pattern and rectilinear color fields.
- PLACES - Withersworldwide Offices – Hong Kong
- FIRST LOOKS - Division Twelve, Fräsch, 3form, Mohawk, Leland Furniture, Ergotech
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-May, 2021
- JILL THOMAS | FROM FOLLOWERS TO FANS: BOOSTING YOUR BRAND WITH SOCIAL MEDIA - Posting on your social media channels is just the first step in establishing and maintaining your presence. The key is really to engage with your followers.
- STEFANIE INCE | ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF THE LIVING WELL AT WORK GUIDE - The Living Well at Work Guide will include several modules focusing on our four pillars of health; active living, mental health, disease prevention and spine health, to support your teams in their journey toward better health and well-being. This new resource comes in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, which takes place in May each year.
- HOW JAZZ IMPROVISATION HELPS WB WOOD ADAPT TO EVER-CHANGING NYC BUSINESS LANDSCAPE AND WHY DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO MOVE FROM HERMAN MILLER TO HAWORTH - With customers like Calvin Klein, JP Morgan, Rolex, NYU Langone Health and Warner Media, WB Wood keeps very busy in the New York metro area, though the pandemic slowed business, as it has everywhere.
- KIMBALL SELECT PARTNER, OSTERMANCRON, EXPANDING INTO THE LOUISVILLE MARKET - In addition to Kimball, OstermanCron will represent the National and Etc. brands from Kimball International. With these three brands, OstermanCron will fully leverage the power of Kimball International in its expansion to Louisville.
- ARENSON COMPLETES SCARSDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY - Arenson provided the space with ancillary furniture for small breakout spaces, large meeting rooms and private offices for the library built in the 1950s. These products include reading chairs, coffee, laptop, side and end tables.
- ONE WORKPLACE HELPS STUDENTS LEARN BETTER OUTDOORS - This year many schools across the country took their desks, chairs, easels and their students outside. The pandemic created the need and opportunity, and the movement was organized and supported by the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative, co-founded in our backyards by Green Schoolyards America; the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley; San Mateo County Office of Education and Ten Strands.
- SUPPORTING HEALTHCARE TODAY - A tenured expert in Pivot's Healthcare division, Sulae Cheung has partnered with Los Angeles institution Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for more than 20 years. Hospitals have specialized needs to support patients, practitioners and caregivers as well as infection controls, visitor tracking, flexibility to accommodate changing technology and so much more.
- DEALER SURVEY FINDS MOST EXECUTIVES SEE RETURN TO OFFICE OR HYBRID MODEL - Fewer than one out of five businesses (18.3%) have already reconfigured their spaces, and 21% are planning to make either modest or substantial adjustments to their spaces.
- INTERSCAPE RECEIVES THE 2021 TEKNION PLATINUM DEALER AWARD - Interscape was one of only four dealers in the country awarded this prestigious status within the Teknion dealer network.
Business of Furniture - May 12, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: What do Jazz and the Workplace Have in Common? - For most of us, work is our biggest daily performance. We want to nail it, and we feel bad when we fail. We also need skilled conductors — good leadership — to guide our flow and help us play our best, both as solo artists and as part of the band.
- Okamura Finora is Culmination of Decades of Design Harmony and Innovation - With Finora, Okamura had design help from a familiar group of friends. The chair was designed in collaboration with ITALDESIGN, an Italian design firm that has helped create some of the most beautiful and iconic high performance automotive designs.
- We Aren't There Yet - A 1985 article suggested mobility would be better supported if workers had technology that was the size of a cigarette pack and could fit in a shirt pocket.
- The Industry is Back! Spring Breakout Kicks Off in Dallas - There is an exuberance in getting back out in front of dealers, reps and customers that is palpable.
- Art Gensler, World-Renowned Architect, Dies At 85 - An architect and astute businessman who propelled a small practice into the largest and most admired firm in the industry, Art Gensler is widely credited with creating the blueprint for how many professional services firms organize and manage themselves today.
- AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer Robert Ivy, FAIA, to retire in December 2021 - A vocal advocate for architects, and an architect himself, Robert also served as a convener and contributing board member, bringing together allied and related groups to address central questions facing the design and construction industry, globally and domestically.
- BIFMA Hosts Final 180° Navigating Now Webinar Series Focused on Hospitality - The hospitality panel was the final webinar in the BIFMA 180° series that also looked at health care, education and workplace trends over the last several months.
- Kimball International Office Sales Begin to Rebound; Strong Outlook for Coming Quarter - Consolidated net sales were $138.7 million, compared to $178.2 million in the prior year third quarter.
- DIRTT Posts Loss in Latest Financial Report - Revenue for the first quarter of 2021 was $29.5 million, a decline of $11.5 million or 28% from $41 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
- Stephen Says - "I Hired Them to Sell, Not to Smell! Why You Should Go Back to Your Pre-Pandemic Persona" - by Stephen Viscusi - Believe it or not, I'm a big believer in uniforms. They're usually very convenient for employees in terms of deciding how to dress, but I know it's not practical or reasonable in a creative industry like interior furnishings where our individuality is a reflection of our creativity.
- Training & Development - "A New Business Development Strategy" - by Sid Meadows - Yes, your customers are on Clubhouse — at least some of them. This emerging platform is still in beta and only available to iPhone users at the moment, but every day, more and more people are joining the conversation.
- Upfront: Okamura creates WORK MILL magazine in collaboration with Forbes Japan - WORK MILL provides insights into new work styles and workplaces from around the globe to help create new values from a business strategy perspective.
- Product Spotlight: Allermuir Introduces CROP by Benjamin Hubert - A family of outdoor chairs and stools designed for Allermuir by Benjamin Hubert of LAYER, CROP takes its name from the enigmatic rolling fields of crops in the British countryside, which are represented in the flowing parallel wires of the seating forms.
- PLACES - Garmin Offices – Montreal
- FIRST LOOKS - Luxxbox, Flos, Icon Modern, Hightower
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 5, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Vaccine Passports Coming to an Office Near You? - As society tires of the pandemic, the pressure to create vaccine passports is certainly going to rise and will affect all aspects of our lives.
- British Furniture Maker Looks for Connection in North America - Connection uses its insights into the needs of modern commercial, educational and public-sector environments, which gives the company an understanding of the evolution of work.
- 4 Ways Design May Reinvent Itself - As we rethink how design has been done in the past and move toward informed and experiential design, the success hinges on creating interaction.
- INDEAL Launches Pinpoint VIP Along With 3 Month Free Trial for Dealer Members - Pinpoint VIP, a Virtual Inspiration Platform and enhancement to INDEAL's Pinpoint Search tool, launched May 1 and is available to all INDEAL Dealer Members.
- Sedia Systems Opens Consolidated Manufacturing Operations in Asheboro, North Carolina - Asheboro Mayor David Smith said he's excited to welcome Sedia Systems to the town of 26,000 residents and noted the community has a long legacy of furniture and textile manufacturers.
- Predictions for Workplace and Lifestyle Habits in Summer 2021 - As vaccine roll-outs continue and scores of Americans are inoculated daily, life is slowly returning to normal.
- The Salone del Mobile 2021 Will Go Ahead - The 59th edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano will be an innovative, iconic and unique edition. Scheduled for Sept. 5-10, the event will focus on promoting companies' latest products, technologies and projects.
- NeoCon Presents Designing in a Digital World - The four online sessions will address the innovations and challenges within the rapidly expanding digital sphere of design.
- Stephen Says - "Your Dog Died and Your Boss is Supposed to Care?" - by Stephen Viscusi - Losing a pet is a great reason to use PTO. Your friend happened to be a bachelor, and his life was his pet, but it's just as bad for families with children.
- Training & Development - "Lessons in Leadership from Ted Lasso" - by Sid Meadows - One of the most overlooked and underused aspects of leadership is simply kindness.
- Upfront: 2020 Announces Release of 2020 Office Software v2021 - This new release provides support for AutoCAD 2022 and an updated CAD engine for 2020 Cap Complete. 2020 Visual Impression v2021 brings new furniture movement capabilities, and all 2020 Office applications are updated to support these new capabilities.
- Product Spotlight: Via Seating's First All Mesh Chair Onda Launches - Onda is the Italian word for wave, and a wave is just what the chair from Via Seating's looks like with its striking back that curves up and crests into an arch. The all-mesh seat curves down to ensure efficient circulation and optimal support and comfort.
- PLACES - Qin Group Offices – Chengdu, China
- FIRST LOOKS - Tarkett, Versteel, Nevins, BodyBilt, Narbutas
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - May, 2021
- WHERE I'M WORKING: YELLOWSTONE COFFEE & CANVAS - With an array of coffee and snack items on the menu, and several sitting places to choose from, Yellowstone Coffee & Canvas proved to be a delightful place to work.
- WORKPLACE WELLNESS - If we can design spaces for wellness, it will make it easier for all types of people to come back to the office while still maintaining flexibility for those who work at home. There are seven aspects to wellness we balance - physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social, and environmental.
- EMPLOYER ACTIONS & EMPLOYEE PERCEPTIONS: GAUGING THE COVID-19 WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE - Organizations are still managing travel expenses conservatively and adjusting the way they do business to incorporate less travel, with 68% of organizations expecting the same level of business travel or less in 2021, as compared to 2020. Further, Sixty percent of organizations report they will not require employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine prior to returning to work, an indication organizations are opting to maintain a personal vs. professional line by not requiring the vaccine.
- AS ECONOMY REOPENS, THE TIME HAS COME FOR EMPLOYERS TO OPEN UP THEIR REAL ESTATE PROCUREMENT PROCESSES - With an economy working from home, it's become apparent the model is changing. Many are seeking hybrid solutions where employees come to the office half of the time or only for special team collaborations and client meetings.
- NEW LEGIONS OF REMOTE WORKERS PUTS GEOGRAPHIC PAY POLICIES IN THE SPOTLIGHT - With remote working requests continuing to emerge and surprise leaders, companies are reevaluating how to create cohesive, consistent and fair geographic pay policies as employees push to straddle multiple geographies. What used to only be an occasional issue is now a frequent request and savvy employers will need to respond with fair, transparent and attractive geographic pay policies for distributed workforces if they wish to remain competitive.
- SURVEY FINDS 58% OF PEOPLE WORKING REMOTELY WOULD QUIT THEIR JOBS IF REQUIRED TO RETURN TO OFFICE - Sixty-five percent would prefer to work remotely full-time post-pandemic, while 33% would like a combination of remote and in-office work (hybrid work arrangement). Just 2% would prefer to return to the traditional office on a full-time basis. While workers are most concerned about COVID-19 exposure/infection (49%), having less work flexibility (46%) and less work-life balance (43%) were other key apprehension points in returning to traditional workplaces.
- LOCAL OFFICE, GLOBAL VIEW: DYER BROWN-DESIGNED HEADQUARTERS UNIFIES U.S. OPERATIONS FOR TECH MEDIA GIANT - The idea from IDG leadership was to create a space that reflected their identity as a house of brands rather than a branded house.
- MOST EXECUTIVES EXPECT RETURN TO OFFICE OR HYBRID MODEL - The survey findings suggest many businesses may be underestimating the changes needed to optimize workplaces for health and safety and accommodate the evolving requirements of a hybrid work model in which employees blend working from different locations, including home, on the go or at the office.
- PREVIEWING THE FUTURE, SVIGALS + PARTNERS COMPLETES SECOND MAJOR WORKPLACE FOR BIOHAVEN PHARMACEUTICALS - Building on Svigals + Partners' longstanding commitment to prioritizing the well-being of the client group, the workplace harnesses daylight and outfits workers with sit-stand desks in a setting marked by natural materials, nontoxic finishes, premium air filtration and other benefits of an active workplace. The company's brand colors, green and blue, are complemented by a contrasting magenta proposed through a virtual-reality walkthrough.
- WHAT ARE PERFORMANCE FABRICS? - The definition of a performance fabric is as individualized as a performance car. Broadly speaking, it denotes above-average attributes compared to standard upholstery.
- PROJECT AIMS TO KEEP IT AUTHENTIC - Perkins&Will's design seamlessly reconciles two opposing forces — the desired focus on collaboration and the need to accommodate concentrated individual work.
- REVIEWS - Etc. Holden Pull Up Table / ZG1 Single Monitor Arm
Business of Furniture - April 28, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Fulton Market: Furniture's Future Chicago Home or Flash in the Pan? - It makes a lot more sense at this point for the small- and mid-size manufacturers at theMART to stay put.
- Herman Miller's New Chicago Flagship Seamlessly Blends Contract, Residential in Spectacular New Fulton Market Space - Though the Chicago showroom has only been open for a few weeks, the company is already noticing some surprising (and hopeful) patterns.
- De Vorm Introduces Soft Distancing With PET Felt Panels - All products within the AK series are fully customizable and can be easily incorporated into any existing interior.
- Teknion Plans Move to Chicago's Fulton Market - Until now, defectors to Fulton Market were limited to Knoll and Herman Miller, companies with strong retail segments. Teknion is the first purely commercial office furniture maker to head there.
- Byrne Believes Earth Day Should be Celebrated Every Day - The company's products are designed with materials that are 100% recyclable, and it works to reduce its waste stream by using plastic regrind and other recycled materials in its designs.
- Bill Wittland: The Survey Is Not The Solution - Designers with a passion for the power of place will always overpower a simplistic notion of survey-driven outcomes.
- The Pandemic did not Stop the Plans – Narbutas is Building a New Factory, Investing 25 million Euro - The new building will be equipped with technologies to make the production process more efficient, will secure higher production quality and allow the company to offer new office furniture, expanding the categories of seating, acoustic and non-standard furniture.
- IIDA Releases 2021 Interior Design Compensation Report - The average design professional reported an annual base salary of between $60,000 and $99,000, with higher reported salaries in the West and Northeast.
- Survey Finds 41.5% of Executives Planning a Full-Time Return to the Office - Fewer than one out of five businesses (18.3%) have already reconfigured their spaces, and 21% are planning to make either modest or substantial adjustments to their spaces.
- Luxor Workspaces Donates Hand Sanitizer to Local Schools, Police, Fire and Nonprofit Organizations - Now that supply has caught up with demand, Luxor decided to donate its inventory to where it can do the most good.
- Stephen Says - "If Herman Miller, Knoll and Haworth Expand Their Retail Subsidiaries, They'll be Having RH for Lunch!" - by Stephen Viscusi - It's fun to talk about exciting developments in our industry. But let's focus on getting everyone to NeoCon in October and getting employees that are still afraid to come back to work, back in the office.
- Upfront: Indiana Furniture's Plywood Facility Recognized for Ongoing Workplace Safety - In living up to one of its core values — Create a Safe and Healthy Work Environment — Indiana Furniture has again achieved Indiana Safety and Health Achievement Program (INSHARP) certification for its plywood manufacturing facility in Jasper, Indiana.
- Product Spotlight: Keilhauer Introduces the Epix Collection - Keilhauer's new Epix collection is rational, refined and modern. Its highly functional pieces seamlessly transition across various work, group and meeting tasks.
- PLACES - Gazprom Neft Offices – Saint Petersburg
- FIRST LOOKS - Samuelson, Turf Design, Nowy Styl
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 21, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: The Effort Behind the Pages - When an acquisition happens at a publicly traded company, it is a bit different than "normal" breaking news. Since both Herman Miller and Knoll are public companies, scoops almost never happen unless a journalist happens to hear about it early.
- Herman Miller is Acquiring Knoll in a Blockbuster $1.8 Billion Deal that Creates the Largest Office Furniture Company in the World - This transaction brings together two pioneering icons of design with strong businesses, attractive portfolios and long histories of innovation.
- Steelcase Taps Armbruster, the Company's First Woman CEO, as Keane Announces Retirement - Since joining the company in 2007, Armbruster, 50, has led corporate strategy and acquisition activities. She has additionally led multiple businesses at Steelcase, including Steelcase Education, Steelcase Health and PolyVision.
- Monumental Announcement of Herman Miller's Acquisition of Knoll Causes Stir Among Dealers - "I'm both a Herman Miller and Knoll dealer, for more than 15 years," said Larry Keller, owner of Design Warehouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico. "To have Knoll under the Herman Miller umbrella would just bring more products, more pleasure and more efficiency. I'm delighted in every way."
- Why I'm Obsessed with Clubhouse (And You Should be Too) - Even though residential designers are flocking to Clubhouse, adoption is not as fast just yet for the commercial side of the industry.
- The Craft of Installation - Installers today are often the eyes and the ears of project sites and are key players in the on-site massaging of product to meet space expectations with a pre-determined kit-of-parts from the manufacturer.
- Best of NeoCon Returns with Fresh Approach, Expanded Categories & New Content - Product submissions will open June 1 and close on Sept. 9. Exhibitors may enter any new products introduced to the U.S. market since NeoCon 2019.
- Stephen Says - "It's the BASE SALARY, Stupid" - by Stephen Viscusi - To get a highly qualified candidate to take a job — ANY job — sales, operations, design, you need to start with an attractive, higher than usual, base salary.
- Upfront: 2020 Global Inspiration Contest for Kitchen, Bathroom and Office Designers - 2020 has announced the first-ever 2020 Global Inspiration contest for kitchen, bathroom and office designers. The contest provides a platform for 2020 users across North America, the United Kingdom and France to be recognized among their peers for their functional and aesthetic design skills.
- Product Spotlight: 9to5 Seating Introduces Iconic HÅG Capisco and HÅG Capisco Puls to US Market - 9to5 Seating's HÅG Capisco and HÅG Capisco Puls feature versatility and unparalleled ergonomics that are right in step with the active seating movement popular in the U.S. market.
- PLACES - ManpowerGroup Offices – Tokyo
- FIRST LOOKS - Landscape Forms, Maharam
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-April, 2021
- JIM HEILBORN | SHOWROOM DESIGN – IT'S ABOUT THE MESSAGE AND PLACEMENT. - Does your showroom answer the question. "Why buy?" If not, it may be time for a new approach.
- STEFANIE INCE | INSIGHTS FROM THE INDEAL AND INDEAL CARES RETURN TO WORK SURVEY - INDEAL Cares, together with INDEAL, recently conducted a short survey to ask the industry for its thoughts and feelings on returning to the workplace over a year after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- JULIA MACHADO | DEALER DESIGNER WORK HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED - The way dealer designers work has changed drastically. I am sure this is not the first time you have heard that. As dealer designers we have to be experts in the industry and in product knowledge.
- PMC COMMERCIAL INTERIORS USES NEW 'SUNDAY DRIVE' SHOWROOM TO GALVANIZE MESSAGE FOR ITS CAROLINA CUSTOMERS - To call PMC's Sunday Drive a showroom is an understatement. One of the drivers from the design side was to demonstrate to the marketplace that you can take an average building in this case and really change the interior to reflect something pretty dramatic.
- SKG CLIMBS RANKING OF FASTEST GROWING PRIVATE COMPANIES - SKG's revenue grew 86% from 2017 through 2019, the period used for the regional ranking. The company's 72 employees serve Austin, San Antonio, College Station and West Texas.
- THE EATON GROUP IS A MODEL FOR HOW REP GROUPS WORK BEST - Creating personal connections is key to Eaton's success. He organizes a group of about 20 dealers and manufacturers to visit Bandon Dunes Golf Resort on the southern coast of Oregon every February and has since the bucket list resort opened 20 years ago. Over the last four decades, Dave Eaton has worked as a rep in the furniture industry, so he has seen a few changes over the years.
- EZOBORD AND QUIET EARTH MOSS BECOME INDEAL'S NEWEST BRAND PARTNERS - EzoBord was an early pioneer in the field of design-driven acoustics, pushing the boundaries with a range of fully customizable acoustic products for ceiling, wall, division and furniture applications.
- COMMERCIAL FURNITURE DEALER EMPIRE OFFICE GROWS SALES LEADERSHIP IN NEW YORK AND SOUTH FLORIDA - Erica Cain and Elizabeth Irizarry have joined Empire Office, a provider of contract furniture solutions, in business development and sales leadership roles.
- FORBES RANKS FELLOWES BRANDS ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST MID-SIZED EMPLOYERS - "Our culture and this recognition is made possible by our devoted people who bring the spirit, care and positivity every day," said fourth-generation CEO John Fellowes.
- MC OFFICE FURNITURE PARTNERS WITH OFFICE FURNITURE HEAVEN - Marc Schwartzberg, OFH CEO, said, "Barry has a wonderful reputation in our industry. What has impressed me is his commitment to exceeding client expectations, no matter the size of the company. I'm eager to build on the outstanding foundation of excellence Barry and his team have provided to their clients over the years.
- MIEN CATALOG NOW AVAILABLE IN 2020 OFFICE SOFTWARE - MiEN Environments has a full product line for K-12 and higher education facilities, including tables, chairs, soft seating, whiteboards, mobile storage and more.
Business of Furniture - April 14, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: We Need to Rediscover Inspiration - If you are lacking inspiration, look around you. It's still there. And coming out of the pandemic, it needs to be cultivated and encouraged. After all, the world is counting on us to show it the way back to normal.
- Indoor Air Quality One Key to Return to Office - Poor indoor air quality can cause acute immediate effects and long-term chronic effects as well — everything from respiratory illness to issues around ability to focus.
- Reducing Anxiety and Creating Comfort in the Home — Experts in Corporate Design Share Tips - With all the challenges COVID has dolled out over the past year, it's a bitter Catch 22 that in order to handle the stress of doing everything at home now — living, working, parenting, schooling — we need stress-free homes.
- Latest BIFMA 180° Webinar Focuses on Healthcare - Digital wellness solutions are taking hold, much more so on the heels of the pandemic. Health care spaces in the future might not be physical health care spaces at all.
- CIFF in China Sees More Than 357,000 Visitors - During the Office Show, the leading brands of the sector showed countless innovative solutions for work environments capable of responding to the demands of companies in constant evolution with the objective of increasing performance and productivity, improving well-being and security and inspiring new ideas.
- Tarkett's New Corporate Social & Environmental Responsibility Report Shows Shift to Second Chapter in its Sustainability Strategy - Tarkett has partnered with Carbonfund to create the industry's broadest portfolio of third-party verified carbon neutral flooring solutions.
- Stephen Says - "Designer Says: RH = Real Headache! " - by Stephen Viscusi - OK, here is why I decided to write. I have seen you mention Restoration Hardware many times in your column, and they are all over the news with their stock value growth, surpassed only by Tesla. It's OK if Warren Buffet keeps getting richer, but my problem is RH is affecting my business.
- Training & Development - "What Did I Learn Today?" - by Sid Meadows - If you follow me, you know I'm an avid learner. I'm always exploring new ideas, ways to improve, new processes, new tools and resources. I learn in a variety of ways, including listening to podcasts, reading, taking online courses, attending seminars and joining in the conversations on Clubhouse.
- Upfront: Keilhauer Receives Four Awards for GOOD DESIGN - "This is the sixth consecutive year we have received the esteem of GOOD DESIGN," said President Mike Keilhauer. "We are very proud to see our contract designs be so well received."
- Product Spotlight: Trendway Introduces Elea - Trendway has launched Elea, an innovative task chair designed to kinetically move you. Its distinct aesthetic originates from a suspended seat pan that promotes micromovements and energetic motion, allowing users to continuously move while seated.
- PLACES - BMI Offices – Quito
- FIRST LOOKS - Concertex, Aracdia, Palmer Hamilton, Turf Design, Carnegie
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 7, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Of Super Deductions and 'Poisson D'Avril' - I recently came across an article from the U.K. about its new Super Deduction tax break, a program designed to spur on investment following low levels of business since the start of the pandemic. As part of the program, companies can claim 130% capital allowances on new office furniture purchases.
- A Guide to Post-COVID-19 Hybrid Work Policies - Two of the most overlooked factors of a hybrid work policy are its tax and legal ramifications. With remote work comes the benefit of being able to relocate.
- Speed and Space—Clear Design Launches New Product Sensitive to Both - To ensure BOOST Pro is at or above quality levels of other known brands, Clear Design uses industry-leading steel thicknesses in its steel products. Its power systems are developed and made in the U.S.
- NeoCon Presents Designing Well April 21-22 - All of the programs are complementary and have been submitted for accreditation.
- Furniture On Demand by Lectra: A Sought-after Solution for a Changing Market - Furniture on Demand by Lectra is a solution designed specifically to meet the needs of furniture manufacturers, regardless of their geographic location and business model.
- More Than 100,000 Fellowes AeraMax Air Purifiers Are Now In U.S. Schools - Beyond the classroom, schools are installing Fellowes air purifiers in other shared spaces, such as resource rooms, libraries, locker rooms, nurse's offices, conference spaces and media centers.
- Kimball International Announces Changes to its Board of Directors - Kimball International has appointed Valerie R. Love as an independent member of its board of directors. Love will also serve on the compensation and governance committee and stand for election at the company's 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.
- MC Office Furniture Partners with Office Furniture Heaven - The addition of MC Office Furniture will expand the market reach of OFH, which focuses on small and medium-size businesses with fewer than 250 employees.
- Stephen Says - "Internet Interviews" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Upfront: Woolpert Announces Strategic Investment by MSD Partners - Woolpert fits seamlessly with MSD Partners' strategy of partnering with talented management teams and investing in companies which are stable, well-positioned in attractive markets and poised for growth, said Kevin Brown, co-head of MSD Partners' Private Capital Group.
- Product Spotlight: Japanese Culture and Modern Design - Kiyumi is a Japanese word meaning "arch" and more specifically "arch of wood," the emblem of the indomitable force of the warrior, the assertion of the power of concentration and determination and one of the symbols of Japanese civilization.
- PLACES - More.tv Offices – Moscow
- FIRST LOOKS - Howe, BuzziSpace, Flos, Arc-Com
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - April, 2021
- HOW I'M WORKING: BY KIM MELKA - Working at the office doesn't necessarily mean working at a desk. Afternoon team building and socializing occurs more often than it used to.
- UNIQUE PLACES WORK HAPPENED IN 2020 (AND 2021) - The definition of the "third place" is an area or building that people can come and network, cowork, and escape from the home and office. It's usually a church, library, or most popular - coffee shop. Today it seems we work anywhere and everywhere because nearly 60% of the American population are still not at the office.
- NEW STUDY: MAJORITY OF WFH EMPLOYEES DON'T WANT TO RETURN TO THE POST-COVID WORKPLACE - Over half of employees say that working from home would give them a better quality of life and lead to greater job satisfaction. Research shows 40% of people would take a pay cut if it meant they could work from home.
- WHY YOUR WORKPLACE NEEDS TO STANDARDIZE AV TECHNOLOGY - Even if an organization is only managing a small campus or just one building, giving employees consistency will increase their satisfaction and productivity. When WeWork experienced a period of rapid global expansion, it was difficult to adhere to the AV standards at each location. Some of the issues that arose during this period underlined the importance of standardizing AV systems across countries for global organizations.
- OUR DISREGARD FOR CLEAN INDOOR AIR IS COSTING LIVES - We need to keep our people healthy, our buildings healthy and our communities healthy. Portable, professional-grade air cleaning systems are a powerful tool to help us achieve this. Although this pandemic is our most urgent crisis, if there's a silver lining, it's that we've gotten a lot smarter about why indoor air safety matters.
- THE BRAVE NEW WORLD OF WORK: WHAT EMPLOYERS CAN EXPECT IN THE POST-PANDEMIC WORLD - Research indicates that 80% of company leaders plan to permit remote work after the pandemic. The absolute best way to erase divides between groups, is to unite them in a common goal — and what better goal than a purpose-driven company? While the new world of work presents unique challenges to employers and employees, it also presents new opportunities to advance workforce trends that benefit both parties.
- WHAT A MULTI-GENERATIONAL STAFF TAUGHT ME ABOUT TEAM CULTURE - Getting your team on board starts with consistency. Values that are practiced as much as they're preached. Professional development that focuses on shared goals. Quarterly updates that hammer home the big wins and shared accomplishments. No matter their age, people lean in when they feel like they're being heard.
- SPACESMITH DEBUTS HEADQUARTERS DESIGN FOR NEW YORK LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP, LEADER IN ACCESS TO JUSTICE - NYLAG is the latest in Spacesmith's nationally recognized record of work for nonprofit and human service organizations. Flexibility in the office design also supports productivity. Examples include the conference room tables, which have access to power similar to a benching system and can be configured into work areas to accommodate the organization's annual influx of interns.
- OCCUPANCY DATA THAT COUNTS - The pandemic is forcing companies to pause and take a hard look at their portfolios. This is a moment to use people counting not only to improve occupant safety but migrate one step closer to smart buildings.
- REVIEWS - Etc. Bernadette Bean Bag / Sunlight Inside mySun Lamp / BlendJet2 Portable Blender
Business of Furniture - March 31, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: The Glass is Half Full (and Filling Up More by the Day) - As many of your customers return to their offices, they are going to find them lacking. They will need your products and your services to get back up and running.
- theMART is 'Ready to Get Back to It'; Preparing for Your Return in October - NeoCon 2021 will have a new no-contact registration system, a modified seventh floor exhibit hall layout with more room in the main aisles and one-way direction in the smaller aisles, encouraged use of the stairs and more use of the building's outdoor space.
- New Challenges Take Root as Working From Home Continues Into Another Year - Studies reveal anxiety, depression, substance misuse and muscle tension are the greatest of problems associated with WFH.
- NELSON Worldwide Establishes Workplace Innovation Sessions - The looming concept of "returning to work" provides organizations the opportunity to reexamine and reimagine who they are, how they work, and how they can evolve.
- Stephen Says - "What is CLUBHOUSE - and Does it Have Anything to Do With the Office Furniture Industry -- and Should I Be There?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Don't be part of the 80% — Stay the course" - by Sid Meadows
- Battered by COVID, Steelcase Reports Difficult Year; Better Days Ahead as Pandemic Eases - Beyond the first quarter, the company is targeting seasonally higher revenue in the second quarter, but a decline compared to the prior year, which benefited from a strong beginning backlog as a result of the government mandated shutdowns in the first quarter of fiscal 2021
- Upfront: ezoBord and Quiet Earth Moss Become INDEAL's Newest Brand Partners - Providing product to support biophilia and workplace wellness, Quiet Earth Moss are experts at bringing the outside in. The company offers organically preserved live moss wall frames, mosaics, custom designs and planters that feature natural sound dampening and absorption.
- Product Spotlight: Allsteel Announces Jetty:Mod - Allsteel's Jetty:Mod is a modular sofa with the flexibility to solve for the needs of today's modern spaces and the adaptability to accommodate new workplace, education, hospitality and health care considerations in the future.
- PLACES - Sarana Penida Offices – Jakarta
- FIRST LOOKS - Gunlocke, Samuelson, Acoufelt, Pophouse, Andreu World
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 24, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Work to Live, Not Live to Work - There are many aspects of the office and work that have changed because of the pandemic. Of course, we are rightly focused on how to help customers safely return to the office and the products and services that will help with that.
- Nassimi 'Believes in Better' and Continues to Innovate in World of Textiles with Supreen - Supreen has been several years in the making and was just recently launched. It is a total liquid barrier, but it has a lot of other benefits. It's bleach cleanable and stain repellent. It is also a soft, supple fabric.
- The Fallacy of Work-Life Balance - Many of us have realized a balanced and integrated life must include a more intense focus on the many other components that make life feel whole and meaningful and satisfying.
- Are You Well in Your Workplace? Pros Discuss the Health Cons of Inadequate Work-From-Home Setups - Studies show health problems have occurred because of the effects of working conditions in the home environment — including inadequate height of working surfaces, chairs reinforcing poor posture, computer screens too close or too high or too low, poor lighting or no natural light, and conditions creating sedentary behaviors.
- Materiality in a Post-COVID-19 World - Attention to detail in material selection is such an important part of the health and safety of a space.
- Better than Expected in a Particularly Bad Year: Haworth Sales Drop 19% in 2020 - Every Haworth region and business sector made prompt decisions and shared best practices across the entire organization to keep members safe while meeting customer needs.
- Herman Miller Retail Shows Strength; Contract Sees Positive Signs Emerging - "We plan to continue investing in diversifying our business and product portfolios, building a high-performing retail business, strengthening our omni-channel distribution network and growing our digital capabilities."
- Upfront: SKG Climbs Ranking of Fastest Growing Private Companies - SKG jumped nine spots on the Inc. 5000 Series: Texas list of the 250 fastest-growing private companies in the state, climbing to 147. It's the second straight appearance for the largest commercial furniture dealership in Central Texas. It ranked No. 156 on last year's inaugural list.
- Product Spotlight: Studio by Dekko Introduces Ashley Freestand - An addition to Studio by Dekko's Ashley 210 Series, Ashley Freestand is a personal charging device that sits on a surface and provides flexibility for the user to relocate where power is needed. This sleek power unit is available with a standard cord or a braided cord for added style, with two AC outlets and two USB-A ports providing 2.4 amps each.
- Stephen Says - "Be Smart On Your Social Media. It's Not Cancel Culture or Woke. It's Common Sense!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Locusview Offices – Herzliya
- FIRST LOOKS - Carnegie, Falcon, Luum
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-March, 2021
- JIM HEILBORN | PLANNING FOR THE INEVITABLE - If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail! The question they asked me was, "When should I start succession planning?" My answer was, "The day you decided to own your business."
- STEFANIE INCE | GETTING YOUR WELLNESS PROGRAM STARTED - Make wellness something that your team will want to commit to. Consider offering tips, incentives like prizes for participation or a random draw, and weekly or monthly corporate challenges – anything you can do to support the team for showing up and making wellness a priority.
- ID+A IN LOUISVILLE PUTS THE SUCCESS IN SUCCESSION PLANNING - Throughout three decades, ID+A has retained its founding concepts and adapted to the changing demands for workplace design and products. What was true at their inception remains true today: Their unwavering client focus and exceeding their expectations.
- CUSTER'S EVOLUTION FUELS 40 YEARS OF GROWTH - Diversification — both geographically and economically — has helped the dealership tremendously.
- WHAT IS THE ELASTIC INTERIOR? - A survey of 2,000 office workers in 10 countries showed a majority want to work remotely over two days a week on average, double from before the pandemic, according to JLL's research.
- ALIANZA / LJ DUFFY FORM STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP - Alianza and LJ Duffy's teams have a long, successful history of project implementation for Herman Miller.
- CUSTER DRIVES MAJOR ENHANCEMENTS AT JW MARRIOTT IN THE MIDST OF A BOOMING ERA FOR GRAND RAPIDS HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY - To maintain its well-established standard of excellence in the area's hospitality industry, JW Marriott Grand Rapids worked closely with Custer's team of experts to update the hotel's high-traffic interior spaces.
- INTERVIEW WITH 2020 OFFICE RENEWAL SPECIALIST DANA SHWARTZMAN - 2020 has announced Dana Shwartzman has joined the 2020 Office team as an account manager.
- VS AMERICA'S CATALOGS AVAILABLE IN 2020 OFFICE - Focused on best practices for educational facilities, VS develops adaptable, ergonomic and sustainable furniture solutions for the creation of agile learning environments.
- BII OPENS NEW SHOWROOM IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - The new showroom in Spokane is open now and serves as a hub for client meetings and furniture project design and planning.
- ENROLLMENT FOR SOLOMON COYLE SPRING PM TRAINING SESSION NOW OPEN -- INTRODUCING A NEW TRACK FOR NON-ALIGNED DEALERS - Designed specifically for dealer staff, Solomon Coyle's PM Training program is delivered through 10 interactive webinars, individualized instructor attention, a wealth of field-proven work tools and supporting materials and a final exam to help measure student comprehension.
- LEGRAND | AV NAMES NUTECH GROUP AS NEW SALES REP FOR MID-ATLANTIC U.S. - The NuTech Group has earned a reputation as one of the most highly regarded manufacturer's reps in the country.
- PURE WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS ANNOUNCES ALIGNMENT WITH KNOLL FOR THE STATE OF KANSAS - PURE's new alignment includes access to the full Knoll portfolio of furniture, textiles, leather, architectural products and accessories.
Business of Furniture - March 17, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Furniture is Important for Return to Normal, Along with a Heavy Dose of Compassion and Inclusive Management - Returning to work after the pandemic is going to take more than plastic screens and social distancing. The process also includes serious management planning.
- With New Products and Designs, Versteel Wants You to Head Outside - The outdoor work revolution began before the pandemic as high-tech companies in sunny Silicon Valley started using outdoor space in courtyards, on roofs and between buildings as workspaces.
- At Byrne, St. Patrick's Day Reminds Employees that Surviving — and Thriving — is Sometimes About Making Your Own Luck - All Byrne employees, as well as many vendors and customers, are treated to a breakfast feast of authentic Celtic favorites like bangers and mash.
- A Place to Sit for Generations to Come - The recycled aluminum — Emeco's signature material — is light, strong, non-corrosive, fireproof, has a low carbon footprint and is impervious to today's disinfectants and anti-microbial cleaners, and all Za stools come with a lifetime guarantee.
- Employers In Many Markets Report Continued Improvements In Hiring Outlooks For Q2 - In the next six to 12 months, organizations expect 51% of employees to be back in the workplace most of the time.
- NeatCharge and NeatHub Join Humanscale's Suite of Organizational Desktop Solutions - NeatHub works on its own or in tandem with NeatTech, Humanscale's discreet, lightweight mesh basket that safely stores power strips and wayward cables securely underneath the desk.
- University Health Teams With Vari To Build Out New San Antonio Office Space - This was the largest commercial real estate transaction of the year in the San Antonio area, so we needed a highly customized plan for University Health," said Kevin Wierenga, senior vice president of sales at Vari.
- Cayke Selects 2020 Online Engagement Solutions to Provide a Seamless Shopping Experience - Thanks to 2020, Cayke is able to engage customers who are interested not only in the customization but the visualization of their space before they order — making them more confident in their furniture investment.
- Upfront: Commercial Furniture Dealer Empire Office Grows Sales Leadership in New York and South Florida - Based in Miami, Elizabeth Irizarry will be focused on forming close relationships throughout the local business, design, real estate and construction industries in South Florida. Based in New York, Erica Cain will be focused on leading new business efforts within the NYC-Metro area, leveraging her wealth of knowledge servicing the commercial furniture industry for over 13 years.
- Product Spotlight: Teknion Introduces Bonds, a Series of Modular Seating Solutions - Seeking a solution for balance between free form modularity and prescribed arrangements in collaborative workspaces, Bonds offers a degree of freedom for the end user to design various layouts with ease.
- Stephen Says - "A Glass of Wine the Night before an Interview? Don't do it!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Best Practices to Successfully Manage Remote Employees" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - BETA Investment Offices – Istanbul
- FIRST LOOKS - Patcraft, Studio TK, Spacestor, Artaic
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 10, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Spring Breakout is Breaking Out; Warm Weather Brings Opportunity to Work Outdoors - As the weather warms, take a few moments to get outside to work. It is my favorite office.
- AIS Reinforces Commitment to Dealers through Challenging Pandemic Year with Agile Programs and Products - AIS has relevantly expanded it's portfolio and now includes panel systems, beam and benching/desking systems, laminate casegoods and reception, tables and conferencing, storage, seating, screens, worktools and accessories.
- Latest Installment of BIFMA Virtual 180° Event Focuses on Education - The webinar panel dug into some of the emerging and long-term trends in educational design — design trends in education that will remain post-pandemic and ones that will be quickly abandoned after it.
- The Biggest Opportunity to Create Brand Loyalty with Young Designers - Young professionals are craving an opportunity to learn by example, especially in today's digital world.
- HNI Corporation Reports Earnings for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2020 - Workplace Furnishings net sales decreased 18.6 percent from the prior-year quarter to $365.9 millio, however a Double-digit revenue and profit growth in Residential Building Products was reported.
- ASID Tackles Changing Industry Landscape with 2021 Outlook and State of Interior Design Report - The report finds that health and wellness, long pillars of the ASID mission, have become top priorities for individuals and institutions.
- Unispace Acquired by Multinational Private Equity Firm PAG, Reaffirms Commitment to Successful Growth Strategy - Unispace is primed for expansion into U.S. markets — including New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Boston — and new business areas, and this move is designed to accelerate growth domestically and abroad as owners and tenants continue to transition out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Andreu World Furnishes Spanish Pavilion at World Exposition Dubai with Sustainable Design - Andreu World will provide more than 300 pieces of furniture for indoor and outdoor areas of the Spanish Pavilion at the Expo.
- Inscape Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Results - Total sales for the nine months ended January 31, 2021 were $30.2 million, compared to $61.4 million for the same period of fiscal 2020.
- Upfront: theMART Announces 11 New Permanent Tenants and 19 Lease Renewals or Expansions Ahead of NeoCon 2021 - Byron Morton, vice president of showroom leasing at theMART, said, "Even with the setbacks of COVID-19, a showroom at theMART continues to play a pivotal role in the overall marketing and sales strategies of top brands."
- Product Spotlight: New RACKUP Seating Collection by United Chair - The collection features nesting models with a folding seat offering compact and quick storage for all types of reconfigurable workspaces. It also offers light task models and stools with a five-prong nylon base.
- Stephen Says - "The Telephone Interview: Common Courtesy vs. Multi-Tasking, You Decide" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Crowe Horwath First Trust Offices – Singapore
- FIRST LOOKS - Landscape Forms, Emeco and Naoto Fukasawa, ECA by Dekko, Buckley Redner, H Contract
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 3, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Announcing Spring Breakout: We are Bringing the Show to You - Spring Breakout is an office interiors roadshow that will travel the country with your new products, making stops to show them off to interior designers and decision makers in major cities in May 2021.
- Custer Celebrates 40 Successful Years Through Diversification - Custer has maintained strong connections to the communities it serves — partnering with architecture and design firms regionally to deliver the products that fit the vision of the client.
- Herman Miller Teams with Nissan on Work From Anywhere Vehicle - The Office Pod Concept is part of Nissan’s continuing work on concept vehicles, mostly using its NV350 van as a base for other activities such as fishing or camping.
- Sid Meadows: The Power of Intention - When setting intentions, leave any fears you have behind and hold yourself accountable for your planned intention. These are not like goals, they are simply used to help you change your mindset and switch from negative thinking to positive.
- NeoCon Announces New Spring Virtual Programming to Compliment Show Set for October - The programming will take a deep dive into the future of the office and of work itself — from exploring the new office ecosystem to examining how other design sectors might influence workplace design.
- The Secret to a Healthier 2021 May Be in How We Sit - While people certainly knew the difference between a dining chair and an office chair prior to the pandemic, they underestimated the value of ergonomic office furniture.
- Upfront: BIFMA Compliant Launches - BIFMA Compliant is an industry-wide registry of furniture products conforming to BIFMA safety and durability standards. Compliant provides clarity to the market by differentiating products that meet established industry standards.
- Product Spotlight: Loftwall Launches Tempo: The Simplest Baffle System - Tempo addresses the largest complaint in modern workspaces and classrooms — noise — in an approachable way for designers, dealers and end users. With limitless combinations of shapes, sizes and colors, it can re-define a space without bankrupting a project.
- Stephen Says - "How to Avoid Poaching?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "The Power of Intention" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Asharq News Offices – Dubai
- FIRST LOOKS - Studio TK, Andreu World, Extremis, Integra, Fräsch, SIXINCH
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - March, 2021
- HOW I'M WORKING: ZOOMING TOWARD A BETTER MEETING SPACE - Since the pandemic hit, and everyone was forced to stay home, the virtual meeting platforms boomed. Last April, use of Zoom's software jumped 30-fold. At its peak, the firm counted more than 300 million daily participants in virtual meetings, while paying customers have more than tripled. When setting up a space for virtual meetings, there are a few important considerations, not all of them having to do with your workspace. Nothing can replace the connections we make at work — when we are physically in the same office together. But having the right virtual meeting setup can help you make the most of your time online. It doesn't take a lot of money or a bunch of new products to make that happen.
- MORE THAN HALF OF WORKERS SAY EMPLOYERS SHOULD OFFER VACCINE INCENTIVES - In terms of COVID testing, most (45%) say employers should cover the costs for any employer-mandated tests. Twenty-nine percent say the federal government should bear the costs, while 15% say insurance providers or state/local government (10%) should pay for required tests. Only two percent agree employees should pay. Regarding personal protective equipment, 71% are in agreement employers should encourage or require personal protective equipment at work. This is up from 64% from December 2020.
- KEEP COVID STRESS OUT OF YOUR CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION - This moment finds us with a different kind of anxiety. Pandemic-related stress is at an all-time high, and people are bringing it to work. It can show up in ugly ways, too. In a survey we conducted of 1,000 professionals, 38% said they experienced toxic workplace communication since shelter-in-place began. Yikes! Make healthy communication a thing in your company culture. Get on the same page with the other executives about the voice, tone and behavior norms you want to promote internally and externally. Then, make them stick by codifying them in your employee guidelines and brand style guide.
- THE SHOW MUST GO ON: CIFF RETURNS TO GUANGZHOU WITH GLIMPSE OF OFFICE OF THE FUTURE - CIFF has always combined business with the culture of good design. This year CIFF Guangzhou 2021 will offer more than 20 exhibitions and conferences involving companies, academies, schools and famous designers. CIFF not only brings high-quality distributors from Red Star Macalline, the largest furniture retailer in China, but also dealers, distributors, interior designers, real estate developers, government procurement groups and consumers. CIFM/interzum guangzhou 2021 will host hundreds of premium machinery and woodworking machinery, covering the entire industry of cutting-edge equipment, materials and technology needed for furniture manufacturing, such as hardware accessories, cabinet plates, edging and treatment of surfaces.
- THE NRP GROUP PROJECT 'ALWAYS GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLES OF HOLISTIC DESIGN' - Gala Magriñá, founder and principal of Gala Magriñá Design, worked closely with Jonathan Gertman, vice president of development at The NRP Group, to define style, needs and color palette — all while keeping the firm's holistic interior design principles in mind. All within the limited available square footage, Magriñá designed an open office, meeting room, single personal office and a reception area, with a multifunctional kitchen encompassing the meeting space and private office. The office's layout allows for the open section to be viewed from the kitchen/meeting room/private office area.
- PRODUCT REVIEWS - Stylex Trim Laptop Table - One of the great changes that has come from the pandemic and work-from-home movement is our ability to pull up a table to the most comfortable sofa or chair in our living room or den and get to work. THINKERS Notebook - A notebook is a notebook, right? What can possibly make one better than another? Yet technology is changing the way we take notes, share them and use them to be more creative. The best example of this can be found in the new THINKERS Notebook.
Business of Furniture - February 24, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Fall NeoCon is Full Steam Ahead - NeoCon may even extend the hours and the length of the show if there is a need to balance attendee capacity and traffic flow. Show dates for NeoCon 2022 will revert to June (June 13-15, 2022). Fingers crossed, if everything continues to improve, we should have a very busy fall to look forward to.
- Three Ways Companies Have Shifted to Survive the Pandemic - When the entire world is facing the same challenge, any petty industry rivalries really do go out the window. It's about humanity now, and that is being reflected in the way many brands across many industries are working.
- Creating Safe Places — Designers Look to Younger Generations for Inspired Diversity - Intersectionality is key when building a diversity program in the company — not only in recruiting efforts but in tenet as well. A certain foundation needs to be laid before genuine diversity is achieved.
- A Digital Revolution — Mortarr + INDEAL - 2021 will be a big year for expanding INDEAL dealership and brand representation on Mortarr. At the beginning of the year, Mortarr and INDEAL announced a partnership to help digitally strengthen the connection between the commercial interiors industry and the A&D world.
- How to Hybrid: Steelcase Global Report Reveals New Employee Needs For the Future Work Experience - Leaders want people to be together, but their old office won't work for the new reality.
- HOLLY HUNT Recommits to Long-Term Leases at Vornado Realty Trust Properties - This year also marks the brand's 20th anniversary at the A&D Building in New York.
- USGBC Top 10 States for LEED in 2020 - While offices, education and health care projects accounted for a majority of certifications, warehouses, distribution centers, multifamily and retail projects represented almost 20%.
- Upfront: Emerald Acquires EDspaces - "It is increasingly clear that effective design of education spaces will be more important than ever post-COVID-19, and it is gratifying and exciting to play a role in developing next-generation solutions for the industry," said Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, senior vice president, the Design Group, Emerald.
- Product Spotlight: Legrand Introduces C2G Performance Series HDMI Line and HDBaseT - The C2G HDBaseT extenders support up to 4K video resolution at a 60Hz frame rate for up to 130 feet over a single Cat6a.
- Stephen Says - "The Pandemic Is A Lazy Salesperson's Dream -- an Excuse for Not Coming In To Work, And I Have Had It!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Aon Offices – Milan
- FIRST LOOKS - MLI, Teknion, Framery, Landscape Forms, Kirei
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 17, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: It's Time to Focus on Diversity — Both Markets and People - Many of you run manufacturing companies, dealerships or design firms that might be too small to have a dedicated, executive-level position focused on diversity and inclusion, but that doesn't mean you can't learn from larger competitors how focusing on these topics can make a better company more attractive to potential employees and customers.
- Cheryl Kern, Herman Miller's New Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Reflects on 'Energizing, Exciting, Exhausting' Year and How Grassroots Initiatives Work Best - Diversity and inclusivity work best when it comes from the grassroots level, not the leadership level. Where the best companies get it right is that they have engagement that starts from the grassroots level, that everybody in the organization knows that their voice matters equally to everyone else's voices.
- Start the Year with a Resolution That Keeps — Home Office Upgrades Equate Better Health - While people understood the difference between a dining chair and an office chair prior to the pandemic, they underestimated the value of ergonomic office furniture.
- Knoll Sales Sank Last Year Despite Boost from Residential, Brighter Days Appear Ahead - Fourth quarter net Sales decreased 15.8% to $312.9 million, but work from home and residential sales growth continues.
- New ergoIQ HOME Optimizes Work-from-Home Employee Experience for Agile Businesses - Following the ergoIQ HOME assessment, ergoIQ FIT offers users a quick tune-up, demonstrating how professionals can configure their workstations for optimal health and comfort.
- Power A Whole Work From Home Set-Up...With Just One Plug - Byrne's new Branching Kits are super-powered 2-in-1 (or 3-in-1) solutions that put access with smart accessories above the surface or utility power below — or both.
- SIXINCH USA Partners with Populous to Bolster Portfolio - Populous approaches projects from the macro scale — site selection, architecture, urban planning — all the way down to the micro scale of materials, finishes and furnishings, providing a unified experience and an interwoven story.
- Upfront: BIFMA Revises Desk and Table Products Standard - The BIFMA subcommittee for desk and table standards worked on revising this ANSI standard for three years. Several multi-stakeholder lab workshops were held in 2018 and 2019.
- Product Spotlight: Patcraft Introduces Linocut - The visual was inspired by artful experiments with block printing, a process that led to a distinctive geometric aesthetic. Combining artistic inspiration and market insights, the Linocut collection supports the use of shape and color to create emotive spaces.
- Stephen Says - "Manufacturers and Dealers Ask: I Keep Offering Candidates Great Jobs and They Keep Turning me Down! Why?!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Everyday Decisions, BIG Impact" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - CapitaLand "The Galen" Lobby – Singapore
- FIRST LOOKS - Arc-Com, Flos, Maharam, MojoDesk, OMT-Veyhl, Mannington
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-February, 2021
- AOS INTERIOR ENVIRONMENTS: CONNECTING TO COMMUNITY IN THE BIG EASY - AOS has been outfitting New Orleans and the rest of southern Louisiana with great furniture for 45 years. The dealership has grown to be the largest in New Orleans by combining community pride with outstanding products and service. AOS also does things a little differently when it comes to the operations side of the business. The company does all the warehousing, delivery and installation functions largely in house, which is a rarity among dealers these days.
- A PERFECT PARTNERSHIP: TECHNOLOGY AND MANUAL LABOR - Without question, technology has long played a significant role in the design and construction of interior environments. Today, top‐tier installation companies are upping their technological prowess to keep the industry moving amid the worst market collapse in generations.
- WORKSCAPES HELPS TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL QUICKLY BUILD 17 ICU BAYS - Workscapes, an office interiors company in Tampa, Florida, recently completed a project with Tampa General Hospital.
- FROM THE EDITOR | WELCOME TO THE SECOND ISSUE OF MIDPOINT - This month we are focusing on installation, a major part of the sales process, especially at the dealer level.
- JIM HEILBORN | CHOOSING AN OUTSOURCE INSTALLATION COMPANY - Operational flexibility is one key to creating an operational profit center as opposed to just another cost center.
- STEFANIE INCE | THE CASE FOR SUPPORTING WORKPLACE WELLNESS AND EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING - INDEAL Cares' first annual employee health and wellness survey found 66% of respondents stated COVID-19 was taking a toll on their physical and emotional health.
- CHINA INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR REMAINS A CONSTANT, DESPITE LOCKDOWN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD - With an area of more than 8 million square feet, the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou is expected to host 4,000 exhibitors and 300,000 visitors.
- JC WHITE AWARDED BEST IN CLASS AGAIN - Haworth leadership announced JC White has been awarded 2021 Best In Class status.
- JK MOVING SERVICES HIRES MARK DINEEN AND ALYSON NASH: OFFICE FURNITURE VETERANS BRING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE TO EXPANDING SERVICE - JK Moving Services has hired Mark Dineen and Alyson Nash to its commercial business division to expand the furniture and workplace installation service provided to clients.
- ARCADIA AND ENCORE APPOINTS ALLYN-RAE GROUP AS INDEPENDENT SALES REPRESENTATIVES FOR FLORIDA - The Allyn-Rae Group focuses on marketing and branding, not only for their own firm, but the manufacturers they represent.
- WHEN FURNITURE INSTALLATION IS LITERALLY A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION - Commercial Furniture Transport was the one called recently for a project that is helping people survive the pandemic.
Business of Furniture - February 10, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: A Growing Confidence in the Economy is Great News for the Industry - Though we might have a few more rough months as the COVID bubble works its way through the system, there are brighter days on the horizon.
- Lectra Enters into a Memorandum of Understanding to Acquire Gerber Technology - By uniting, the two companies would become the ultimate Industry 4.0 for their customers.
- While Most of the World Remains Locked Down, China Prepares for CIFF Showtime - CIFF has always combined business with the culture of good design.
- Kimball Sales Strong in Healthcare; Workplace Shows Sequential Improvement - Second Quarter FY 2021 Highlights include: Net sales of $136.2 million, Gross margin of 33.4% with a Net loss of $0.8 million including $4.1 million of acquisition and restructuring charges.
- BIFMA Goes Virtual with 180° Event Focused on Workplace - The conference covered many topics, including technology, trends that are staying and those that are going, home office design, sustainability, returning to the office, ergonomics and keeping corporate culture intact.
- Introducing Supreen: A Revolutionary Performance Upholstery Fabric - Along with its performance capabilities, what sets Supreen apart is its plush hand for such a high-duty material, while retaining the softness of a woven fabric.
- How The Interiors Industry Can Transition Diversity and Equity from Words to Actions - An example of this education can be seen through programs like Design Museum Everywhere's Diversity in Action, where participants learn why diversity, equity and inclusion creates better design.
- Upfront: Solomon Coyle Releases 2020-Q4 Market Outlook Report — Pipeline Activity Positive in All Regions for First Time - For the first time since the launch of the Market Outlook Survey (2020-Q2), pipeline activity in all regions is positive. Expected bookings is up significantly for Q2, at 3.49%. This is very encouraging and may be an indication that things are starting to turn around for the industry.
- Product Spotlight: The HON Company Introduces Cliq Collaborative Task Seating - Light-scaled for a clean and modern look, Cliq is a stylish seating solution that fits the way you move, the way you sit and the way you stay productive. The design allows exceptional comfort, easy maneuvering and reliable support.
- Stephen Says - "When I Am Wrong, I Am Wrong!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Havas Group Offices – Sydney
- FIRST LOOKS - 3form, Frövi, Turf Design, Smith & Fong, Carl Hansen & Son
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 3, 2021
- KIRKBRIDE: Feast on This Smorgasbord - This week I'm going to try something a little different. Instead of filling your plate with one dish, I'm going to give you the smorgasbord, a whole heaping of bite-sized bits of news. I'm also going to give you a few sneak peaks at what we are working on for coming issues.
- Clear Office Connects Used Office Furniture Sellers to Buyers - Commercial furniture isn't like a Bic lighter that is purchased and thrown away. It is a valuable asset if the seller and buyer can connect. That's what Clear Office is designed to do.
- Feeling Slumpy with the Remote-Working Blues? Try These Tips. - Most companies have staff with young families and are balancing their jobs, homeschooling and daycare with their spouses, leaving even less free time. Things are different right now. Time management needs to adjust to accommodate the disruptions.
- Carnegie Announces Exclusive US Partnership with WOOD-SKIN - Carnegie continues to expand its finished product portfolio with new additions.
- Steelcase Earns Top Designation as Best Place to Work For LGBTQ Equality - Launched in 2002, the HRC Foundation's Corporate Equality Index has become a roadmap and benchmarking tool for U.S. businesses.
- Desk Tips from Room & Board - Room & Board Business Interiors is launching new desks in February. Nicole Gaynor with Room & Board Business Interiors offers tips for finding the perfect desk below.
- The Future of Sales - For the past week I've been involved in a conversation on LinkedIn and Clubhouse about the future of sales. It's been really interesting to hear the different perspectives from salespeople and sales leaders in a variety of industries, looking in on the current status of things from different vantage points.
- Upfront: INDEAL Releases Volume 6 of Inspiration at Work - The bi-annual publication can help dealers develop new client relationships by appealing to creative sensibilities, with each volume featuring a unique expression of art outside the commercial furniture industry.
- Product Spotlight: UF Chair by Sunon Released with a Clever Innovative Feature - Developed in cooperation with ITO Design, UF has a vertically movable backrest that is also sound-absorbing. If one moves the backrest upwards, the chair offers a high degree of privacy; if one leaves it down, it conveys a communicative openness.
- Stephen Says - "Au Courant or Ancient History: When Searching for a Job, How Long Should Companies be Held Responsible for Ethical Lapses -- Both Real and Perceived?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "The Future of Sales" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Vizor Interactive Offices – Minsk, Belarus
- FIRST LOOKS - Arc-Com, DuraCare Seating, KFI Studio, Scandinavian Spaces, GlasPro, Bosse, Camira
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - February, 2021
- HOW I'M WORKING: PUSHING AWAY FROM THE DESK - The desk has become ubiquitous with work. In the typical office, it is the personal hub for nearly all heads-down activities. So as the coronavirus forced us from the office to our homes, many of us found ourselves lacking this critical tool. Some displaced workers had home offices set up already, but many of us found ourselves trying to find the right tools to work from home.
- WHAT IF YOUR EMPLOYEES DON'T WANT TO COME BACK TO THE OFFICE - There are no two people who are the exact same, so creating a solution that is flexible and inclusive to anyone we employ is more important now that ever before.
- SHRM'S PARAGONLABS KICKS OFF NATIONAL COMPETITION IN SEARCH OF BEST WORKPLACE TECHNOLOGIES - In Chicago, the finalists will present to a panel of judges composed of HR and business leaders in front of an audience of investors, HR professionals, fellow innovators and leading media organizations. The winner of the Better Workplaces Challenge Cup will receive a cash prize of $50,000 and learn about investment opportunities to get their innovation off the ground and in workplaces.
- NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION, COGNIZANT US FOUNDATION LAUNCH WORKFORCE INNOVATION NETWORK TO SUPPORT A ROBUST, EQUITABLE RECOVERY - In advance of launching the network, NGA hosted more than 100 participants from 32 states for the Creating an Agenda for Workforce Recovery workshop series. The four-part series covered key topics such as how to expand access to essential services and advancing digital inclusion.
- RESEARCH FINDS FEMALE EMPLOYEES HARDEST HIT BY PANDEMIC AND WORKING FROM HOME - Prior research has shown in households where two partners are employed, women typically engage in household tasks more than men. And during national lockdowns and the closure of schools, the burden of household tasks tends to increase for couples with children as they become compelled to assist with children's virtual learning.
- WHAT WORKERS WANT: TIME OFF, FLEXIBILITY, PAID LEAVE - It's important to look holistically at a paid leave strategy. Companies should have a diverse portfolio of paid leave options to meet the needs of diverse employees.
- HINDSIGHT IS 2020: 5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME OFFICE MORE COMFORTABLE IN 2021 - Incorporating height-adjustable solutions into your workstation is essential for a balanced and healthy way of working. The benefits of sit/stand go beyond increasing our well-being and reducing the risk of injury. Research has shown standing for just 15 minutes every hour boosts circulation, takes pressure off the spine and balances muscle use.
- HOW TO KEEP YOUR CULTURE THRIVING OUTSIDE THE OFFICE DURING COVID - Each company has a unique culture, a reason why people like working there and why it's successful. The best companies are very intentional about their culture, and it's more important than ever.
- US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ISSUES STRONGER WORKPLACE GUIDANCE ON COVID-19 - The guidance details key measures for limiting coronavirus's spread, including ensuring infected or potentially infected people are not in the workplace, implementing and following physical distancing protocols and using surgical masks or cloth face coverings.
- NOTCH FOR CORPORATE WORKPLACE TEAMS - Teams that oversee workplace design and management at large companies can leverage Notch to outfit new locations and track assets and inventory across a portfolio of spaces. Notch can also be used as a tool to manage the setup and tracking of company-owned furniture, fixtures and equipment distributed to employees for home office setup.
- COLLABORATING FOR A CLOSE-UP: NEW ANGLE FILMS AND NELSON WORLDWIDE JOIN FORCES TO SUCCEED IN A WORLD RULED BY VIRTUAL VIDEO - In addition to developing a skillset that includes voice, diction, active listening and visual cues through their work with New Angle Films, the NELSON team also learned to control the things you can — like lighting and sound — so that when things that are out of your control go wrong — like a dog barking — you won't be as jarred and stressed out having to handle them.
- PRODUCT REVIEWS - Etc. Brutus Shelves - Regardless of whether we work at home or the office, one piece of furniture that can be found in both are shelves. Rush Charge Hinge - Few things are more irritating than your phone dying when you really need it.
Business of Furniture - January 27, 2021
- Kirkbride: Our Environmental Responsibility for Furniture does not End with the Sale - We've done a great job sourcing recycled plastics and paints, using alternative veneers and staying away from poisonous chemicals but drop the ball when it comes to what happens to our furniture after it is no longer wanted or needed. As an industry, we need to redouble our efforts to keep our products from entering the landfill.
- Meet Arik Levy: Designer of Marien152 - The idea for Marien152 came from thinking about every time I bought a chair since I was born — there's always something added to it — a little cushion on top that makes it a little bit more comfortable or something that adapts (to) the person who bought it and so on. This makes sense in an environment where everybody does their own thing, but in the working environment it doesn't. So I thought, "How can we design a single product that fits the needs of many different people?"
- Chris Binnendyk Becomes the Majority Shareholder and CEO of Three H - Binnendyk will assume several key executive functions as CEO.
- How CEUs will Evolve in 2021 and Beyond - Architects and designers have always needed CEUs to keep their accreditations. But in today's world of digital prevalence, where information can be sourced from everywhere, it's elevating the expectations of CEUs from a content and a delivery perspective.
- Introducing Ark, New Strategic Consultancy Guiding Organizations through Uncertain Times - The company is excited to bring a new level of analytical rigor to the strategic level conversations about the future of work and organizational performance.
- Allsteel Partners with Swedish Acoustic Solutions Brand Zilenzio Building on a Comprehensive Workspace Portfolio - All Zilenzio products are influenced by Scandinavian design principles, and its portfolio includes designs from Norm Architects and Note Design studio.
- Sweeping Research Shows Workers Want Freedom Within a Framework Rather Than a Rigid Formal Policy - Working from home and working at the office doesn't work for everyone all the time. Regardless, research shows management is beginning to have its say as well.
- Upfront: Kimball International Launches Groundbreaking Health Furnishings Brand Interwoven - Interwoven provides purposeful solutions to the health care marketplace, enabling its clients to safely care for patients, families, staff and community.
- Product Spotlight: Jax, Sol and Mila Recognized with Good Design Awards - Jax, Sol and Mila from 9to5 Seating creatively address needs in the market while delivering on style.
- Stephen Says - "Is Your Email Address Costing You a Job?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - MediaWorks Offices – Auckland
- FIRST LOOKS - Allseating, Global, Designtex, Studio TK, 3form
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 20, 2021
- Kirkbride: The Shows Must Go On - Our industry needs live, in-person events, and they must restart as soon as is safely possible. If we lose the fall season of industry events, I'm not sure if they will ever recover. That's why it is so important to support them.
- Creating Spaces for Neurodiversity, HOK Aims for Seamless Solutions - Ways to support neurodiverse people with design include lighting, materiality, color and natural elements to make these spaces more humanized. Alternatively, designers need to create spaces where people can go and get that energy out of their body in an acceptable way.
- Introducing HAT Collective - HAT Collective will build upon the "easy-to-do-business-with" philosophy, a hallmark carried over from its legacy product line brands. The collection offers a "one-stop" simplified purchasing and ordering process for dealers.
- 2021 Reset: Is Your Office Ready? - Hand-washing stations will probably be a permanent fixture in offices; plexiglas probably won't. Hands-free plumbing fixtures and better air handling and clean are permanent; temperature taking probably isn't.
- Leland Refocuses Brand on "The Good Life" - The new focus will be on human comfort and wellness and how the Leland story intersects with its customers.
- Brand New Design Event Workspace Show Launches in London - The show, which will offer free entry for trade visitors, will presentmore than 100 exhibitors and more than 70 product launches across the office, education and health care sectors from the world's leading brands.
- Upfront: Steelcase Named One of America's Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek - This year Steelcase announced it has achieved carbon neutrality for its own operations and set ambitious carbon goals validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
- Product Spotlight: 9to5 Seating Launches Nautilus Card to Address Challenges of High-traffic Spaces - Aimed at filling a demand in the market for reliable textiles designed for high-traffic spaces, the Nautilus patterns all have 100,000 or more double-rub abrasion ratings.
- Product Spotlight: ESI Introduces Sena Monitor Arm Series and PowerHub Desktop Charging Station - The Sena series comes with a patent-pending, double-track slider with 11 inches of adjustability on an eight-inch slider, allowing the monitor to precisely fit the optimal ergonomic placement of each user.
- Stephen Says - "Why Am I Paying A Car Allowance if My Employees Are Not Driving for Sales Calls?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Your Greatest Gift: Staying Present, Choosing Focus & Where to Start" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - BE Meliorism Offices – Dubai
- FIRST LOOKS - Camira, Global
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Midpoint Magazine - Mid-January, 2021
- WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE OF MIDPOINT - Magazines take a few issues to really get rolling. You may not have heard about Midpoint until now, and we don't blame you (we were in the depths of the pandemic when the magazine was announced). Midpoint will be 100% dealer/rep focused. That gives us a lot more latitude in what we publish. The magazine could not have happened without the help and encouragement from our friends at INDEAL, the dealer group that has grown from a purchasing group to the de facto dealer organization in the industry.
- THE PHYSICS OF SALES - By Jim Heilborn | Too many salespeople are busy but not productive. It is often because they have no real daily plan of action. It is critical for salespeople to stay in motion.
- STUDIO BY DEKKO'S LUNA SHINES IN EXPANDING GALAXY OF DEKKO DESIGNS AND PRODUCTS - Luna, unveiled last fall, stands alone as a striking statement piece while providing a powerful charging capability for all kinds of devices — smartphones, tablets, computers — and for settings that include homes, hotels, offices and hybrid spaces. Dekko collaborated with Gensler, serving as product design consultant, for Luna.
- 'MOVING DESIGNERS' PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP DEALERS CONNECT TO CUSTOMERS AND HELP IN THE SALES PROCESS - The dealer designer is such a critical role, such an important role, and sometimes overlooked or forgotten in the sales process. The job is getting even more challenging since much is now done on Zoom calls, and technology is becoming more complex.
- OFFICE REVOLUTION ACCELERATES GROWTH WITH LOCATION IN RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - The Raleigh location is the first outside of the Midwest market for Office Revolution, which is headquartered in Chicago and has locations in suburban Chicago and Columbus, Ohio. The company is one of the largest Teknion dealers in the country and has been recognized with Teknion's Orion Award for excellence in sales, service, community involvement and customer satisfaction.
- HAT CONTRACT / SIS ERGO DOES ITS 'HOMEWORK' - HomeWork does more than simply sell the product through an e-commerce website. The products are packaged properly for home delivery, installation services are offered and marketing support is provided. HomeWork helps HAT Contract/SiS Ergo maintain and strengthen its relationships with its dealers.
- FORWARD SPACE CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF NEW MILWAUKEE SHOWROOM - The new building is at 2020 South Street 4th Street, directly across the Kinnickinnic River from Michels Corporation's new headquarters. In addition to the new Milwaukee showroom, Forward Space has a newly renovated satellite office in Chicago's Merchandise Mart and in December had a ribbon cutting at its more than 100,000 square foot headquarters and warehouse in Wood Dale, Illinois.
- RESOLUTIONS FOR A HEALTHY NEW YOU - Sometimes, the resolutions that people choose are restrictive and unsustainable, leading most people to break their resolutions within a few weeks…resulting in people making the same resolutions year after year. This year try to make resolutions that can improve your health – and can be followed for life!
- FURNISHING INSPIRING SPACES - THREE NORTH AMERICAN FURNITURE DEALERS JOIN TOGETHER TO FORM ONE: 'THE COLLECTIVE' - This new furniture titan will become the largest Teknion furniture dealer in North America, positioning itself to manage furniture standards for its extensive portfolio of clients in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.
- SITONIT SEATING CONSOLIDATED CATALOG AVAILABLE IN 2020 OFFICE - The new catalog provides customers with a one-stop shop experience for products which previously were separated into three different catalogs.
- TAMPA DEALER WORKSCAPES SIGNS WAREHOUSE DEAL NEAR YBOR CITY, PLANS TO LEAVE WEWORK PLACE IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA - The new location will also serve as a last-mile fulfillment facility for Workscapes clients on the Gulf Coast, Founder and CEO Elizabeth Dvorak said. It will be home to 35 employees.
Business of Furniture - January 13, 2021
- Kirkbride: The World Needs a Personal Work Pod and We Should Design It - A semi-private, personal booth, smartly designed (that doesn't look like a cube) is sorely needed. I hope to see some examples of this when we all meet for NeoCon in October.
- A Workplace that Works for Everyone? Innovation Summit Explores the Future of Workplace Design - Health care is highly personal, of course, and what's true for one is not true for another, even if the diagnosis is the same.
- LOGICDATA, Herman Miller Team Up on DC-Powered Height-Adjustable Desk - The work between Herman Miller, LOGICDATA and VoltServer is leading the furniture maker into conversations about how to take the innovation and move it from a single customer to other projects.
- Experts Weigh In on Commercial Furniture M&A During COVID-19 - 2021 is expected to be a boom year for mergers and acquisitions.
- Manufacturer's Question: How Is BIFMA Helping my Company Workers Get the Vaccine? Maybe It's Time To Fire More People? - This, of course, is a state-by-state issue.
- Four Remote-Work Elements Employees Will Crave in an In-Person Office - There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but it's important to have a sufficient amount of space to enable de-densification, and therefore, providing a safe working environment is a key consideration.
- Upfront: Landscape Forms Named 2020 Michigan Manufacturer of the Year - From electronic assembly, to powdercoating and welding, all manufacturing roles at Landscape Forms are supported by robust internal training programs.
- Product Spotlight: Allseating's Levo and Innate Win 2020 GOOD DESIGN Awards - Levo is a task chair designed for optimal vertebrae support that suits the needs and aesthetics of the modern office.
- Stephen Says - "Manufacturer's Question: How Is BIFMA Helping my Company Workers Get the Vaccine? Maybe It's Time To Fire More People?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - BECI Offices – Brussels
- FIRST LOOKS - Arc-Com, Chief, Fräsch
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 6, 2021
- Kirkbride: 2021 Rings in a Welcome Reconnection and Celebration that will be as Fantastic as the Darkest Days of 2020 were Bleak - It has been a crippling year on so many levels. And yet we persist and survive.
- BREAKING NEWS: Claridge Products Announces New Partnership With Skylark Private Equity - Claridge has been owned by the Clavey family of Harrison, AR since its founding.
- Be Extraordinary: Incorporating Focus, Kindness, Imperfection, Connection and Joyfulness into Your Life - A lot of extraordinary people in the world don't realize they are extraordinary or living an extraordinary life, impacting people with their words, outlook, smile and encouragement.
- Exclusive Look at FCA's Research into the Future of Law Office Design - Moving forward, the survey shows the future of law office design will see reduced standardized footprints, efficient in purpose and appointments.
- Work From Home Safety Act Passes Congress Establishes National Flammability Standard - The new law instructs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish conformance with California TB-117-2013 as a national standard in the United States.
- Naturally Occurring Colors Provide the Groundwork for Diverse Interiors - Captivating and pleasing to the eye, these six distinct and tactile colors offer a usable palette for any interior.
- Furniture Maker Uhuru Introduces High-Design, Affordable Work-from-Home Office Brand—Propr - Propr is representative of Uhuru's distinguished designs, while incorporating a lighter, brighter and more colorful element that stays true to ITS New American Design roots.
- Upfront: INDEAL Announces Partnership With Mortarr - INDEAL has partnered with Mortarr, a marketing platform for the commercial furniture industry, providing program members with an opportunity to increase online visibility. The relationship expands INDEAL's offering of digital tools that help members connect with clients virtually.
- Product Spotlight: ESI Introduces the LotusRT Sit-Stand Workstation and Hana Work from Home Product Series - Designed to support the way people work wherever they work, the LotusRT comes with single and dual monitor options, and the Hana series offers a monitor riser, laptop support and foot support. All products are available in black and white with a designer wood veneer finish.
- Stephen Says - "Residential Is the New Contract and It's As Hot As Gender Neutral Restrooms" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Be Extraordinary: Incorporating Focus, Kindness, Imperfection, Connection and Joyfulness in Your Life" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - CBRE Offices – Helsinki
- FIRST LOOKS - Narbutas, AIS
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 23 & 30, 2020
- Kirkbride: Quarterly Financial Reports Lack Context...Until Now - The problem is, these reports are written in a way that makes them tough to read if you aren't a financial wonk. And even if you are, you have to read between the lines to suss out what is really being said.
- Versteel History as Told by its Employees - In the early 1990s, Versteel patented a folding table mechanism that provided reliability and flexibility for customers and helped to launch the brand to the next level.
- Byrne Helps Make Employees' Dreams of US Citizenship a Reality - In 2020, six Byrne employees have celebrated their newly minted U.S. citizenship.
- Sourcing for Commercial-Grade Home Office Setups - If nothing else, COVID-19 has shown us future attraction and retention policies must now incorporate details surrounding home office stipends and the quantification of remote work.
- Steelcase Ekes Out a Small Profit Through Serious Belt-Tightening - "I'm proud of the dedication and agility of our employees, who helped us deliver a profit this quarter despite the challenges our business faced from the second wave of COVID cases and the temporary shutdown of our operations."
- Herman Miller Retail Skyrockets to Partially Buoy Slumping Contract Sales - The almost overnight shift to work from home caused by the pandemic has validated the notion not all work needs to be done in the office, and people can be productive working from a network of locations as long as they have the proper tools.
- Experts Discuss the Future of Design for Academia - Some of the fundamental questions being asked now is who really needs to be on campus to perform their job tasks.
- Upfront: Tampa Dealer Workscapes Signs Warehouse Deal near Ybor City, Plans to Leave WeWork Place in Downtown Tampa - Workscapes will lease 31,820 square feet in Tampa Fulfillment Center, a newly built warehouse at 101 S. 34th St. It will vacate its 7,700-square-foot storefront in WeWork Place at 501 E. Kennedy Blvd.
- Product Spotlight: BuzziSpace's New Workstations Erases Distractive Noise from Workplace - Designed to act as a freestanding room within a room, BuzziNest comes in two models: BuzziNest Booth and BuzziNest Pod.
- Stephen Says - "New Haworth Strategy? Instead of Poaching Individual Sales People, Poach the Whole Dealership!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Thank You, 2020!" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Sela Logistics Offices – Ashdod, Israel
- FIRST LOOKS - Camira, Martin Brattrud, Bentley, Turf Design, Arc-Com
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 16, 2020
- Kirkbride: Would You Pay to Work in a Hotel Room? Me Neither - Though I miss spending a few nights in a hotel, I don't miss trying to work in my room. I think most business travelers feel the same way.
- AIS Defeats Desk Spaghetti — Calibrate Community for the Win - With a simple kit of parts, Community can be scaled from open plan environments to work walls creating naturally defined user spaces.
- Landscape Forms Acquires Loll Designs - The two companies focus on great design, are located in the Midwest and make all their products in the U.S. The partnership formed over the last few years and culminated in the announcement of the acquisition.
- LightCorp Enters Power Distribution Market with Introduction of Nik - LightCorp developed Nik in-house and is already in discussions with some of its OEM partners on adapting it for future use.
- Vari to Open Third VariSpace Location in Dallas-Ft. Worth - VariSpace Coppell, Leasing in 2021, will be the next Vari headquarters.
- US Hiring Outlooks Continue To Improve For Q1 - However, pre-pandemic hiring levels will take longer to return.
- 'Energy, Clarity and Hope' Mixed with 'Solid and Dependable,' Pantone Reveals Color(s) of the Year 2021 - Ultimate Gray and Illuminating are a great combination to set the mood in any room in the home, adding a dose of sunshine and positivity.
- Inscape Sees Steep Sales Drop in Fiscal Q2 - Total sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 were $7.2 million, compared To $23.3 million for the same period of fiscal 2020.
- Virco Q3 Sales Fall 15.3% - Through summer, the Company noted a meaningful shift in demand toward individual student desks and chairs that could be more easily distanced within existing facilities.
- Upfront: Kimball International Announces Closing of Poppin Acquisition - This was a strategically compelling combination for both companies that has positioned us to gain share and successfully navigate a dynamic marketplace.
- Product Spotlight: Kebony Rolls Out Inaugural Line of Commercial Outdoor Furniture - Named after the northernmost region of Norway, North Cape features modern design and steel-framed construction with Kebony Clear grade slats.
- Stephen Says - "HR Director Asks: Why Does it Take Us So Long to Make a Hire?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Anteus Constructora Offices – Zapopan, Mexico
- FIRST LOOKS - Concertex, G&S Acoustics, Versteel
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 9, 2020
- Kirkbride: Happy Weary Willie Day (and all the Other Holidays We Celebrate) - Weary Willie Day was named for the character made famous by Emmett Kelly, who was born on this day in 1898. Weary Willie Day celebrates the art of clowning and the impact it has had on our lives.
- Productivity, Less Stress, Better Health — It Starts with Sleep - Sleep is the body's most powerful way to restore, regenerate and reorganize itself.
- Uhuru Strengthens its Work from Home Offering - Though no one would hope for or could have predicted the COVID-19 pandemic, Uhuru's strategy is playing into the current work trends.
- Mentoring the Next Generation of Designers ... Remotely - To help bridge this interim gap, management must recognize some obvious limitations. For starters, millennials cannot learn if they don't have access to mentors.
- Workplace 2030 Launches World's First Epidemiologically-Guided Office of the Future - Prototype People are expecting to go back to a workplace that is more restrictive, but what about one that's more collaborative, welcoming, comfortable, while also advancing employee health and safety significantly?
- CBRE's Office Ready Simplifies Office Fit-Outs - By compressing the upfront planning process with pre-built design and materials options, Office Ready provides significant cost-savings and speed-to-market while also managing risk and suppliers for the client.
- Upfront: COVID-19 and the Built Environment Industry Impact Report - The 2020 impact report is the latest addition in a series of environmental scans undertaken by CIDA to forecast changes influencing interior design practice.
- Product Spotlight: LG Hausys Floors Introduces Atmosphere - Atmosphere is a new homogeneous sheet solution created to meet the rigorous health, safety and design requirements for health care environments. Featuring LG Hausys’s new, innovative chip design, Atmosphere combines best-in-class durability, anti-bacterial properties and ease-of-maintenance.
- Stephen Says - "I left Steelcase for RH and Never Looked Back; Is RH the Trader Joe's of Furniture?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Leaps and Bounds" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Autodesk Offices – Krakow, Poland
- FIRST LOOKS - KFI Studios, Ultrafabrics, Arconas, Dekko, Poltrona Frau and Directa Plus
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 2, 2020
- Kirkbride: Emerge from Your Tryptophan-Induced Stupor with a New Focus on 2021 - Start making appointments with customers so you are ready when the shift happens. In the meantime, use the time between now and spring to whip your business into shape.
- NeoCon PPP: Legrand is the Power Behind Reconfigurable Offices - There are many brands under the Legrand umbrella, but the company operates four brands that work specifically in the contract interiors realm. Connectrac, Middle Atlantic Products, Chief and Wiremold Products. And all can help companies get facilities back on track following the pandemic with options from The Power to Change program.
- DeVorm's Signature Chair Debuts New Coat of Colors - Designed by Benjamin Hubert, founder of LAYER, Pod Privacy Chair was the first PET felt chair Dutch furniture brand De Vorm created — 600 PET bottles are recycled to produce one Pod, and the chair remains the biggest shape ever produced using this material.
- Salone del Mobile.Milano 2021 will be Held in September - President of the Salone del Mobile, Claudio Luti, had this to say: "Being able to hold the Salone next year is an absolute priority for all those of us whose lives revolve around design."
- JANUS et Cie Announces Interactive VR Experience for Beverly Boulevard Showroom - A destination in its own right, the new flagship's features mirror the company's service-driven culture. JANUS et Cie Beverly Boulevard is not only a source of visual inspiration and reference, but a place to meet with clients, grab a coffee and get to work with a dedicated team of specialists.
- Don't Leave Ergonomics at the Office - Knowing we can be just as productive and move just as little while working from home, it makes sense a lot of companies are planning on keeping some form of work from home flexibility moving forward, even after COVID-19 is gone.
- Product Spotlight: Wilsonart Launches Nine New Woodgrain Designs to Bring Unique Style to Commercial Spaces - Wilsonart has announced the release of nine new woodgrain styles that combine the best of nature with exceptional engineering. The collection of dimensional wood-textured laminate surfaces help cultivate an aesthetic appeal in commercial spaces. Matching Edgeband and TFL Panels are available.
- Stephen Says - "Sales Goals Are Too High? It's Groundhog's Day for Reps" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - MLT Aikins Offices – Saskatoon, Canada
- FIRST LOOKS - Hightower, Frövi, Flos
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - December, 2020 & January, 2021
- WHERE I'M WORKING: BETTS, 2000 E 9TH ST., CLEVELAND - Casual and cozy with delicious food, Betts is a great place to grab a bite to eat and get a little work done. The small restaurant next to the Kimpton Schofield Hotel in downtown Cleveland is relatively new and features breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks centered around classic American dishes with an emphasis on freshness, quality and whole foods. All-in-all, Betts is a great place to grab a few hours of work when in downtown Cleveland.
- CORT BUSINESS SERVICES LAUNCHES 4SITE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM TO OPTIMIZE WORKSPACES AND ENHANCE EMPLOYEE SAFETY - CORT Business Services is launching a user analytics service called 4SITE to help businesses make informed decisions about the future of their office space prior to lease expiration, optimize their existing workspaces, reduce real estate costs and enhance employee safety measures. 4SITE technology is designed to deliver the data our customers need in order to effectively and efficiently understand if their office space is working for them. Understanding how employees are interacting with workspaces is even more important in these uncertain times.
- SURVEY OF REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS CONFIRMS OVERWHELMING EXPECTATION OF LONG-TERM COVID IMPACTS - The first global report to look at the impact of the Future of Work on real estate and cities over the next three to five years foresees a strong focus on flexibility, demanded by both workers and corporates, not only relating to the work activity but also the space and location. The majority of real estate professionals view that more than 60% of employees may be spending more than 40% of their time working remotely, in comparison to 20% of staff working 20% of their time remotely pre-COVID-19.
- SURVEY REVEALS 60% OF THE MOST PRODUCTIVE AND ENGAGED WORKERS ARE FREQUENTLY OFFERED VIRTUAL SOCIAL WORK EVENTS DURING COVID-19 - The findings provide insight into the productivity and engagement levels of those who have been working from home since the pandemic started and the challenges they've encountered. Additionally, the results reveal insights into how connected workers feel about colleagues while working remotely, what they need to be more successful in working from home and how working from home has positively impacted their lives.
- ENGAGEMENT IS KEY TO RETAIN WORKERS - For the 2020 report, Quantum Workplace data pulled from 1.2 million employee engagement surveys the company collected from more than 12,000 companies across 43 cities in 27 states. The company reveals how successful organizations maximize their talent throughout the employee life cycle. When employees witness professional growth and career development opportunities within their own organizations, they are 2.5x more likely to be highly engaged (89%) than those who do not (36%).
- WHEN YOUR WORKPLACE IS A SPORTS STADIUM AND ENTERTAINMENT SHOWPLACE - Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse recently underwent a $185 million renovation that transformed the publicly owned venue into a modernized world-class sports and entertainment showplace. The all-new building has been re-designed into a modernized, world-class attraction. It is the 27th busiest venue in the world and the 11th busiest in the country. One of the centerpieces of the renovation is the steel curtain created by Eventscape, an art and architecture fabrication company that undertook its largest architectural installation to date.
- THE OFFICE AS A DESTINATION - The office is a place for motivation, competition, and innovation. Employees miss the friendships, personal interaction, face time with the boss, hearing conversations, and spontaneous innovation that happens in the hallways. The largest work from home experiment in history has shown that many people can do their jobs from their living room. But the million-dollar question is determining who wants to return to the office. One thing is clear amid the turmoil – the expectations for office design have changed. It will take more than white walls and basic furniture to lure someone out of their sweatpants.
- PRODUCT REVIEWS - Humanscale Razer Ergonomic Mouse / AIRLIFT Height Adjustable Desk / Ankndo 3-in-1 Magnetic Charging Cable / AIS Laptop Table
Business of Furniture - November 25, 2020
- Kirkbride: Hold on a Little While Longer: Offices Will Emerge from Pandemic More Important Than Ever - One way or another, COVID-19 cases are going to drop, either through herd immunity or the successful rollout of one of the very promising vaccines, which should be available to the general public by spring.
- USGBC Readies the Green Building Industry for a LEED Positive Future During Greenbuild and Announces the 2020 Leadership Award Recipients - During education sessions and keynote addresses, USGBC outlined commitments and actions to help support a healthy, sustainable, resilient and equitable recovery.
- Yorgo Lykouria: From the Agile Office to the Resilient Workplace: Why the Post-Pandemic World Needs High-Level Thinking - The spaces we inhabit should be reinvented on every level to support progress and accommodate our needs.
- Season of Thanksgiving - What is a Season of Thanksgiving? Well, for me and my family, it's being actively committed to looking at all the things each of us are thankful for, day by day and all the things going well in our lives.
- Replace Design Assumptions with Fact in Today's Uncertain Environment - Sampling remains one of the most prominent concerns for designers across the board. With limited access (in many cases) to showrooms or their firm's personal libraries, designers struggle to get their hands on physical samples.
- KWK Architects Supports School of Medicine Mission Through Planning and Project Activities at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis - Gaining a thorough understanding of just how the school of medicine utilized its existing space was an important step in the process.
- Product Spotlight: National Office Furniture Launches Dynamic Products and Surface Material Solutions - The Tarver collection of tables, storage and mobile ancillary pieces unifies bold design, industrial beauty and the natural characteristics of wood and steel.
- Upfront: Lauren Rottet's New Introductions for Haworth Collections - Suitable for high-impression and social spaces in commercial and hospitality environments, the Lyda is available in a range of styles and a choice of sizes and forms.
- Stephen Says - "Can Scruff Get a Man Fired?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Season of Thanksgiving" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Schneider Electric Offices – Izmir, Turkey
- FIRST LOOKS - Arc-Com, Wilsonart, Arcadia
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 18, 2020
- Kirkbride: No Vacation in Sight? Forget Work from Home. Try Work from Holiday Instead - All of us are working from home. So I reasoned, since we are all working virtually, why not work from somewhere a little more pleasant than the gray, rainy and dreary weather found in Grand Rapids in the late fall?
- What does the Rep Group of the Future Look Like? Check out CSG in Southeast Michigan - CSG is a good example of a rep group that hasn't stood still, even during a pandemic. Business does not have to stop if you have good ideas and are willing to innovate.
- Remote Working Means Making Homes Work - Work life balance has shifted, and many like working from home now. Could this be a negotiating factor in the future of recruiting, hiring and employee retention?
- Herman Miller Unveils Experiential Retail Locations in Los Angeles and New York City - Designed in-house by Herman Miller's creative design team, each 1,500 square-foot store features immersive vignettes that highlight the iconic products and innovative solutions for the home office.
- WB Wood Becomes a Haworth Dealer in the New York Metro Region - "Our new partnership with Haworth is a perfect strategic and cultural fit for our clients and employees alike," said Richard Mines, owner of WB Wood.
- Spotlight on Seating: Home Office Chairs — Ergonomic Options are Plentiful, But Experts Say Not All Are Necessary - A proper office chair is the foundation of a healthy ergonomic work environment.
- Solomon Coyle Q3 Dealer Report Reflects Cautiously Positive Outlook on Industry's Recovery - While the major manufacturers reported a decrease in sales against the quarter year-to-date, there was still an improvement over Q2.
- Product Spotlight: Medley Introduces Hank Monitor Desk Handcrafted from FSC-Certified Wood - As with all of Medley's products, the Hank Monitor Desk is made-to-order and handcrafted in the brand's Los Angeles workshop using old school techniques. In contrast to mass production, each piece can be customized to meet the client's exact needs.
- Upfront: Sedus Mourns Holger Jahnke - Holger Jahnke, supervisory board spokesperson and member of the management board responsible for marketing and sales of Sedus Stoll, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Nov. 10 at the age of 55.
- Cyberattack Shut Down Steelcase Order Management, Manufacturing and Distribution Systems and Operations for Nearly Two Weeks - Steelcase also has incurred modest incremental costs relating to remediating, restoring and reinforcing its systems.
- CDC Study Shows Employees Working in the Office Almost Double Their COVID-19 Risk - Adults who received positive test results for SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to report exclusively going to an office or school setting in the 2 weeks before illness onset, compared with those who tested negative, even among those working in a profession outside of the critical infrastructure.
- Stephen Says - "Spurned Job Candidate Asks: Should I Expect a Look from Company I Previously Interviewed With?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "15-Minutes of Fame?" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Olka Offices and Showroom – Istanbul
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: Scandinavian Spaces, Encore, 3form, Unika Vaev, Duvaltex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 11, 2020
- Kirkbride: Introducing Midpoint, a New Publication that will Serve the Dealer/Rep Community - Midpoint will be filled with information for and about dealers and reps. Think of best practices that can be shared, innovative projects and dealer involvement in them, charity and community work and columns on things like installation, succession planning, technology and more.
- What Are You Doing to Get People Back to Work? - Corporate America today is looking for a solution that will create a safe workplace now and into the future, regardless of what virus, bacteria or other airborne pollutants might be out there and no other industry is better positioned to provide that solution than we are.
- Falkbuilt Bolstered by Round of Financing - "This financing is validation of our vision and our revolutionary approach to interior construction," said Mogens Smed, CEO of Falkbuilt.
- Kimball International Acquires Poppin — "It Checks All the Boxes" - Poppin brings Kimball new products and new categories that Kimball can offer through its existing channels.
- Strategic Elements of Post-Pandemic Workplace Design - By recognizing that we must accommodate changes in terms of technology, and even future social distancing–related protocols, we can design a future that's promising and full of collaboration.
- Luxxbox Launches New Line of Patterned Acoustic Material - With remote working shaping up to be the new normal indefinitely for most office workers, Motif was designed for small spaces as well — with its clean, geometric angles and curves and small, repeating patterns.
- Kimball Navigates Market Softness; Business Remains Challenging - Consolidated net sales were $147.9 million, down 27% from $201.5 million in the year ago quarter. Gross margin expanded by 50 basis points to 35.4% driven by cost savings from the 2021 transformation program.
- Solutions Spotlight: Safe-T Workplace Products Announces Exciting New Partnerships with Surgically Clean Air, Air Purification Experts, and Clear2, Facility Entry and Access Control Solutions Provider - The partnerships are intended to support the mission of the Safe-T Workplace Products offering, a new line of solutions that brings people working in commercial and institutional spaces a new level of safety and security.
- Upfront: DIRTT Q3 2020 Sales Decline from Last Year - Revenue for the third quarter of 2020 was $46.2 million compared to $65.4 million reported in the third quarter of 2019.
- Stephen Says - "So You Have an Employee Telling You They Received a Call from a Headhunter? No Need To Give Then a Raise!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Game Freak Offices – Tokyo
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: Artopex, LDI Interiors, FluidStance, Shev Chair, LINAK, Springboard
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 4, 2020
- Kirkbride: 'Let's Design with Plexiglas!' Said No Interior Designer. Ever. - The idea of screens and even panels between workers is something worth discussing. Panels are making a comeback, for good reason. It is unclear whether this is a temporary trend or if the cubicle will make a long-term return to the office.
- Fancher Chair Co. has Served the Furniture Industry Since Thomas Jefferson was President (You Read that Right) - Fancher Chair has succeeded because the company has always been willing to do what the customer wants and needs of them.
- Who is Right in DIRTT Squabble with Falkbuilt? Depends on Who You Ask - Smed denies the allegations lodged against him by DIRTT, which he said is simply hassling him for being a strong competitor. Smed said DIRTT has used $6.5 million "of shareholder money trying to harass us."
- The Changing Dynamics of the Workplace — What's Really Going to Matter in the Future? - In addition to obvious COVID-related safety measures that need to be in place, other aesthetics like acoustics, lighting, colors and biophilia are a priority in office design to institute a feeling of safety and good health.
- Solutions Spotlight: HON Education Solutions Support The Learning Renaissance - Substantial changes in education trends in recent years show every space has the potential to become a learning space. There is no longer the expectation that students sit in symmetrical rows day after day while facing the teacher writing on the chalkboard at the front of the room.
- Upfront: IIDA Announce Colorado Business and Community Leader Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp as Legislator of the Year - Rep. Kraft-Tharp worked with IIDA and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) to advance interior design practice with the passage of Colorado HB1165, which went into effect on September 14. This critical piece of legislation acknowledges the impact of interior designers on life safety in the interior built environment.
- Stephen Says - "Pre-Pandemic Resume and LinkedIn Versus Now: What HR Professionals and Recruiters Really Care About" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Boon Rawd Brewery Headquarters – Bangkok
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: HON, Dauphin, Allseating, Patcraft, Concertex, Arcadia, Luna
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - November, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: LEAPS & BOUNDS CAFE, LODGE KOHLER, GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN, U.S. - Leaps & Bounds Cafe is a typical hotel cafe, busy with guests coming in and out of the space as they grab a bagel or a cup of coffee. It is comfortable and cozy and a very nice place to work when out of the office. The cafe featured strong internet and plenty of plugs for business travelers on the road who need to charge laptops and smartphones.
- THE END OF THE OPEN OFFICE - There are still a lot of unknowns. Some companies haven't gone back to in-person work, and even more have yet to make decisions on new office layouts and modifications, if those are needed.
- KASTLE AND GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY PARTNER TO GET BUSINESS BACK TO THE OFFICE SAFELY - Public health and medical experts recommend building owners, managers, operators and employers work to create a healthy workplace environment before resuming normal business operations.
- MORE THAN HALF OF WORKERS SAY THEIR COMPANY HAS FAILED AT CREATING A DIVERSE WORKPLACE, BUT NEW DATA SHOWS HOW DIVERSITY AFFECTS PEOPLE OF COLOR'S ABILITY TO SUCCEED AT WORK - Nearly two-thirds (61%) of people of color say the level of diversity at their company affects their ability to succeed. Roughly half that number of white people (32%) agreed.
- REMOTE WORK SET TO NEARLY TRIPLE IN THE POST-COVID WORLD, ACCORDING TO SURVEY ON EMPLOYER RESPONSE TO COVID-19 - There has been a clear need for more flexible work scheduling due to disruptions in childcare, schooling and other routines in daily life, and the survey shows most employers have tried to provide this flexibility to help their employees adjust to the new normal.
- POLITICS IN THE WORKPLACE: NEW REPORT FINDS MOST EMPLOYEES TALK POLITICS AT WORK; TWO-THIRDS HAVE CONSIDERED LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB DUE TO THE POLITICAL BELIEFS OF THE PEOPLE THEY WORK WITH - Talking politics also has an impact on organizations, as nearly half of those surveyed report their manager talks openly about supporting a specific candidate in the 2020 presidential election. The effect of this depends on whether their employees share similar beliefs.
- WANT TO MAKE SURE REMOTE WORKERS AREN'T SLACKING OFF? TRY TRUSTING THEM INSTEAD - The importance of trust plays out in research, which has found employees at high-trust organizations tend to be more productive and better collaborators than their peers at low-trust companies. Plus, they tend to stick around longer.
- 10 TIPS TO STOP SCREEN-BASED HEADACHES - You may not be able to avoid screens altogether, but you can take steps to keep them from affecting your health. If you suspect your headaches are related to screen time, talk to your health care provider. Come up with a plan, protect your eyes, and get to the bottom of your headaches.
- A DESIRED DESTINATION: HOW TO LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE POST-COVID-19 TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN TOP TALENT - Brands will need to reevaluate their office portfolio and determine a plan to ensure their employees can take advantage of new technologies that make communicating, collaborating and connecting more seamless than ever before.
- UVC LIGHT – THE LATEST WEAPON AGAINST CORONAVIRUS - UVC fixtures from a reputable manufacturer could be a gamechanger in the battle against the immediate threat of the coronavirus and seasonal and regional outbreaks of infectious diseases. Devices are already cropping up more frequently in airports, classrooms, fitness centers, emergency housing, retail entrances and workplaces.
- UNISPACE CEO: OFFICE NEEDS POST-COVID EXPECTED TO DROP MORE THAN 20% - People want to return to work safely, but they want to return with some degree of flexibility to work from home or places like coffee shops outside the office. While much has been made about some tech companies allowing employees to permanently work from home, other companies feel the need to get back to work in the office.
- REVIEWS - Office Chair Mat for Hardwood Floors / Anker Nebula Capsule
Business of Furniture - October 28, 2020
- Kirkbride: Finding the Right Balance is Key in the World of Publishing - Though we are digital, we do have space limitations and make decisions every week about what news to push ahead and what news to hold — or not run at all.
- NeoCon 2021 Moved to October - Registration for the delayed event will open in a few months, during which time show organizers will continue to meet with its key constituents and monitor the situation with the virus.
- Virtual CET Experience Brings Together More Than 900 Attendees - Held annually in the fall, CET Experience brings together those who use, create and invest in CET Designer, including dealers, developers, manufacturers, Configura employees and Implementation Partners in the commercial interiors, material handling and kitchen and bath industries.
- HNI Adjusts to Hit Solid Quarterly Financial Results - "Our members delivered another solid quarter in an environment that remains uniquely challenging," said Jeff Lorenger, chairman, president and CEO.
- Why COVID-19 Provides a Unique Opportunity to Elevate Women in the Workplace - Some of the leading factors that indicate Women may consider downshifting or leaving their job include lack of flexibility at work, the "always on" mentality and household burdens due to COVID-19.
- Longing for Connection — Vitra Summit Explores Workspace Challenges and Ideas for the Future - One way to ease back into the office would be to implement a hybrid model, where employees split their work hours between a remote location and the company's physical office.
- High Point Fall Market Review: Residential Furniture Continues Blistering Pace - Despite all the changes and oddities of this market cycle, the furniture industry has found a way to return to some semblance of normalcy and indeed prosperity.
- Knoll Plans to Cut 200 Positions; Shutter 5 Showrooms - Knoll did not outline which North American office showrooms would be closed.
- Product Spotlight: Visionect Introduces Hot-Desking Tech to Schedule and Manage Workplace Desk Spaces - The Joan Desk Booking app is a smart, hot-desking solution for the flexible workspace to help book, manage and streamline desk use through a slickly designed mobile phone and desktop app.
- UPFRONT: Steelcase Hit with Cyberattack - At this time, Steelcase is not aware of any data loss from its systems or any other loss of assets as a result of the attack.
- Stephen Says - "My New VP of Sales Wanted To Quit After 3 Months for Another Job! Why?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Selling on Social Media: Using The Power of 10 to Drive Engagement" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Kesko Headquarters – Helsinki
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: DuraCare, Allsteel, Gunlocke, Quinette Gallay, Magnuson Group, Smith & Fong, FluidStance, Acoufelt, Arper, Wolf-Gordon
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 21, 2020
- Kirkbride: It's Not Time to Give Up. It's Time to Get Busy - It is well beyond time for our industry to act and lead. Snap out of the funk. Get out of your office, and help the world get back to work — when the time comes to safely do so.
- Hospitality Feel Plays Key Role in Interior Amenity Spaces at New Chicago Tower - NELSON Worldwide was tasked with infusing five-star hospitality elements throughout the Class A tower's amenity spaces, which feature a conference center for tenant use, a two-story, state-of-the art fitness center, a tenant lounge and multi-tenant floor elevator lobbies and circulation corridors.
- DIRTT Sues North Carolina Dealer that Switched to Falkbuilt - DIRTT contends it transfers confidential information to its dealers, and the contract with CBI and all its dealers outlines that confidentiality shall continue until the confidential information enters the public domain.
- A Year in the Making, Loftwall Launches Parallel - With highly recyclable materials, intuitive (and patent-pending) use of magnetics and its trademark obsession with flexibility, Loftwall is confident Parallel will mark a clear shift in how desks, tables and training rooms are utilized.
- Color Takes on a New Role in the Workplace, With Safety and Comfort at the Forefront - When the world experiences events that cause unrest, anxiety and grief, we tend to naturally gravitate toward compassionate colors.
- Bisley Introduces Belong, Flexible Furniture Collection - The Belong range comprises multiple collections to create a sanctuary wherever you are so you can focus and stay on top of your workload in comfort.
- Product Spotlight: Teknion Launches Kupp Café-Inspired Nesting Chairs - A fresh approach to nesting chair design, Kupp's horizontal nesting capability solves constraints and ensures employee safety, as chairs can be stored with minimal physical effort.
- UPFRONT: Wilsonart Expands TFL Capacity - Wilsonart Engineered Surfaces will increase its thermally fused laminate (TFL) capacity and footprint in North America with a new facility in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Construction has begun, and the plant is scheduled to open by July 2021.
- Stephen Says - "Social Media is No Replacement for Outside Sales" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Symantec Offices – Toronto
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: Landscape Forms, ErgoGenesis, Bentley, 3form, BuzziSpace, Akouo Acoustics, Designtex, Global
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 14, 2020
- Kirkbride: Five Years and Counting with Bellow Press - It is hard to believe, but at Bellow Press we are celebrating our fifth anniversary. I believe anniversaries are a time for thanksgiving and reflection.
- Consulting, Customizing, Caring: Steelcase's studio b Helps Customers go Deeper - It is hard to describe studio b, because it is more than just an arm of Steelcase's product design department.
- AIS To Supply Facemasks for Every Poll Worker in Massachusetts - The effort was first initiated following an appeal to AIS from Leominster City Clerk Katelyn Huffman, who noted that financial hardships the city has experienced as a result of COVID-19.
- Debunking Common Cleanability Myths Surrounding Materiality - It's also important to do it right - First you clean, then you disinfect, then flush with water to remove the disinfectant.
- Groundbreaking Online Exhibit Dives Deep into Diversity - Now a part of the museum's permanent collection, We Design is available solely online and free to the public, especially aspiring designers. Seventeen new designer profiles are scheduled to launch in October.
- A Perfect Storm — Factors Are Piling up on Companies Trying to Balance the Right to Free Speech and Appropriate Workplace Conduct - Employers need to do what they can to understand the needs of their employees.
- Herman Miller Introduces Special Gaming Edition Sayl Chair - The Sayl frameless back uses less material in more inventive ways than classic gaming chairs.
- Product Spotlight: Arc-Com Launches Ensemble Collection - Composed of three patterns — two high performance polyurethanes (Arabesque and Cadence), and one privacy curtain (Harmony), the Ensemble collection offers designers a beautifully coordinated grouping of organic pattern and texture.
- UPFRONT: Narbutas Opens New York Showroom - The recent opening of first NARBUTAS showroom in New York has definitively consolidated the company's presence in the USA.
- Stephen Says - "I Lost My Job as a Designer and Changed Careers to Sales. I Landed a Job Fast...and Love It!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Frustrated? How to Change Your Perspective When You're Ready to Give Up" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Ovation Travel Group Offices – New York City
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: DARRAN, Teknion, Boss, H Contract, Dekko, Peter Pepper
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 7, 2020
- Kirkbride: Hello, I'm Rob and I have a Furniture Flipping Fetish - Furniture flipping is a disease, to be sure, but one that I know others in the industry suffer from. I am not alone in my furniture flipping fetish. I know this because I've gone to dinner with friends in the industry I've caught flipping furniture, which always results in a good laugh.
- From Storage to Sensimilla, Spacesaver's Market is Sky High - Everything is made in the company's Wisconsin plant, which is a hands-on operation because a good portion of what the company does is customized products.
- Between Panic and Pandemic - When workers return to their places of work they will be asking themselves - can we trust the companies we work for and the environments they provide to be safe places?
- DARRAN Introduces Honey for Your Work Hive - Honey allows for open and closed collaborative zones, meeting spaces, lounge or desking in sitting, standing or height-adjustable positions.
- The Three Pillars of Workplace Health and Safety - Our opportunity as an industry — and more importantly, our responsibility — is to re-engineer ourselves, rapidly and comprehensively, to become a critical resource for the organizations we serve.
- CIFF Shanghai Held in China - Undoubtedly an unusual edition, the 46th CIFF Shanghai 2020 maintained safety thanks to the absolute commitment and strict pandemic prevention protocols adopted, the scrupulous services dedicated to visitors, and the digitization of some exhibitions.
- Knoll Takes Actions to Support More Inclusive and Diverse Communities - Knoll's policies and practices will evolve as they continue to focus on creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Product Spotlight: Special-T Launches Safe-T Workplace Products, to Provide New Levels of Safety and Security in a Post-Pandemic Environment - Initial products in the line include specially designed screens, space dividers and workplace barriers that support social distancing efforts in the workplace.
- UPFRONT: ORIOR Introduces First Rug Collection - Comprised of three vivid, geometric styles, the offering combines patterns from Katie McGuigan’s latest womenswear collection inspired by the Irish countryside with the luxurious, handcrafted aesthetic found in Orior’s furniture pieces.
- Stephen Says - "Millennial Mayhem" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Lufthansa Offices – São Paulo
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: Coalesse, Mohawk, Luxxbox, Concertex, Luum, Spacestor, Artopex, Steelcase
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - October, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: EMILY CLINGMAN - LONGMONT, COLORADO - With COVID-related business closures, travel restrictions and social-distancing protocol, it's been hard for us remote workers to pop into our favorite coffee shop for a few hours or enjoy a change of scenery away from our home offices.
- MOST US EMPLOYEES SEE THEMSELVES WORKING WITH TECHNOLOGY RATHER THAN BEING REPLACED BY IT, ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY ON THE FUTURE OF WORK - Four out of five U.S. workers believe technology will change the way they do their job over the next three years.
- KAI EXPERTS SAY COVID-19 PANDEMIC CAUSING MAJOR SHIFT IN TRADITIONAL OFFICE DESIGN AND FUNCTION - Technology will be the enabler to successfully implementing these new design practices and creating a business environment that fosters safe, healthy and intelligent interactions.
- FOUR TIPS FOR PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE TO UNPLUG, TAKE BREAKS, RECHARGE, OR DECOMPRESS AT THE END OF THE WORKDAY - Millions of workers are working from home, and companies as large as Twitter have already announced employees never have to return to the office. It's important to manage your energy and keep yourself from burning out from too much uninterrupted work.
- STUDY SHOWS BASIC MINDFULNESS CAN BE A KEY TO SOLVING WORKPLACE CONFLICT - Everyone wants to work in a place where everybody gets along, but in reality, workplaces are fraught with conflict. However, certain kinds of workplace conflict are positive, because they involve new ways of approaching a project or a problem, which can lead to innovation and better outcomes.
- SMART SEARCH ENABLES WFH EFFICIENCIES - "We expect the best from our teams, So we should offer them the best tools to do their jobs. That starts with strong search so they can get the information they need to do their jobs when they need it."
- KAI ENGINEERS RECOMMEND HVAC UPGRADES TO HELP COMBAT COVID-19 INSIDE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS - Controlling the airflow between zones in a building is a viable way to protect building occupants from airborne pathogens. This can be achieved by re-evaluating the positioning of supply and exhaust air diffusers.
- NELSON WORLDWIDE CONDUCTS STRATEGY SURVEY TO UNDERSTAND EVOLVING WORKFORCE EXPECTATIONS - The first key finding in the survey is employees are longing for purposeful and visible changes to increase safety measures in the office and ensure re-entry in the workplace is safe.
- HAPPINESS NOW MORE THAN EVER: A PRIMER ON HAPPINESS BY DESIGN, AND WHY IT MATTERS - Architecture firms are always seeking new and innovative ways to better the industry and elevate employee well-being within the office. The design industry knows almost too well just how much a space can impact mood, productivity and focus.
- RENEWAL ROOMS FOR NURSES - In order for nurses to provide quality care, they need to be able to provide their own care. But imagine finally getting a lunch break and the only space to sit is where everyone else goes. When you've gone through hours of patient care, you need time away to regroup before returning to the floor. A food-focused break room isn't always the right environment for nurses to refresh their spirits. The antidote is a renewal room.
- WORKPLACE ROMANCE IN THE AGE OF COVID - Now that so many employees are working from home and may be doing so for a while longer or even permanently, it's the ideal time for organizations to revisit the subject to meet the demands of the current landscape. If an office romance has developed, additional complications are that human resource managers aren't seeing employees interacting with each other.
- PRODUCT REVIEWS - We review the Delta Finn Table and Chair Set and the Spacestor KIT Desk.
Business of Furniture - September 30, 2020
- Kirkbride: Business Travel in the COVID World is Definitely Weird - If you haven't been on the road yet for a business trip, let me describe it with one word: Weird. Everything about it is strange. My first stop took me to Chicago, and since all of you have been there for NeoCon, I'll use my time in the city to describe how working on the road has changed.
- Committed to Craftsmanship — Ethnicraft Launches Fall Collection, Aims for Timelessness - Ethnicraft's fall launch features a range of solutions for offices either at work or at home — a collection of desks, meeting tables and drawer units, inspired by the company's popular Bok chair designed by Alain van Havre.
- Why Planning for Generic Collaboration No Longer Works - While collaboration will be a core focal point for workplace design in a COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 world, it cannot be the only reason people come to work.
- It's Time to Start Acting Like Your People Really Are Your Most Important Resource - In the company of the future, employee wellness must become the new focus and the key driver of office design and work styles.
- Steelcase Reports Better than Expected Second Quarter Profitability - Significant cost reductions drove strong EPS of $0.47 despite 18% drop in revenue and $15.6 million of restructuring costs.
- The Workplace Productivity Report 2020: Battling Digital Overload, Over Half of U.S. Remote Workers Report Increased Reliance on Analog Tools - The report contributes to research on the long-term impact of remote work and helps companies understand their workers' evolving needs.
- UPFRONT: Indiana Furniture's Rockstar Task Seating Brings Standout Comfort to a Diverse Range of Users - Rockstar features clean lines, ergonomic contours with lumbar support, well-balanced proportions and options to create all-day, standout comfort.
- Product Spotlight: Modular Lighting Instruments — Launches Pista Extensions in North America - New to the North American market, the Minude spotlight features a small, cylindrical form, with high-quality, low-glare illumination.
- Stephen Says - "Social Media, Politics and Work" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Building a Dynamic Leadership Team" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Asta Parking Offices – Fort Lauderdale
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: Framery, Ligne Roset, Arc-Com, Scandinavian Spaces, Kimball
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 23, 2020
- Kirkbride: Focus on Work from Home Package and International Business to Better Ride Out COVID Crisis - If you are a small or growing office furniture maker, there are some things that can be learned from Herman Miller's relative success in the pandemic. It is not too late for you to get in on the work-from-home trend. In fact, it is critical that you do.
- UX Principles at Work - As we better understand user behavior and experience, the fields of UX and interaction design offer a new foundation for the built environment — both physical and virtual. There are many lists of UX principles which can offer new insights for traditional built environments and help build an emerging design vocabulary — the UX of Work.
- Photography Organization Incorporates Pixel Theme in HQ Renovation - Some of the larger goals for the project included the addition of alternative workspaces and communal gathering areas. Corner office real estate was reallocated to these shared staff spaces to ensure a companywide focus was always at the forefront.
- Herman Miller North American Contract Sales Tumble as International, Retail Soars - Strong retail performance and improving global trends helped offset near-term demand pressures in North America. Also, the quarterly cash dividend program was re-established at $0.1875 per share.
- Back to the Future: Hiring Intentions Begin to Recover for Q4 Yet Employers Plan to Shift to New Work Models for the Long-Term - However, Employers believe labor market recovery will take longer than anticipated.
- EDspaces Goes Digital - Complete with virtual meeting rooms to demo new products.
- NCARB Launches New Campaign to Encourage Student Designers - The resource is designed for anyone considering a career in architecture or guiding students through the college application process.
- UPFRONT: Miller to Retire from BIFMA After Decades of Service to Industry - Miller is looking forward to spending time with his family and will remain active on community boards and advisory groups in his many areas of interests, including consulting for BIFMA.
- Product Spotlight: Tayco Reimagines Casegoods with Halifax Launch - The line, designed in collaboration with Toronto industrial design studio Fig40, achieves industry-leading ergonomics.
- Stephen Says - "Our Customers Are Starting to Come Back into the Showroom; Getting My Salespeople Back in is Another Story" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Crocs Offices – Broomfield, Colorado
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: LG Hausys, Artopex, Hightower, Falcon, Arc-Com, Studio TK
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 16, 2020
- Kirkbride: Actions Speak Louder than Words - Since we are disconnected due to the COVID crisis, it is more important than ever to be clear in our language.
- ootBox Launches a Shareable, Use-It-As-You-Need-It Workspace in a Box - OotBox has been used as development leasing offices, private and reservable spaces for restaurant dining, construction site offices, a neighborhood co-op, mini drive-up medical labs and coffee shops for patrons to take business calls or client meetings.
- Working in a Changed World: Understanding Health and Well-being in the Commercial Furniture Industry - The focus of the INDEAL Cares Employee Survey was to provide an evaluation of the self-reported health and well-being of individuals working in a variety of roles within our industry.
- The Pandemic-Driven Workplace Shifts That Are Here to Stay - We have a unique opportunity to swiftly shift our workplace culture at a time when change is the new norm.
- Haworth and Interphase to Open Design Center in Grand Rapids - The new building will help Interphase collaborate closely with its customers on designing the most creative spaces possible.
- Dauphin Announces Retirement of Gary Chin and Appointment of New President Matthew Negron - Thanks to Chin’s vision and leadership, Dauphin North America continues to grow and is now Dauphin Americas, serving the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.
- Pininfarina Aims to Launch Customizable Kit for Remote Office Portability - Simply named Smart Working Kit, the product consists of modular elements that, combined, form a piece of furniture able to decorate the house but at the same time compact enough to be taken on business trips.
- UPFRONT: INDEAL Leadership Conference To Provide Essential Resources for Dealer Management - Attendees can expect keynotes from nationally recognized speakers, the latest industry insight, virtual networking and strategy sessions.
- Product Spotlight: Trendway Introduces Line of Air Purifiers as Indoor Air Quality becomes Critical Issue for Businesses - AeraMax Pro is being expanded into Fellowes Contract Interiors division, through Trendway, to address the need for improved indoor air quality in the contract market.
- Stephen Says - "I Just Started a New Job: How Do I Get to Meet My Coworkers" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Understanding and Preventing Burnout" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Avito Offices – Saint Petersburg, Russia
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: Howe, Shelby Williams, Versteel
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 9, 2020
- Kirkbride: Time for the Industry to Ease Up on the Virtual Seminar Schedule - After nearly 30 years in the news gathering business, I've learned a bit about content.
- The Difference of a Decade - While dealers and manufacturers have made the most visible adjustments, installation teams have exercised great agility and are now partners at the decision-making roundtable.
- Kimball International Launches New Brand Etc. - Released in fashion-inspired collections, Etc. allows you to crush on evolving trends and update your space as quickly as styles change.
- AIS Continues to Strengthen Its Product Portfolio - Auburn Conference and Executive Chair, LB Lounge Backless Seating and PET Screens are now available.
- Allsteel Launches New Partnership with Corral - One of the things that attracted Allsteel to Corral was the notion two companies can come together and listen to clients together.
- New Series of Special Edition Herman Miller Gaming Chairs Launching - This is the first time Aeron has been sold with an all matte black finish, including the Pellicle material that supports the sitter's body.
- Blaming COVID Slowdown, Steelcase Cutting Salaried Workforce - Order patterns in the Americas continued to reflect significant year-over-year declines, averaging approximately 35% during the second quarter, while order declines in EMEA and Asia Pacific moderated to approximately 20%.
- Work, Reimagined: Research Reveals What Workers Want Post COVID-19 - When economic outlooks are uncertain, employability matters most to workers, with 9 in 10 workers saying simply keeping their job is most important.
- Power for Everything and Everyone: Byrne has the Power to Work from Home - Byrne's Twine and Hydra plug-and-play kits are two of the easiest ways to solve big power needs.
- Product Spotlight - 3form's Newest Design, Veil, Introduces Airy Linen and Color to Cleanable Surfaces - Veil was developed for designers looking to add color and texture to a space simultaneously, while leveraging the advantages of Varia.
- Stephen Says - "Seeing Through Glassdoors" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - College Futures Foundation Offices – Oakland
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: ErgoGenesis / BodyBilt, G&S Acoustics, Nowy Styl, Arcadia
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - September, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: TODD HARDY - COEUR D'ALENE RESORT - I'm fortunate enough to live in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains which are filled with lakes, rivers and streams. I'm less than 15 minutes from the famous Lake Coeur d'Alene and the four-star Coeur d'Alene Resort. Locals believe the only reason it is not a five-star is because some of the rooms overlook the parking garage. The resort has the world's longest floating boardwalk. It's pet friendly, and many people had their dogs with them.
- 60% OF COMPANIES HAVE HIRED EMPLOYEES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DESPITE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN - Nearly half of companies (46%) have hired 10 or more employees since the pandemic's start — a surprising phenomenon in the new era of remote work and virtual onboarding. While group onboarding can feel impersonal, companies can use multiple communication channels to build connections, such as video calls with new hires. As companies continue hiring during the remote work age, they can employ creative tactics to effectively onboard new employees.
- BACK TO SCHOOL BLUES: WORK PRODUCTIVITY EXPECTED TO DECLINE AS MORE SCHOOLS SWITCH TO REMOTE LEARNING - While school this fall will undoubtedly look different in every situation, the largest portion of parents are still uncertain about sending their children to a traditional classroom. Surprisingly, a quarter (26%) report they are not sending their kids back to school at all, while 40% said it will depend on the school district's plans. Working parents aren't the only ones who will be impacted by remote learning this fall. Non-parent co-workers report they are feeling the disruption even now before the return to school.
- FREQUENT TRAVELERS CITE PRIORITIES FOR HOTEL STAYS - Face coverings for employees (87% a lot/some impact) and guests (85%), suspending daily housekeeping of rooms (86%) and using technology to reduce direct contact (85%) are the top priorities among frequent travelers staying in hotels during this pandemic. However, the pandemic has decimated the hotel industry as travel has slowed significantly throughout the last few months.
- NEW STUDY OUTLINES HOW WORK FROM HOME COULD ADAPT TO CONTINUE EFFECTIVELY - Overall, the new way of working had a near equal mix of positive and negative implications for team collaboration, particularly in terms of knowledge sharing, virtual meetings and networking.
- THE HIDDEN IMPACT OF REMOTE WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC: NATIONAL STUDY UNCOVERS GENERATIONAL DIVIDE ON LEADERSHIP, TRUST AND RETURNING TO THE OFFICE - Most shockingly, a majority (53%) of Americans do not want to work remotely even part-time after the pandemic ends. Additionally, 42% of Americans do not have the tools they need to successfully work remotely.
- YES, YOUR COWORKERS ARE JUDGING YOU FOR YOUR BAD IDEAS - When it comes to speaking up in the workplace, new research suggests the quality of employees' suggestions — or "voice quality" — can affect how they are perceived by coworkers, which can then lead employees with poor voice quality to be ostracized by those coworkers.
- INDIESIGNS DEVELOPS LINE OF SAFETY MESSAGING PRODUCTS TO EASE THE STRESS OF GATHERING AGAIN - This idea of beautiful COVID messaging is a natural extension from Grazi's original inspiration for Indiewalls, which he started about eight years ago in response to what he saw in the commercial real estate sector at the time.
- SIX WAYS THE PANDEMIC IS TRANSFORMING RESTROOM DESIGN - Companies, educational institutions and municipalities are all evaluating new procedures and products for their restroom facilities. While there are a number of infection control measures on the horizon, it's still important to keep six feet of distance between people, wash hands with soap and water, dry hands completely, wear masks and limit crowding in restroom areas.
- PRODUCT REVIEWS - Who would believe germ-killing UVC lights and digital forehead thermometers would be office tools? This month, we look at a couple of products that could make heading to the office a little bit safer for employees.
Business of Furniture - September 2, 2020
- Kirkbride: Virginia First to Legislate Safe Return to Office (They won't be the Last) - Virginia's new safety requirements are based on an employee's risk of exposure to the coronavirus while on the job. Employers will have to take different steps depending on the employee's risk. While it is the first state to outline what should and shouldn't be done to reopen offices, it certainly won't be the last. Not much has come out of Washington, D.C., regarding the safe return to the office, and federal law has been silent on safety standards concerning the coronavirus in the employment setting.
- Raiders New Las Vegas Stadium Features Sensory Nooks - For those with special needs, a place like Allegiant Stadium can be overwhelming on game day, causing sensory overload, anxiety, personal crisis situations and ultimately meltdown. The Ford Sensory Nooks are mobile, acoustically quiet huddle pods — similar in shape and size to their office cousins — that provide a haven of tranquility and relaxation for neurodiverse individuals.
- Why Planning for Workforce, Not Workplace, Is the Wave of the Future - "When we look at a space and try to just move around a few desks and put up some plexiglass partitions, we're not going to see real change for our workforce. We have a unique opportunity to fix what was broken before COVID-19." Perhaps the pandemic has given us a unique opportunity to take the time to look at our workplace with a fresh lens, understanding what has worked and what hasn't worked for so long.
- SPOTLIGHT: New Products Available from HAY - From a lounge chair that swivels to a task chair that can double for dining, there's always something from HAY for the home and office.
- Survey Finds Work from Home does not Solve Employee Burnout Problem - 56% went so far as to say their HR departments did not encourage conversations about burnout.
- My Employee Went Directly From a Company Zoom Call to a Zoom Interview Call - Because employees are working from home, it is easier than ever to work and interview at the same time.
- The Biggest Hiring Mistake - I've spent countless hours over the past several months working with and coaching a lot of people who have been displaced due to the economic environment.
- Stephen Says - "My Employee Went Directly From a Company Zoom Call to a Zoom Interview Call" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "The Biggest Hiring Mistake" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Foody Offices – Ho Chi Minh City
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from: Global, Versteel, KFI Studios, AGATI, Kirei, MergeWorks
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 26, 2020 - 77 Pages
- Kirkbride: There's Room for Your Furniture in the $138 Billion Gaming Market - Gaming furniture is a segment of the market that still has plenty of room for growth. If you aren't in it yet, it is worth looking at.
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program that you have seen since early June. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: SnapCab Keeps Focus on Flexibility - That is precisely why SnapCab is a company more and more customers are turning to for spaces providing connection, communication, collaboration and comfort. Its products make spaces more flexible, especially during a time when changes to an office, health care setting or school need to happen quickly and easily.
- Premium Coverings for the Contract Furnishings Industry - CGT is currently working on a new surface innovation targeted towards the furnishing industry, including their CleanTec premium cover stock antimicrobial treated surface technology.
- Designtex Partners with West Elm and Crypton to Launch an Easy to Clean Woven Textile Line - The new styles feature Crypton chemistry, a bonded fabric system that renders the textiles durable and easy to clean and disinfect while maintaining the fabric's feel and beauty.
- Special-T Preps for Post-COVID Workplace and Learning Environments, Launches New Safe-T Screens and Barriers Product Line - The new product line features an array of screens and barriers with a variety of applications that provide increased protection as people return to work.
- Converted Hotel Rooms Are Emerging as New Opportunities for Quiet Workspaces - Hotels are looking to make up for lost revenue by providing spaces that can fit one or multiple employees for a day, all while following CDC guidelines.
- Stephen Says - "Boomerang Employees: The People You Re-Rehire May Be Fooling Yous" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Agoda International Offices – Kuala Lumpur
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest product introductions from 9to5 Seating, Wolf-Gordon, Concertex, Humanscale, Bendheim, Móz.
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 19, 2020
- Kirkbride: Take a Moment to Enjoy Some Good News - Despite the problems happening around the world, there is still much to celebrate. I believe the world is essentially a good place with good people, though the bad stuff often clogs up the news sites.
- Upfront: Announcing 2020 Connect: A Virtual Event - This free, three-day online event will feature more than 60 sessions on a vast array of topics.
- Selling the Value of Professional A&D Services in a Pandemic-Driven Economy - As a result of the current pandemic, public and private spaces — including hospitality, workplace, residential, education and health care — are experiencing extreme scrutiny regarding their health and safety practices.
- Katz Architecture Imagines a New Concept for Live/Work Lifestyle - Katz Architecture in New York explored what a prototype for a new live/work unit could look like, designing a building that includes ground floor storefronts, apartments and separate offices for residents.
- More than Designing a Chair: An Interview with Konstantin Grcic - Affordable, versatile and responsible: with Bell Chair, Konstantin Grcic and Magis have developed a contemporary monobloc chair made entirely from recycled polypropylene.
- Groupe Lacasse Introduces New LUTI Freestanding Screens - LUTI will be part of the quick delivery program.
- Product Spotlight: Okamura Introduces Finora - A statement of style and identity. Introducing Finora: dreamed by Italdesign, a company that excels in mastering the complexity of automotive design, and engineered by Okamura.
- Herman Miller Goes After Websites it Accuses of Selling Fakes - Online retailers are knocking off its products.
- Kirei Announces Partnership With Akuart - Acoustic art pairs with Kirei's EchoPanel.
- 60% of Companies Will Require Masks in the Office - Companies are actively creating guidelines.
- Stephen Says - "If You Keep Hiring the Wrong People, Look for These Red Flags (Even with Candidates that Look Great) During Your Next Hiring Process" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - " P.I.V.O.T: A Different Perspective" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Vanco Offices – Bloomington, Minnesota
- FIRST LOOKS - OLEV, HPFi, OMT-Veyhl, Frovi, Poltrona Frau, LDI Interiors, AMQ, Wolf-Gordon, Patcraft, Fil Doux Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 12, 2020 - 75 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program that you have seen since early June. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: SitOnIt Goes Beyond Seating to Help Customers in COVID-Confused World - SitOnIt Seating has built a strong reputation in task seating, but has added lounge products, screens and tables. The company has found a formula for producing high-quality products at a pace no one can match, and the office furniture industry has taken note.
- Kirkbride: Our Columnists Help All of Us Navigate this Oft-Crazy Industry - We are committed to providing a platform for everyone in the industry, especially those who have been marginalized in the past.
- Black Interior Designers are Not Mythical Creatures Like Unicorns by Nicole Rivers Moore - Organizations such as the Black Artists Guild and the Black Interior Designers Network are proof there are hundreds, if not thousands of Black designers and makers in our industry who are ignored and overlooked.
- Via Seating Hosts ViaCon, Adding to Growing Number of Companies and Organizations Holding Virtual Programs - Held on Zoom, ViaCon felt the most like a tour of Via's showroom and new products that we've seen.
- The Workplace of the Future: A New Address and Approach for Perkins Eastman's Pittsburgh Studio - Perkins Eastman is one of many companies adapting offices to new working environments, and Young believes the Pittsburgh studio can serve as a testing ground to inform future designs.
- Rieke Office Interiors Helps Schools Re-Open With SafeSpace PPE Line - Companies such as Rieke Office Interiors (ROI) in Elgin, Illinois, believe businesses and schools across the country should provide safe and healthy environments to help mitigate the risk of COVID-19.
- Home Office Furniture Rentals Increase 300% for Next-Gen Brand, Fernish - Founded in 2017 by Barlow and Lucas Dickey, Fernish was born out of frustration. The two had collectively moved every other year and were fed up with the hassle that came with buying, moving, selling, storing and generally owning furniture.
- SPOTLIGHT: 9to5 Seating Teams with Momentum Textiles on Performance 3.0 Card - The selection features a range of bleach-cleanable performance textiles in 10 patterns and 70 colors, including EPU polyurethanes, silicones and recycled polyesters with Crypton finishes
- Mohawk Industries and Interface Both Report Q2 Results - Both companies experienced sales decreases due to COVID-19.
- Stephen Says - "Viscusi's Rules to Interview Follow-ups: They Must Be Sent Within 24 Hours" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - New Silk Road Offices – Xi'an, China
- FIRST LOOKS - Camira, Rainlight, Nevins, Unika Vaev, Spacestor, Fritz Hansen
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 5, 2020
- When We Look Back, Will You Be the Blockbuster or the Netflix of the Office Furniture Industry? - We are living through a time that will reward the bold and innovative and severely punish those who remain stagnant.
- Kimball International Announces New Organizational Structure - The new organization will be comprised of four market-centric business units: Workplace, Health, Hospitality and eBusiness.
- Is 6 Feet Really Enough Distance to Keep Offices Safe? Not Even Close, According to Expert - There is no way to pandemic-proof the office, but scientists know office design can help slow the spread.
- Trends Point to More Focus on Natural Light as an Architectural Element - New design trends are using lighting as a tool to create ambiance in built experiential environments and, it is key in supporting new brands and concepts.
- Leveraging Data & Design to Drive Confidence in Returning to the Workplace - Without a doubt, returning to a physical workspace — for those fortunate enough to enjoy the benefit of working from home — will remain a personal decision and one that must be aided by a hybrid team of HR and design members.
- SPOTLIGHT: Arc-Com Releases Paragon - The Arc-Com Design Studio's latest pattern Paragon was inspired by classic architectural form. Its angular geometry is the perfect vehicle for extensive color exploration and play.
- Ford Announces Jim Hackett to Retire as President and CEO - Hackett was CEO of Steelcase from 1994-2014.
- Kimball Reports Fourth Quarter Net Sales Decrease of 20% - Consolidated net sales were $156.1 million.
- Landscape Forms Expands Collaborations with Loll Designs, Introduces Three New Products - Landscape Forms is introducing two new products — the Americana chair and Glide bench — and is expanding the Harvest line to include a standing-height bench in its collaboration with Duluth, Minnesota-based Loll Designs.
- Room & Board Business Interiors Debuts Fall 2020 Collection - "Fall 2020 is a counterpoint to the clean and masculine look and celebrates the feminine, softer side of design, without being fussy," explained Jenon Bailie, Room & Board's merchandising and design director.
- Stephen Says - "Some Manufacturers Make it Easy for 'Do-it-Yourself' Recruiting" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "What Zone Are You In?" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Kiva Offices – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - 9to5 Seating, Hightower, 3form, Quinette Gallay, BuzziSpace, Stylex, Scandinavian Spaces, HBF Textiles, Source International, Narbutas
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - August, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: BELLOW PRESS GRAND RAPIDS EDITORIAL OFFICE - Dartboard. Small golf putting green. Mini basketball hoop. Jukebox. Classic arcade game. While this might sound like the contents of a local Chuck E. Cheese, it is just a few of the "necessary amenities" at the Bellow Press Grand Rapids Editorial Office.
- EXECUTIVES FEEL EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT, BUT COMMITMENT TO STRATEGY IS LACKING - Quantum Workplace has released a survey report, A Winning Approach to Employee Success, produced by Harvard Business Review (HBR) Analytic Services.
- BUSINESS CREATIVITY DURING STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS - Humans are known for their ability to adapt. Will-power and mindset are powerful tools and, if used correctly, can make the most terrible situations tolerable or even enjoyable.
- HOW WE FEEL ABOUT RETURNING TO WORK - Whether you're ready or not, your employer may soon ask you to return to the office as the nation attempts to resume business amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.
- SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY SPUTTERS - Amid growing concerns about a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the small business recovery sputtered in recent weeks, according to a new poll of small business owners.
- AMENITIES ARE STILL A PRIORITY, BUT THE FOCUS HAS SHIFTED - When it comes to workplace amenities, things have certainly come a long way over the years.
- SUSTAINABLE FURNITURE – IT'S STILL IMPORTANT - The conversation about sustainability hasn't been diminished by world events in 2020.
- WHAT WORKERS WANT: THE DOS AND DON'TS OF NON-SALARY NEGOTIATION - Whether it's for a new job or a potential upgrade on your current position, negotiating salary is rarely an enjoyable experience.
- DESKMAKERS RESPONDS TO COVID CRISIS WITH NEW COLLECTION - Designed by the DeskMakers Rapid Response Team, ReFit is comprised of three categories: Above Surface Solutions, Mobile Space Division and Adaptable Division.
- PRODUCT MATTER - There are very few office products that put a smile on our face when we use them.
Business of Furniture - July 29, 2020 - 89 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program that you have seen since early June. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: Bush Business Furniture: The Work from Home Experts™ - Bush Business Furniture can safely claim the title of the work-from-home experts. For nearly 20 years, the company has helped people work from home with products built to contract specifications, scaled properly for the home office and designed with a blend of functionality and style.
- NeoCon PPP: ERGOBOND Focuses on Movement with its Innovative Furniture - ERGOBOND was all set to show off its innovative products designed to help workers move at this year's NeoCon. The annual show was supposed to be a launchpad for the company's new brand, and then the virus hit, and the company's plans were put on hold.
- SPOTLIGHT: Okamura Introduces Drape - Drape is a new, privacy and acoustic solution by Okamura. It creates quiet, private work pods perfect for touchdown work or making phone calls.
- The Best Laptop Stand? An Overbed Hospital Table (and Other Unusual Office Products to Help You Work from Home) - This week, I want to chat a bit about a few products that make it much easier for me to work from my sofa or favorite recliner.
- Against All Odds - As the last line of defense in the furniture chain of custody, installation teams are trying to save the day while protecting their bottom line. How are they handling the pressure to perform despite a worldwide pandemic?
- New High-Performance Office Products Offer Solutions for Safer Workplaces - As a result of COVID-19, consumers and businesses alike are searching for solutions to help protect against the rapid spread of viruses. Below are 13 new, high-performance products that cater to the growing need for hygienic, protective and easy-to-clean solutions, especially in high-traffic areas like restaurants, hotels, offices, health care facilities and public bathrooms.
- HNI Posts Profit Workplace Segment Profit Despite 25% Dip in Sales - The Corporation delivered solid profits and increased second quarter operating cash flows by $20 million or 49% versus the prior year, despite pandemic related top-line pressures.
- Boston Business Journal Names Leominster's AIS Among the Most Charitable Companies in Massachusetts - The Business Journal annually publishes this list to showcase companies that promote and prioritize giving back to their communities.
- What types of jobs will experience a large permanent increase in remote working? - Interestingly, office and administrative jobs were rarely done primarily from home. Even in 2018, work-from-home rates in these occupations were well below those in professional office-related jobs.
- Stephen Says - "Guilty of Being Judgmental of your Co-workers Home on Zoom?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - MHA MacIntyre Hudson Offices – London
- FIRST LOOKS - 9to5 Seating, Hy-Lite, LightArt, Studio TK, BDI, Gunlocke, KFI Studios, Camria, Ultrafabrics, Stylex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 22, 2020 - 95 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program that you have seen since early June. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: OE Electrics is Ready to Jolt Industry with Plug-and-Play Products - OE Electrics wants to make powering your office, airport, health care facility or school easy. If you can plug it into a wall at home, why not have the same simplicity in the office? It is a world OE Electrics is working toward.
- NeoCon PPP: Claridge Products Continues Evolution While Keeping its Roots Firmly Planted - Claridge Products was set to have its best NeoCon ever in 2020. It lined up a lot of cool new products to show, and it was ready to unveil its new state-of-the-art website, full of new features. And then the virus hit.
- SPOTLIGHT: Keilhauer Introduces Hatch an Elegant Soft Textile - The upholstery option features an embossed, cross hatch pattern. It complements the clean lines and forms that are a signature of Keilhauer and modern design.
- Since We're Working from Home, Why Not Work Outdoors? - A lot has been made of the importance of the home office recently and for good reason. Most of us are working from them. But there is nothing in the Home Office Rulebook that says you must work inside.
- Just 4% of Employees Want to Return To The Office Full Time, Down From 33% in April - The results are based on responses from more than 100 global enterprises representing every major industry.
- Residence Hall Design Trends to Change in Response to COVID-19 - Social spaces, such as floor lounges and studies, will be sized and organized to allow for social distancing with distinct stations at appropriate intervals.
- Pandemic and BLM Protests Negatively Impacting Corporate Workplace Culture, According to Newly Released Data - This is one of the number-one indicators of overall workplace health, and to see that drop is a red flag.
- 4 Design Trends of a Post-COVID Workplace - To contextualize some of these uplifting actions, we sat down with leading experts from both the manufacturing and design communities to get a better understanding of what our world will look like as we begin to transition back to the office.
- During the Workweek, 69% of Employees Spend More Than an Hour in Meetings - Structured agendas can help keep people accountable. Before any meeting, employees and managers should figure out the true purpose of the meeting and the results they are targeting.
- Stephen Says - "Drive-Through Interviewing and Other Alternatives Take Root to Foster Meaningful Interviews" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Esprit Offices – Shanghai
- FIRST LOOKS - Artaic, Encore, Unika Vaev, BodyBilt, Raydoor, Fritz Hansen, Maharam, Artopex, Morbern, DARRAN, Landscape Forms
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 15, 2020 - 65 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program that you have seen since early June. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: Listening Leads to Success at Via Seating - Via Seating believes its key to success and creating long-term partnerships with its customers comes from being a solutions-driven company. Its seating products are not a commodity, and the company refuses to be pulled into the race for the bottom in the category.
- SPOTLIGHT: Allseating Launches the L1 Task Chair - L1 lives up to its namesake by providing the end user with back support and comfort for the entire day.
- Want to End the Race to the Bottom? Focus on Branding - The race to the bottom, if it actually IS going on, is a direct result of a general lack of branding and brand recognition in our industry.
- Returning to Work Comes with Challenges, But Also Opportunities - Employees might be facing issues with childcare availability, reduced public transportation services, the need to care for others, or increased risk due to health conditions, for instance.
- Networking the New Way: How Professional Relationships have Changed and How to Make them Work for You - When you research statistics about job searching, you find a whopping 85% of jobs are filled through networking.
- The Workplace Redefined; Preparing For The New Normal - The way you work is changing every day, and you're most likely still figuring out your perfect set up.
- Steelcase Recognized as One of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the United States - Steelcase's social innovation efforts prioritize furthering inclusive and equitable quality education, reducing inequalities and creating sustainable communities and cities.
- Stephen Says - "I'm Over Used and Under Appreciated" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Networking the New Way: How Professional Relationships have Changed and How to Make them Work for You" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Sony DADC Offices – Mumbai
- FIRST LOOKS - BuzziSpace, Spacestor, Source International, Maharam, Pair, Unika Vaev, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Narbutas, Smith & Fong
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 8, 2020 - 67 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program that you have seen since early June. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: SurfaceWorks Launches Dax and Grows in Education - Dax, is one of those products that exemplifies SurfaceWorks — it is well-designed, well-built and does exactly what it promises. In the case of Dax, that means it is an exceptionally good training table.
- The Death of the Office is Greatly Exaggerated - Instead of thinking of work from home as a negative, it is time for the industry to think of it as net positive.
- ORGATEC 2020 Cancelled - In recent weeks, a large majority of exhibitors and trade visitors decided not to attend ORGATEC. In light of this, Koelnmesse reassessed the overall situation.
- Diversity & Inclusion in the Interiors Industry: The Most Important Issue We'll Ever Tackle - We sat down with Malene Barnett, and discussed some of the most pressing issues our industry faces in order to hear the perspective of those who have been silenced for far too long.
- From Ocean to Office: A New Path for Plastic - Research shows about eight to 10 million tons of plastic enter the planet's oceans every year. That equates to about a garbage truck of plastic being dumped in the ocean every minute.
- Product Spotlight - Dauphin Introduces Bosse Series 2 Acoustic Pods and Bosse Series 4 Room-in-Room Systems
- Neurodiversity and Workplace Inclusivity - Neurodivergent conditions include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Tourette's, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and Parkinson's.
- Female Leaders Show the Power of Kindness Through Donation - Two women — Melissa Kehl of Rieke Office Interiors of Elgin and Neli Vazquez Rowland of A Safe Haven — came together to show how the power of kindness can even defeat, in a small way, the brunt of a virus.
- Just 30% of Workers Are More Productive Working From Home Than in an Office, Even as Remote Work Continues During the Coronavirus Pandemic - Working from home has become the new norm for employees around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses have been remote for several months already, and some, such as Twitter, have decided to let employees work remotely permanently, even after the pandemic passes.
- Stephen Says - "How to Lose a Job in Ten Days" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Innovation is HERE: How to Embrace Innovation in Your Business" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Riccó Offices – São Paulo
- FIRST LOOKS - Arc-Com, Maharam, 9to5 Seating, Indiana Furniture, Teknion, Coalesse
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - July, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: LUCY'S CAFÉ, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - For the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19, I've ventured outside to work from someplace other than home or a small office.
- 74% OF WORKERS SAY A 6-HOUR WORKDAY WILL IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AMID COVID-19, ACCORDING TO STUDY - 74% of workers believe six-hour workdays could lead to higher productivity at work.
- AS DESIGN MOVES FORWARD, DESIGNING FOR MULTIPLE GENERATIONS GARNERS MORE ATTENTION - Though COVID-related design is on everyone's mind, designers still need to consider all the other elements needed to create healthy and productive workplaces.
- DESTINATION UNKNOWN: WHERE BUSINESS TRAVEL MIGHT LAND NOW THAT COVID-19 HAS ARRIVED - Business travelers, if and when they decide to travel, will make conscious choices about who to fly with, where to stay, what mode of transportation they use to get around. With demand (and necessity) of airports evolving in the age of COVID-19 and its aftermath, no one knows exactly what the travel experience will look like going forward.
- LEVERAGING HOSPITALITY CUES IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORKPLACE - COVID-19 is challenging all industries and the designers that serve them to revolutionize and rethink established experiences.
- KI GOES BEYOND WITH OWENS CORNING IN FUTURE-PROOFING WORKSPACES WITH 'INFINITY FROM KI' - Some companies come in and want to talk to you and tell you their thought starters before they even understand what you want.
- VIRTUAL REALITY MEETINGS: THE NEW NORMAL - While working from home certainly has merits, the long view is that organizations prosper from the hard-won social capital of connections among people.
- SURVEY REVEALS MORE THAN HALF OF EMPLOYEES WANT TO WORK IN AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT AGAIN, AND 73% ARE COMFORTABLE WITH TEMPERATURE CHECKS - Many employees are feeling confident and ready to get back to work, but some still have their hesitations.
- PRODUCT MATTER - The latest products to help you be productive wherever you're working from.
- CORONAVIRUS AND WORKING FROM HOME: ALMOST 60% OF AMERICANS THINK COVID-19 HAS CHANGED THE WAY WE WORK FOR THE BETTER - WalletHub's survey examined Americans' thoughts about working from home during the coronavirus pandemic and a potential return to an office.
- REAL-TIME CORPORATE SOLUTIONS FOR A COVID-19 WORLD - One North American technology startup has created a solution that is both fully functional and cost effective.
Business of Furniture - July 1, 2020 - 79 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program that you have seen these past few weeks. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: Maars Living Walls Evolve to Meet Needs of Changing Market - Since entering the North American market, Maars has made a name for itself by creating demountable walls of the highest quality and design.
- NeoCon PPP: Keilhauer Swurve is a New Chair that Puts the Environment First - The company and its president have taken the environment seriously for a long time, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Keilhauer recently launched Swurve, its first carbon neutral chair.
- Deirdre Jimenez Wants to Elevate Design in Her New Role at BIFMA - Jimenez was attracted to the job by the work that is being done solely for the benefit of the industry and its members — not just trade members, but suppliers and specifiers as well.
- Celebrating Freedom is Impossible When Others are Oppressed: An Industry Call to Action - Events of recent weeks deserve to be looked at through the lens of our industry.
- Women-led Design is More Crucial Than Ever - As the panel discussion kicked off, Gabrielle Bullock, director of Global Diversity at Perkins & Will, believes this particular time presents an opportunity for everyone to help in dismantling systemic racism.
- KI Goes Beyond With Owens Corning in Future-Proofing Workspaces With Infinity From KI - KI and Owens Corning designed the marquee conference room in the Hub with 33 feet of glass storefront featuring KI's Lightline architectural wall, providing beautiful views of the river.
- Herman Miller Reports Fourth Quarter Sales Fell 21.1%. Posts Loss. - Herman Miller reported a net loss per share of $2.95 in the fourth quarter compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.78 in the same quarter last fiscal year.
- Inscape Announces Fourth Quarter Sales Fall 22.5% - The decline in the quarter was primarily due to COVID-19 which resulted in both shipment delays and customer order pushouts in some of their major markets.
- Stephen Says - "Don't Overlook This Way to Find a New Job" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Alternative Technology Client Offices – Austin
- FIRST LOOKS - HBF, Nevers, Keilhauer, Concertex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 24, 2020 - 91 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program that you have seen these past few weeks. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: Returning to Work and School—KI Leads With Empathy, Insight and Innovation - KI is in the process of bringing about half of its organization of 500 or so workers back, while helping other companies come alive as well.
- NeoCon PPP: It's Time to Take a Fresh Look at Indiana Furniture - Indiana Furniture is inviting the industry to take a new look and experience the changes it has worked on for the last few years.
- Time for Us to Exemplify the Spirit of Gambaru - The shock of COVID is over. Now the hard part begins. It is time to rebuild and renew the market. While that may be a bit out of our hands, there are some things we can do to turn the corner.
- IIDA to Furlough Staff - IIDA will return to normal business operations July 20 at full strength and with a robust slate of programming.
- Fellowes Brands Announces New Contract Interiors Division - Fellowes Brands strategic expansion into contract furniture began with the acquisition of ESI and Trendway.
- BIFMA Names New Leader at Virtual Annual Meeting - In her new role, Jimenez will be responsible for leading BIFMA and partnering with its board of directors, membership (regular, supplier, service and international) and staff by connecting and advancing the industry's common interests.
- Creativity Goes Digital: Harnessing the Power of Virtual Design - How do we design for a digital workplace that fulfills our need for human interaction?
- Maars Understands Now is the Time for Space Division, More Than Ever - No one wants to waste money on an unsightly plexiglass pane that a customer will throw up and then throw away in a couple of months.
- Place Matters — Designers Weigh in on Physical Barriers in Design and Starting with Empathy - When families suddenly found themselves needing to keep busy while quarantined at home, many turned to digital access to museums and cultural institutions online.
- Stephen Says - "How Do Dealers Manage the Expense of Social Distancing?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "2020 Cancelled? One of the Toughest Years could be Your Best Year" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - NAACP Legal Defense Fund Offices – Washington DC
- FIRST LOOKS - Woven Image, Source International, Woodstock Marketing, Kimball
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 17, 2020 - 69 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program that you have seen these past few weeks. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: Never Stop Moving, Pushing or Striving | OM Digs Deep for Meaningful Change - Since its beginnings in 1986, Southern California-based OM has believed continual evolution creates a living company.
- NeoCon PPP: 2020 | Industry Mainstay Keeps Ahead of Technology (and Always has for its Customers) - The company has focused most of its innovation around building experiences that it believes will speak to the future designer as well as connecting the end user.
- I don't Know About You, but I'll Never Take the Fun and Friendship of NeoCon for Granted Again - By Wednesday during NeoCon week, I'm sick of restaurant food, sick of talking to people and sick of Chicago.
- Steelcase CEO Jim Keane Speaks to Grand Rapids Economic Club about COVID and the Company - Disaster preparation is important for any business, but leaders also have to adjust course as needed since there is no way to account for everything that might go wrong.
- When Nothing is Guaranteed: Practical Ways to Reset your Career Trajectory - With industry insiders optimistic about a rebound and a revamping of the office, there is still real fear about the now weekly announcements of furloughs, layoffs and "creative re-structuring" that's going on in the world of contract furniture.
- Industry News - Designing a Better Chicago Announces Grant Program Recipients / Humanscale Launches Online Platform / Nook Announces the Winning Super Nook Design
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- Stephen Says - "In These Unusual Times I am So Glad We Go To Market with Independent Reps!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Innovid Offices – Ramat Gan
- FIRST LOOKS - Ghent, OMT-Veyhl, Keilhauer
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 10, 2020 - 77 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program you are beginning to see today. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: LOGICDATA - When considering innovative shifts in the office furniture industry, one immediately thinks of high-tech devices like connectivity of smart phones and tablets or powerful laptops. Yet there is a mechanical revolution happening in height adjustability that is being led by LOGICDATA.
- NeoCon PPP: Spec Furniture Design Makes Us Wonder, 'Why Didn't I Think of That?' - The Toronto-based company always seems to come up with a new wrinkle for furniture that leaves its customers pleased and competitors wondering why they didn't come up with something like that.
- The Making of an Industry-Wide Charity - From tragedy, INDEAL Cares was born and it is poised to make a huge difference not only in North America, but globally. INDEAL Cares was designed to be more than a "house" charity for INDEAL, its dealer partners and manufacturers.
- "Wisdumb" Mentality Is Blocking Innovation in Building - Last week NeoCon launched NeoConnect, a series of online resources programming designed to virtually connect the NeoCon community in the month of June.
- Uniting the Commercial Furniture Industry in Health: Introducing INDEAL Cares - INDEAL Cares was launched in honor of my daughter, Dr. Shannon Bloch.
- Blurring the Line Between the Home and Corporate Offices - Many people consider a separate home office to be a real luxury. In lieu of a true dedicated space, individuals choose to convert an extra bedroom or perhaps an unused corner in the living room into a semi functional home office.
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- Stephen Says - "My Boss is a Micromanager! What Should I Do?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Product Madness Offices – London
- FIRST LOOKS - Scandinavian Spaces, Source International, Okamura, Integra Seating, Tayco, ESI, Sedia Systems, Encore, Unika Vaev
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 3, 2020 - 77 Pages
- NeoCon: Products, People and Projects - We launched Products, People and Projects this year to help fill the gaps. We don't want all the information we would have learned about at NeoCon to be lost. So we worked with theMART to come up with a program you are beginning to see today. For the rest of the summer, we will be presenting Products, People and Projects, a few companies at a time so as not to overwhelm the reader.
- NeoCon PPP: Groupe Lacasse Shifts to Address Changing Office - The Quebec-based manufacturer has done a masterful job of shifting gears to address the crisis, first by coming out with a package of furniture for the home office and by creating products that make office work safer as well.
- NeoCon PPP: Nook Takes Pod Life to a New Level with a Focus on Agility and Wellbeing - Nook, by Do Company, a Bristol, England-based design startup, creates semi-private spaces critical for productivity, focus, confidentiality or simple respite from the noise and traffic on the floor.
- From The Editor - Instead of Wringing Our Hands About What We can't Control, We Need to Start Worrying About What We Can
- Gensler says Reports of the Death of the Workplace Have Been Greatly Exaggerated - In part of its ongoing exploration on how design is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gensler finds the future workplace may be entering its Golden Age, not of sudden death.
- Knoll Design Days are Around the Corner - Hosted this year as a free virtual event for industry insiders and design enthusiasts alike, Knoll Design Days will take place June 9-10, 2020, bringing the Company's unparalleled expertise on design and the workplace to audiences in a digital-first format.
- Designer Outlines How Hospitality, Social Spaces will Change post-COVID During Haworth Webinar - Rottet said social spaces may just be the design that is needed to keep workers at a safe distance from each other while fostering a comforting, residential feel many will crave in the crazy new world of work.
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- Stephen Says - "What to Put on LinkedIn When You Are Unemployed" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "HOPE: Another Meaning to One of the Most Overused Words in the World" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - One Workplace Offices – Santa Clara
- FIRST LOOKS - Frövi, BuzziSpace, Haworth, Davis, Arper
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - June, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING... MY HOME, POST FALLS, IDAHO - I have been working from home for a couple of years, so the COVID-19 pandemic has not changed much for me.
- DIGITAL TOOLS ARRIVE TO GET FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES BACK TO WORK SAFELY - Safety By Prospr allows employers to prep their employees for their post-COVID employer safety guidelines within the Prospr phone app before returning to work and at any time on demand ongoing.
- SURVEY REVEALS EMPLOYEE ATTITUDES ON REMOTE WORK AND THE FUTURE OF OFFICE SPACE - Many in America's workforce are wary about returning to a traditional workplace setting and hope recent changes, like working remotely, will become part of the new normal.
- THE CONTACTLESS OFFICE - COVID-19 will forever alter the way we think about disease transmission in the workplace.
- HOW WE USE THE OFFICE MAY CHANGE, THE WORKPLACE IS HERE TO STAY - The A+D community is looking for an immediate and logical response to help clients solve for the near term return to the office.
- THE WORKPLACE AS A SOCIAL ORGANISM - While working from home certainly has merits, the long view is that organizations prosper from the hard-won social capital of connections among people.
- FURNITURE INDUSTRY INSIGHTS FOR THE WORLD OF WORK POST COVID-19 - LOGICDATA leadership recently weighed in on how the global furniture industry will likely adapt to the seismic shift in working.
- EMBRACING A NEW REALITY. WORKPLACE STRATEGY INSIGHTS FOR COVID AND BEYOND - If you are like most Herman Miller customers, you're likely beginning to formulate plans for re-opening your physical workplaces.
- ADJUSTING OFFICE SPACES FOR A POST-PANDEMIC WORKPLACE - There is a greater need for wellness initiatives today, especially in light of new challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
- CHICAGO'S FULTON EAST IS NATION'S FIRST OFFICE BUILDING DESIGNED TO DELIVER HEALTH-FOCUSED OPERATING SOLUTIONS FOR POST-COVID-19 BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT - Fulton East will be the first multi-story office building to employ airPHX ("air fix") non-thermal, plasma technology throughout the entire building to help reduce cross-contamination risks and provide employees with cleaner air and work surfaces.
- IIDA'S COLLECTIVE D(ESIGN) SERIES FOCUSES ON ADAPTABILITY AND CHANGE IN THE WORKPLACE - As the design world navigates the new normal landscape of COVID-19, it has become more important than ever for communication and ideas surrounding best practices in keeping clients, employees and the vulnerable safe from an invisible predator.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Products to keep you safe at work.
Business of Furniture - May 27, 2020
- Here's What it's Like in our Neck of the Woods - Whenever I speak to folks in the industry from around the country and across the globe, we always seem to have the same question for each other: How is it where you are?
- Why Soft Leadership Skills Will Rise to the Top During Times of Crisis - ThinkLab research indicated 60% of West Coast survey respondents' (comprised of both A&D and manufacturers/dealers) bid activity has slowed or stopped.
- Workplace Reimagined: COVID-19 to Reshape the Modern Office Experience - The wholesale move to remote working in response to the crisis has quickly changed habits, exposed weaknesses and opened new opportunities for the work environment.
- A Sign of Hope: Orgatec is On for October - To be sure, the 2020 version of Orgatec will be more lightly attended and with fewer exhibitors, according to organizers who held a virtual town hall meeting last week.
- Knoll, Herman Miller Cut Jobs to Cope with COVID Crisis - As part of a restructuring, Knoll expects to reduce its workforce by approximately 275 positions. Meanwhile, Herman Miller eliminated approximately 300 full-time positions throughout the company as of May 14.
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- 3form Creates Line of Desk Partitions - The translucent desk partition uses Varia, a durable, architectural-grade resin.
- Stephen Says - "Any Suggestions for My Designer Clients and Friends that have Recently Lost Their Jobs?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Stop Playing Small: Do You Have What it Takes to Make it Happen?" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Obscura Digital Offices – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - HAT Contract and SiS Ergo, Boss, KFI Studios, Hightower
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 20, 2020
- COVID Crisis Causes Shift in Way We Talk about the Office - Offices across the country are preparing to reopen. How that will look remains to be seen, but offices will be less dense and workers more separate.
- Killing "The Way We've Always Done It" - With less face-to-face meetings, accessibility and ease of scheduling will become an X-factor.
- All Hands on Deck, USGBC Says Green Building Ratings Still Relevant - Under the new strategy, the USGBC will update current LEED strategies in LEED v4.1 that support indoor environmental quality, cleaning, occupant comfort, operations, better materials and risk management.
- AIS Launches Sew the Masks Campaign to Support First Responders and Others at High Risk from COVID-19 - AIS masks are already helping protect health care workers at UMass Medical Center and Brigham and Women's Hospital, as well as first responders around Massachusetts and others.
- Nearly Half of Employees Now Working from Home Want to Stay Remote, Study Finds - Clearly, employee work preferences still differ and working from home is not for everyone — either because employees simply cannot do their jobs remotely or would prefer not to.
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- Knoll Announces June 2020 Free Virtual Knoll Design Days Lineup - "We're here to help organizations adjust to a new normal and give people confidence in their work environments."
- Humanscale Chief Sustainability Officer Jane Abernethy Recognized as Living Hero - The Living Future Institute developed the Hero award to acknowledge exceptional work of individuals who are going above and beyond in their approach to creating a Living Future.
- Stephen Says - "Help! My WFH Salespeople are Becoming Unfocused" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - The Max Barney Estate Offices – London
- FIRST LOOKS - 9to5 Seating, H Contract, R-Go, Bisley
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 13, 2020
- Office Design Post-COVID: Have We Gone Through a Weird Time Warp Back to the '80s? - Trying to conform to guidelines about office safety is like trying to hit a moving target.
- Be Certain, Things Will Change, but One Group Will be Loyal Through and Through - "From a transportation standpoint, you have to ensure driver safety coming in and out of facilities, that you're not spreading any diseases."
- Three Predictions on How Remote Work Will Shift the Product Specification Process - ThinkLab research suggests that specification takes between 20–39% of a designer's time.
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- Architects Work with Manufacturers to Help People WFH Effectively - A huge amount of speculation in workplace architecture and design about the future of the office, return to work protocols and the new norm is occurring.
- Kimball Posts Strong Quarter, Despite Impact of Virus - "It is difficult to predict the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our customers, our suppliers and our business."
- DIRTT Releases Q1 2020 Financial Results - Revenues for the first quarter of 2020 were $41 million compared to $65.1 million reported in the first quarter of 2019.
- Could Copper Help Reopen Offices? - Many scientific studies are demonstrating copper kills bacteria, and De Castelli has set up an experiment to develop working methods that ensure this property is preserved.
- Stephen Says - "Don't Worry. College Grads Still Have Great Prospects." - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "We're All In This Together" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Milkman Offices – Verona
- FIRST LOOKS - Luxxbox, Falcon, Nowy Styl Group, JSI
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 6, 2020
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- Allseating Stays the Course With Updated LEVO and a New Collection of Chairs for Remote Workers - Levo builds on the methodology of the award-winning, proprietary design of the You family, providing a more affordable ergonomic option that adapts to users movements.
- Question: How to Safely Return to Work? - Whether you are a manufacturer, dealer or designer, you are fielding calls from customers about how they can safely return to work.
- Designing for Overcapacity Presents Opportunities to Prepare for the Future - With a lack of beds at the forefront of the pandemic's impact on health care, CRTKL is exploring ideas like repositioning hotels from luxury to healing spaces designed to accommodate more infected patients at once.
- Economist Predicts 'Short, Sharp' Recession During BIFMA Virtual Presentation - Just what the long term effects on the office are remains to be seen.
- Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on the Design Industry - Best case scenario for recovery is a "V" recovery (think sharp decline, quick bounce back), however, it's important for the design industry to remember our category lags, and especially in this case with phased "back-to-work" scenarios.
- Twilight Zone or the Jetsons: What Will Going Back to Work Really Look Like? - Never before have you been able to buy so many room dividers, desk partitions and iterations of acrylic space division. It seems that overnight, the industry has made two fairly seismic declarations.
- Herman Miller Sues Website but can't Find 'DOE 1' Behind It - Herman Miller and DWR contend that Interior Icons is engaged in a dramatic and brazen scheme to undermine Herman Miller's intellectual property rights and trade on the goodwill of Herman Miller.
- Best of British: Bisley and Deadgood Announce Exclusive Partnership in North America - In a move that celebrates the "Best of British," both Bisley and Deadgood fly the flag for the "designed in Britain, made in Britain" model.
- Stephen Says - "Is This a Bad Time To Change Jobs? Am I Crazy?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Krispy Kreme Offices – Charlotte
- FIRST LOOKS - HBF, Designtex, Focal Point
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - May, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: MY HOUSE, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - We are living in extraordinary times, I will tell you about where I'm working as I shelter-in-place at home. It is a nontraditional setup, even by home office standards.
- SURVEY FINDS WEAK HOME INTERNET PREVENTING PEOPLE FROM WORKING - Millions of us are now reliant on our home internet plans to work and study — plans which may not be able to support our changing needs.
- WORKING REMOTELY IS HERE TO STAY - With employees working virtually from remote locations around the country or around the world, getting team members on the same page is not nearly as easy as it used to be.
- WORK AFTER COVID-19: KEEPING YOUR CULTURE SAFE - At the onset of COVID-19 — and as the required work-from-home and social distancing guidelines went into effect — dialogue as to how companies were planning their successful return to the office escalated.
- DEEP CLEANING IS THE NEW CLEANING - There is a difference between the word "sanitize" and "disinfect." It's a common mistake to use these terms interchangeably, but there's a critical difference.
- HYGIENE BECOMING MORE IMPORTANT IN THE WORKPLACE, SURVEY SHOWS - If there is some good news in the age of coronavirus, research from the Healthy hand-washing Survey shows during the past 11 years an increasing number of Americans are heeding the message about washing their hands to protect themselves from flu outbreaks.
- WILL SOCIAL DISTANCING MAKE WAY FOR WORKPLACE DISTANCING? - With an eye on the health, safety and welfare of their teams, and the need for distancing in mind, many businesses are likely to rethink their real estate and workplace strategies.
- FOCUSING ON NEEDS FOR THE NEW OFFICE 'NORMAL' - Open floor plans have been the preferred layout for office spaces in recent years, but the global health crisis has caused companies to reconsider the way workstations and collaboration areas are organized.
- OFFICE LIFE AFTER CORONAVIRUS WILL BE DRIVEN BY PROPINQUITY, OUR NATURAL HUMAN TENDENCY TO DEVELOP TIGHT INTERPERSONAL BONDS - The world of work we will return to after the Novel Coronavirus will be distinctly different from the one we recently left behind.
- SEVEN UNEXPECTED WAYS TO MAKE YOUR ONLINE MEETING MORE ENGAGING - It's not easy to keep participants engaged in meetings, even when you're sitting across the table from them.
- PRODUCT MATTER - This month we look at two products that help make working at home better and more productive.
Business of Furniture - April 29, 2020
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- What I'm Hearing from the Industry - Employment is a cause for concern as the industry continues to implement layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts at a growing rate.
- What's the Future of Height Adjustable Tables? SiS Ergo, the Company Credited with the First-Ever Product, Has Some Answers - For the company that pioneered the first height-adjustable table 50 years ago, the future looks just as promising today as it did then.
- Bringing Elements of Home into the Workplace - Like it or not, says the folks at Coalesse, this is the time of the mandatory, if temporary, home office.
- As the Design Industry Faces the Pandemic, Learnings from Previous Recessions Still Apply - In terms of the physical work we do both now and in the future, adaptation and flexibility will be key.
- HNI Posts Loss in Latest Quarter as Virus Cuts into Finances - HNI Corp. announced sales for the first quarter ending March 28 of $468.7 million and a net loss of $23.9 million.
- Stephen Says - "The Boss is Paying, So I'm Praying: Working for a Privately Owned Company" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "High Performance Hacks" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - PhotoShelter Offices – New York City
- FIRST LOOKS - Zonez, MASHstudios
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 22, 2020
- Have Faith, the Industry will Emerge Stronger Than Ever - We can't control a virus, and it is frustrating. I always feel better when I'm active; doing something to improve myself. There are things I can control.
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- FUNC Hits the Market with Fresh Products Because "Blah Is So Tiresome" - FUNC makes privacy screens, desking screens, space dividers, mobile marker surfaces, integrated lighting and other ancillary products — taking a simplistic, "almost Japanese approach."
- Byrne Creates 'Powerful Connections' to Help People Hospitalized, Loved Ones Stay Connected - The virtual visits, made possible through donated iPads and technical assistance from Byrne, have lifted the spirits of family members separated by illness during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Industry Shifts to Support COVID-19 Efforts - The automotive and apparel industries aren't alone in these efforts. The contract furniture industry has rallied together to come up with innovative ways to contribute, keep their people at work and push us to be hopeful for a world beyond the virus.
- Innovative Office Products is 3D Printing PPEs - Through the use of one of its two 3D printers, the company is producing the headband component for face shields.
- Stephen Says - "Do Emoji's Have a Place in a Business Email?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "The Power of Conversations" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Zogenix Offices – Emeryville
- FIRST LOOKS - Welltek, 9to5, EKO, VIA Seating, Arcadia
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 15, 2020
- How VariDesk Became Vari: An Interview with CEO Jason McCann - Varidesk started working with experts that worked with other companies on transitioning their branding, including one which helped Federal Express go to FedEx.
- Loftwall Is Thriving on Incredible Ideas and American Grit - Loftwall provides privacy — specializing in space division with products like room dividers, counter shields and sound control panels.
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- Whatever it Takes - As an industry, when facing the prospect of annihilation, the only adequate response is to do whatever it takes to prevent it.
- The Interiors Industry Leans on One Another to Connect Amidst C-19 Chaos - People in the interiors industry today seem to fall into two categories: Those who remember the downturn of 2008 and those who don't.
- Arper's Farewell to its Founder Luigi Feltrin - Feltrin founded Arper in Monastier di Treviso in 1989, together with his sons Claudio, Arper president, and Mauro.
- Stephen Says - "The 35th Annual Interior Design Hall of Fame Gala was Held in December 2019 at the River Pavilion, Javits Center NYC, and Now it is a COVID-19 Hospital. That is Surreal!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "April 2020: How Will This Month Define You?" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - SAP Offices – Istanbul
- FIRST LOOKS - Studio TK, OM, Concertex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 8, 2020
- Industry Bulletin Board - Information during the Coronavirus outbreak is at a premium. Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- You Take Care of Sales, Design, Avanto Streamlines the Process - Avanto helps streamline your back office processes through accounting, order management and merchant processing.
- Two Ways to Keep You Connected - Bellow Press is not immune to the business upheaval. So, we have spent weeks trying to figure out a plan for how to help our readers and advertisers stay connected through this unprecedented time.
- Orgatec is On for October ... at Least for Now - Koelnmesse, which stages the fair, said it is keeping a close eye on developments as it presses ahead with preparations for ORGATEC 2020 in seven months.
- Utility Company Connects its Brand to New HQ Architecture - Corix chose a 22,000-square-foot space on the 36th floor in a downtown Chicago high-rise as its new headquarters and brought on Nelson Worldwide to complete the build out.
- Dauphin Takes up 100 Million Mask Challenge - Inspired by the 100 Million Mask Challenge, office furniture manufacturer Dauphin quickly pivoted to the production of face masks for health care facilities close to its Northern New Jersey factory.
- Stephen Says - "If You Own a Business: Apply for the Paycheck Protection Program. Here is how!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "5X Connection: Developing and Increasing Meaningful Connections in a Time of Crisis" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Publicis Sapient Offices – London
- FIRST LOOKS - 9to5 Seating, Encore, Arc-Com
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - April, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: MY COOL LOFT APARTMENT NEAR BOULDER, COLORADO - For the past five years working with Bellow Press, I have written hundreds of stories about workspace design. I realized that my home offices over the years, while functional, were poorly designed and lacked the essential fundamentals a workspace needs.
- REMOTE WORKING: REPORT SHOWS WORK IS CHANGING BEFORE OUR EYES (AND LIKELY WON'T CHANGE BACK) - In a tracking survey of global corporate real estate professionals at large corporations conducted by CoreNet Global, the amount of respondents who say they now support a corporate mandate for remote work has nearly doubled in two weeks to 97 percent from 56 percent two weeks ago.
- FOR MANY, THE HOME IS NOW THE OFFICE - For the first time, many are leaving offices to work from home, and it can be a jarring experience trying to balance work with home.
- WORKING FROM HOME - "Working from Home" has never been more prominent in our vocabulary. Whether you are directed, volunteered or simply chose a full- or part-time at home work environment, not everyone is fully prepared for working outside the more traditional work spaces.
- WHEN WORKING FROM HOME, PHYSICAL TRANSITION IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG - We began 2020 with the same unbridled optimism with which most new years start. Then our world was unexpectedly turned upside down by coronavirus. In a matter of weeks, we went from a thriving economy, and record low unemployment and vacancy rates in the U.S., to a world nearly shut down by a global pandemic.
- IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, EASE YOUR EMOTIONS AT WORK AND AT HOME - Living in Spain and being hundreds of miles away from my family has made it harder, especially after they imposed the national lockdown.
- PRODUCT MATTER - A review of some products that help make working at home a bit easier and more productive.
- INSIGHTS FROM 140+ REMOTE TEAMS AND COMPANIES ON HOW TO INTEGRATE, MANAGE AND COMMUNICATE REMOTELY - To help contain the spread of COVID-19, remote work has been advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and companies worldwide across all industries and sizes have implemented working from home as a temporary workplace policy.
Business of Furniture - April 1, 2020
- Building a Dream — Gebesa Sets Sights on Growing Its US Market - The company specialized in kitchen cabinets at first, eventually adding more products and finishes to its offerings.
- COVID-19 Industry Bulletin Board - New on page 8 - Business of Furniture is dedicated to getting you the latest industry information.
- The Brandywine Experience - The Brandywine Experience (Bex) is a co-working and meeting space created exclusively for tenants within Brandywine Realty Trust's office buildings.
- Remote Work Tips for the A&D Industry - As an industry that thrives on creative inspiration and human interaction, we've been forced almost overnight to transition to a near-complete remote existence.
- "So the Company and its Employees can Come Through This Crisis Together" - A certain sense of helplessness comes from being quarantined.
- Steelcase Combats COVID-19 Global Pandemic; Commits to Supply Critical Medical PPE Equipment Needs - Steelcase Friday reported it has already started and continues to manufacture and deploy critical equipment supplies for healthcare providers on the frontlines of the battle against the COVID-19 global pandemic.
- Note from CIFF: The Show is Rescheduled for Late July - Salone del Mobile.Milano Now Cancelled; Event to Take Place Next April
- Stephen Says - "The Perfect On Line Job Interview (and How to Have Better Internet Meetings for Anything)" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Global Asset Management Company – Amsterdam
- FIRST LOOKS - 3form, Luna, SurfaceWorks, Source, Concertex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 25, 2020
- NeoCon 2020 Cancelled - For the first time in 52 years, there will be no NeoCon.
- Our Commitment to You: Providing the Most Useful and Up-to-Date Information - A lot is going on, and things are changing quickly.
- The Viscusi Group Now TVG Recruiters - The company's tag — "excellence in search" — remains. It is there to emphasize TVG's ongoing commitment to what it says will never change — a brand ethos which has been built on trust, credibility and industry knowledge.
- Career Builder Catches Up With Its Culture in New HQ - Career Builder's previous setup was compartmentalized over three floors, and the employees rarely interacted with each other.
- Kimball Announces Next Chapter of David Edward Brand - Kimball has announced the next chapter of David Edward, introducing a refreshed brand identity and product structure within the Kimball family.
- Corporate Real Estate Professionals Report Continuing Increase in Revised Workplace Strategies Based on Coronavirus - 78% of end users surveyed think expanded use of virtual meetings (e.g., versus face-to-face meetings) will last beyond the current crisis.
- Herman Miller 'Focused...On What We Could Control' in Latest Quarter - The company delivered adjusted earnings per share that exceeded the expectations that were established at the start of the quarter.
- Stephen Says - "What Is Going To Happen To My Job After the COVID-19 Pandemic?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Lead with Gratitude" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Artjail Offices – Toronto
- FIRST LOOKS - Encore, Global, Source International
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 18, 2020
- Breaking News: NeoCon 2020 Postponed - Due to the escalating Coronavirus outbreak and the need for social distancing, theMART, along with key industry stakeholders, have made the decision to postpone NeoCon 2020.
- Coronavirus Won't Crush Industry Optimism - In the short term, our industry — along with the world — is going to feel a lot of pain. Bellow Press, the publishers of this publication and "Workplaces" magazine, is working on a plan to help with alternative marketing opportunities now that NeoCon is postponed.
- TÜV Rheinland Furniture Test Lab Opens in West Michigan - The new testing facility comes at an important time for the industry.
- ROOM with A View - A Sustainable Solution Provider of Soundproofing Booths Aims to Solve Modern Workplace Challenges The concept of how ROOM came about was rooted in the personal experiences.
- The Future of Hackability Is Here: 5 Tips to Keep You Ahead of the Game - Flexible work is the top of every employee's bucket list as the lines between work and play continue to blur.
- The HON Company and Unika Vaev Announce Partnership Agreement - HON and its nationwide network of trade partners will market and sell some of Unika Vaev's decorative acoustic products.
- Versteel Debuts its Elly Chair - The Elly line features an integrated family of seats and small tables that can be configured in countless ways.
- Stephen Says - "More LinkedIn Advice To Create to Best Profile in the World" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "How to Become Recognized as a Leader in Your Company" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Zovio Headquarters – Chandler
- FIRST LOOKS - Bisley + Vetrospace, Muzo, BrighterBooth
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 11, 2020
- NeoCon, High Point Market are a Go, but Mart Watching Spread of Coronavirus Carefully - The office furniture industry is bracing for the economic effects of the coronavirus on the North American economy.
- Teknion Weighs in on Neurodiversity, Taking its Cues From the Classroom - Teknion has taken neurodiversity into consideration by expanding its product portfolio to cater to a variety of workspace environments.
- Office Design Trends for 2020 & beyond - from Coalesse - With the large generational gap in today's workforce, it is important for offices to be designed for a multi-generational workforce, and diverse spaces support a diverse workforce.
- AIS Unveils Renovated and Expanded Headquarters Showroom - The 6,000-square-foot space within AIS's headquarters features the latest AIS products in a vibrant working environment surrounded by windows that overlook a forest.
- Haworth Sales Reach $2.25 Billion in 2019; Up 5% Over Last Year - "Haworth experienced a good year of profitable growth across our commercial interiors and lifestyle design businesses," said Franco Bianchi.
- New Trendway opens Los Angeles Showroom - Utilizing Trendway's full architectural wall line, the space is delineated into hospitality, private and open office zones.
- Spacestor Expands Global Presence with NY Flagship Designed by Gensler - The company tapped Gensler to design an inviting and versatile space for the brand.
- Stephen Says - "My Cool Company Was Bought By One of the Big Guys: Now What?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- From Where I Sit - "The Office 2030 – A Few Things We Will Rarely See" - by Michael A. Dunlap
- PLACES - Lacoste Offices – Hong Kong
- FIRST LOOKS - Camira and Sonneman
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 4, 2020
- Compartment | A Launches Sustainable, Industrial-Inspired Furniture Brand - Compartment | A, founded by furniture entrepreneur John Keogh and designer Kurt Loubaton, has launched with industrial-inspired furniture and fixtures that emphasize sustainability in office, home and hospitality.
- Using Design to Express the Humanistic Elements of a Brand - As younger generations enter the workforce, expectations of the workplace have changed, including assumptions about remote work and the belief the workplace should be more than a place to do the physical job.
- A Letter from China: The Coronavirus and How it is (and Could) Affect the Office Furniture Industry - CIFF, the world's largest office furniture fair, is postponed until further notice.
- VARIDESK Undergoes Major Rebrand - The company that was formerly known worldwide as VariDesk announced it is now Vari – a workspace innovation company.
- Herman Miller and Logitech G Join Forces to Create High-Performance Furniture for Gamers - Herman Miller Heads into a new product and marketing lane where contract hasn't gone before.
- Costin Named CEO of Bisley - Bisley has strengthened its executive board team with the appointment of Richard Costin, its former commercial director, to the position of CEO following the departure of John Atkin in February.
- Stephen Says - "What Is the Best Time of Day to Ask My Boss for a Raise?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "3 Keys to being a Great Leader" - by Sid Meadows, founder and principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Full Node Coworking Offices – Berlin
- FIRST LOOKS - Bisley and LEVEL 4 DESIGNS
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - March, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: Engine Shed, Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol, U.K. - Engine Shed is one of the most dynamic coworking centers we've ever set foot in. It is buzzing with activity and creativity rarely found in coworking locations nowadays. It acts in precisely the way a coworking facility should — by serendipitously connecting people, leading to potential business growth and expansion.
- 30% OF MEETINGS NEVER HAPPEN, AND IT'S COSTING BUSINESS BIG - New research by Norwegian meetings tech provider Synergy SKY reveals regularly missed meetings are costing employers huge sums of cash globally due to the sheer number of meeting rooms being booked by workers that no one turns up to use.
- GENSLER CHICAGO OFFICE SPARKS SOME OF WORLD'S MOST CREATIVE PROJECTS - The global design firm creates many workplaces for its customers around the world, which locally include the revamp of the Willis Tower and Old Chicago Post Office, to name just a couple.
- "THE GUYS MISSED OUT" — DESIGN PROFESSIONALS WEIGH IN ON GENDER EQUALITY - Women in the design industry are continuing to rise in rank and not just for the sake of improving statistics or one-upping the men, but because they are pushing themselves to be better, more confident and heard.
- HOME IS WHERE THE WORK IS: THE BLURRING OF THE WORKPLACE AND THE HOUSEHOLD - The purposeful melding of the household and the office, if employed correctly, enables us to enjoy the rewards of both.
- FIVE AMENITIES THAT WILL IMPRESS TENANTS - Commercial building amenities in the 21st century are wildly different than the sundry shop and a shoeshine stand of yesteryear.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you and your workplace.
- FIVE ESSENTIALS FOR THE PERFECT WORKSTATION - For decades, office furniture was designed to be stationary and people were required to adjust their physical positions around the tools in their workstation. Ergonomists now know it's important for people to be able to move freely throughout the day to be healthy, comfortable and focused.
- NEARLY A QUARTER OF EMPLOYED AMERICANS SAY THEIR ORGANIZATION HAS ENOUGH TALENT, BUT IT DOESN'T ENABLE THEM TO DO THEIR JOB AS WELL AS THEY'D LIKE - College grads are more likely to feel their organization has the most talented people in the industry than those with some college.
Business of Furniture - February 26, 2020
- Special-T, the Fastest Growing Table Manufacturer in US, Rebuilds the Lives of Recovering Alcoholics and Addicts - For those trying to get clean and sober, past addiction to drugs or alcohol can prevent them from finding steady, meaningful work.
- Herman Miller Joins WELL Portfolio Program, the First Furniture Manufacturer on the List - We spend about 90% of our lives indoors, so our building management practices have a really big impact on people in our society.
- Surface Design Show 2020 Inspired with the Best in Surface Innovations - The 2020 edition of the Surface Design Show at London's Business Design Centre Feb. 11-13 featured its biggest showing ever of surface material and architectural lighting designs.
- Registration Now Open for NeoCon and Four Keynote Speakers Announced - Registration is open for NeoCon 2020. The show will celebrate its 52nd edition June 8-10 with the latest ideas, products and experiences in the furniture industry.
- Haworth Inn and Conference Center Undergoing Complete Renovation - Hope College's Haworth Inn and Conference Center near downtown Holland, is undergoing a complete renovation that will debut in a few months.
- Knoll Posts Record Year-end Results that Fall Short of Wall Street Expectations - Full year growth was driven by both Office and Lifestyle segments.
- HNI Corporation Reports Strong Profitability for 2019 - Office furniture net sales decreased $8.9 million or 0.5% from the prior year to $1.697 billion.
- Stephen Says - "Love Me or Hate Me, You're Gonna Need Me" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Booking.com Offices – New York City
- FIRST LOOKS - Clear Design, ESI, Kirei, Tayco, Louis Poulsen, Designtex, Pallas and Arcadia
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 19, 2020
- Students Need Flexibility and Ownership at School, which Begins With Furniture - Flexibility, comfort, posture support and fidgeting features are considered essential elements to be included in student furniture design for the updated classroom.
- Innovative Office Products Acquires SiS Ergo - Founded and headquartered in Denmark, SiS Ergo is a manufacturing pioneer of height-adjustable tables.
- Reps Learn Nook is More than a Typical Pod at UK Event - A group of top independent reps gathered in the U.K. last week to learn about Nook. Nook was designed by company founder David O'Coimin to create an oasis of calm in the din of the open office, classroom or other space where a bit of privacy is needed, but not the complete isolation found in other products.
- Industry Inspiration: An Assessment of Disruption in the Residential Real Estate Industry - Across the residential industry, real estate brokerage firms are looking for creative ways to continue to capture market share.
- Over 550 Dismissed in Wayfair Layoffs - Recently, the eCommerce retailer has entered the contract furnishings arena, offering an assortment of furniture from the likes of Turnstone and Steelcase along with several no-name Chinese sourced products.
- Stephen Says - "Stuck in the Sales Rep Rut: How Do I Get to be a Sales Manager?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Suhrkamp Verlag Offices – Berlin
- FIRST LOOKS - Room & Board, Workrite, Unika Vaev, Dekko, Davis, Hightower, Scandinavian Spaces
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 12, 2020
- INDEAL Holds Supplier Council in NOLA - INDEAL is the largest purchasing organization of its kind in North America and the only one focused exclusively on the needs of the aligned contract dealer.
- IMM Cologne: A Review - While outdoor furniture may typically be thought of as purely practical, launches in Cologne proved style and comfort could be factored in too.
- Plumen x Batchworks Lampshades Debut, Highlighting Sustainability - London-based design companies Batchworks and Plumen have partnered on a collection of five 3-D printed lampshades using plastic recycled from water bottles and other sources of plastic pollution.
- Designing for Icons: EQ Office Owns and Manages Some of the Most Renowned Buildings in the World - Today, the workplace is focused on the humans who use the space and the generation of ideas, which is a seismic shift.
- New Bill Proposed in New York is For the Birds, Really - Associate the word safety with a big city and one might be concerned about their own safety or human safety in general, but do you ever think about bird safety?
- Kimball Sales Decline on Brand Realignment - All verticals reported orders growth in the quarter with hospitality leading at 31%. The growth within the hospitality vertical was attributed to the robust Las Vegas market.
- USM Joins the Billionaire Boys Club - USM has been chosen to create the structure and provide furniture to display The Billionaires Boys Club (BBC) designs at a pop-up shop in the newly opened Galeries Lafayette in Paris.
- Stephen Says - "The Outside Sales Rep I Hired Has Turned Into a Glorified Messenger Service" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Creating Massive Momentum: Three Simple Actions You can Take to Make 2020 Your Best Year Yet" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Fontworks Offices – Tokyo
- FIRST LOOKS - Bendheim, Luum, Frövi, Bisley, Workrite, BDI, ErgoGenesis, Humanscale, DeskMakers and Waddell
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 5, 2020
- Organizers Postpone CIFF Guangzhou Over Coronavirus Outbreak - China International Furniture Fair (CIFF), the largest office furniture show in the world, is being postponed by organizers as the country continues to deal with the spread of the coronavirus.
- Do the Math: Wyatt is Confident its Seating Products Add Up - If you are an office furniture dealer, Wyatt Seating wants you to do a little math. Compare its seating with its competitors, figure out your margin and add in a little cost savings for your customers.
- The Perfect Workplace for Every Type of Worker - Francis Cauffman Architects (FCA) recently designed the new Liberty Property Trust headquarters, an office geared to fit a variety of workstyles.
- Maximizing the Impact of Design in an Ecosystem of Shrinking Leases - Since 2015, the volume of commercial real estate transactions has been on a steady decline. Metrics suggest that, other than the pre–real estate bubble burst of 2006, 2015 marked the peak of commercial transactional spend.
- LightCorp Acquires California Design Brand Most Modest - LightCorp's acquisition of Most Modest provides a major growth opportunity to cross over from the contract office environment into residential and direct-to-consumer markets with lighting and technology solutions.
- West Coast's Largest Interior Solutions Firm Brings a Focus on Workplace as a Driver of Culture and Performance - One Workplace has relaunched the company as One Workplace Sacramento.
- Landscape Forms Honored with Two IDA Awards - Landscape Forms' Generation 50 and Upfit received top honors at this year's International Design Awards Awards Competition.
- Stephen Says - "Do Your Employees Have EQ?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Home Base International Offices – Shanghai
- FIRST LOOKS - MergeWorks, Kimball, Okamura
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - February, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: RITZ-CARLTON ORLANDO GRANDE LAKES - Is it possible for a workplace to be less-than-stellar when staying at a place as nice as the Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, and when the weather is miserable at home? Indeed it is. Chalk it up to another stay at a hotel that does little to help the business traveler.
- OFFICE ETIQUETTE SURVEY: BAD LANGUAGE, PETS, POLITICAL DÉCOR REMAIN BIGGEST OFFENSES - New research from global staffing firm Accountemps reveals some do's and don'ts for today's workplace. Staff shouldn't feel like they're walking on eggshells at work, but it's important to be respectful of others and ensure your actions don't cause a distraction or compromise your professional reputation.
- WORKPLACES COME ALIVE WITH SAGEGREENLIFE - Sagegreenlife is making it easy for offices and public spaces to go green by using technology that takes the guesswork out of watering and lighting. Sagegreenlife is making it easy for offices and public spaces to go green by using technology that takes the guesswork out of watering and lighting. The Chicago company's products aren't just designed to pretty up an office either.
- THE RISE OF MAKERSPACES - Makerspaces are unique because they foster skills in a diverse array of disciplines. They cater to everyone from casual hobbyists and weekend warriors to retired trades workers and budding entrepreneurs. Education is also a cornerstone, with everything from robotics classes for school kids to adult lessons on leatherworking.
- MANPOWERGROUP ON THE MOVE: PRESIDENT BECKY FRANKIEWICZ TALKS WORKPLACE EVOLUTION AND THE ART OF RETAINING TALENT - With a career touching on all aspects of leading several top-level companies, including PepsiCo/Quaker, Deloitte and Andersen Consulting, Becky Frankiewicz has seen the workplace change in a myriad of ways.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
Business of Furniture - January 29, 2020
- Industry Leaders Examine Every Direction at BIFMA 360° Conference - The three-day leadership conference revolves around the speakers that each present for about an hour, followed by a question-and-answer session.
- KI Contributes to New School Building for Homeless Children - KI often works on projects that involve sensitive situations, such as children's hospitals or the Salvation Army, so it seemed a natural fit to get involved with the Positive Tomorrows project.
- Tom Reardon, the Industry 'Standard,' Reflects on Two Decades as BIFMA Executive Director Reardon is retiring from his full-time position as executive director. - For more than two decades, Reardon has been the steady rudder at BIFMA, the not-for-profit trade association for business and institutional furniture manufacturers.
- No Phone Zone — The Offline Chair Provides a Quiet Space Without Screen Time - The key amenity to the chair — in addition to its soft seat cushion and cozy upholstery — is a special pocket for mobile phones that blocks mobile and Wi-Fi signals.
- Configura Expands into Japan with Launch of Kokuyo's CET Designer Extension - Kokuyo will call its CET Designer Extension "GRIP" — Graphically Integrated Platform.
- Stephen Says - "Furniture Folk Are Good Folk!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - JCJ Architecture Offices – Hartford
- FIRST LOOKS - Kimball and Global
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 22, 2020
- Industry to Organize Around City of Hope in Major Charitable Push - The office products industry started small, raising about $50,000. Last year, the industry raised $15.5 million for City of Hope and the target for 2020 is $17.5 million.
- Framery Debuts a New Pod Relevant for the Future - The O VCR is a one-person booth featuring video call technology without the technology. Instead, the O VCR offers space in the booth for a 24-inch screen of the customer’s choice.
- How the Application of Neuroscience in Design Can Separate Us from Artificial Intelligence - Why do some spaces appeal to our senses better than others?
- Knoll Mothballs Grand Rapids Plant, 210 Jobs Affected - Under the restructuring plan, most of the Grand Rapids manufacturing operations are expected to be closed by the end of the second quarter of 2020.
- Novacap Portfolio Company Bestar Acquires Bush Industries - The two companies have more than 130 years of combined history in the RTA furniture industry and consolidated sales of approximately $200 million.
- Innovative Office Products Acquires CompuCaddy, Opens Up Healthcare Market - CompuCaddy is a manufacturer of medical computer carts, medical cart workstations and other complementary products for medical and health care facilities.
- Teknion Experience Centre Opens in Heart of Dubai Design District - The Teknion Experience Centre officially opened in the heart of the d3 Dubai Design District during the recent Dubai Design Week.
- Stephen Says - "Why is the Search to find the President of our Company Taking so Long?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- From Where I Sit - "A Gender Revolution in Jasper, Indiana" - by Michael A. Dunlap
- PLACES - Flight Centre Offices – Toronto
- FIRST LOOKS - Ferco Seating and Coalesse
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 15, 2020
- Innovakote Creating 'Full Circle' Powder Coat Recycling Process - A new company, Innovakote, is cleaning, sorting and preparing industry waste for a new life. It is trying to close the loop on a major problem for the office furniture industry and others who use powder coating.
- Trend Marketing Announces Passing of Founder and Principal, Fred Goff - Fred was more than the boss or industry rep, he was a friend and mentor to those on his team and to those he worked with.
- There Are New Giant TV Screens on The Market — Make Some Room For Massive Marketing Technology - Colossal-sized screens might be the next big thing.
- The Future is Bright with LED Lighting Possibilities - Diode light is more efficient powerwise than incandescent, halogen and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. LED lights are not filament bulbs, but little semiconductors.
- BuzziSpace Opens New Showroom at Design Post Cologne - BuzziSpace, the global brand behind acoustic lighting and furniture solutions for healthy workspaces, opened its Cologne, Germany, showroom at Design Post during IMM 2020.
- Stephen Says - "Please Stop Forwarding Me Articles You Read Online, I Already Saw Them" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "The Importance of Reading: Every Book Gives You the Opportunity to Learn and Grow" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Urban Spaces Coworking Offices – Stuttgart
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Ghent and National Office
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 8, 2020
- Steelcase Superdealer One Workplace Acquires OpenSquare - For One Workplace, the deal is another example of how it continues to evolve and transition the business. Last year, the company's sales were $500 million, a figure that dwarfs most office furniture manufacturers. It also accounts for nearly 14% of Steelcase's sales. And now it's even bigger.
- HAT Contract: The Future Is Certain, According To Its Latest Research - HAT Contract recently introduced "The Office of 2025, Six Trends Driving the Future of Office Design," a white paper on the future of office spaces.
- Experts Explain How User-Centric Design Will Play Out in 2020 - Expanding beyond meditation, many companies are making their definition of wellness more inclusive.
- Perkins&Will Transforms Former Austin Bar into HQ for Disruptive eCommerce Retailer Spreetail - Spanning three levels, the Spreetail office features bold and branded design highlights complemented by state-of-the-art amenities.
- Inscape's RockIt Bench Honored with GOOD DESIGN Award - The light scale bench is designed to utilize natural materials to create diverse environments, including resimercial, industrial chic and mid-century modern.
- Stephen Says - "I Sell My Furniture Through Independent Reps and I'm Worried About the Future" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Workplace Tech - "Technology's Role in Making Space Relevant" - by Steven Lang, President & CEO of dancker
- PLACES - Dimension Data Offices – Johannesburg
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Landscape Forms, Mohawk, Wolf-Gordon, Workrite and Mannington
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 1, 2020
- EDITS Promises to Sell Modern Design Direct for Less - Though the furniture industry has been slow to adapt to the internet model, it appears as if the digital age is rapidly taking shape in this industry.
- It Starts With Furniture — TPG Designer Weighs In On The Timing Of Project Elements - As more flexibility is needed in the workspace, it's less about needing the perfect space and more about creating an agile space that can be reconfigured at any point to accommodate growth and change.
- Ware Malcomb Announces Construction Complete on Sam Clar Corporate Office and Showroom - Construction began in 2018 on the renovation of the company's 18,922-square-foot facility, which was severely damaged in a warehouse fire on Thanksgiving Day in 2015.
- Steelcase Q3 Earnings and Revenues Top Estimates - Revenue increased 6% in the third quarter compared to the prior year, reflecting strong growth in the Americas and the Other category. The growth in the Americas benefited from favorable timing of shipments compared to recent trends.
- Herman Miller Reports Decrease in New Orders for Latest Quarter - New orders in the second quarter of $674.9 million were 4.2% below the prior year level, causing Herman Miller shares to dive.
- Stephen Says - "You're Cursing At Work? Are you F&@#$ng Kidding Me?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - RigUp Offices – Austin
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Landscape Forms, KFI Studios, Wilkhahn, Maharam and Mohawk
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 18 & 25, 2019
- INDEAL U Learning Platform Celebrates Major Milestone - INDEAL University, which offers a curriculum of learning modules for dealers, marked its first year in November.
- LogicData Holds Open House at New Grand Rapids HQ - The company's success brought with it growing pains — like getting too big for its Grand Rapids office, the hub of its North American operations.
- Coronado DC Designs Its New Headquarters - Known for its specialization in selecting, designing, procuring, ordering and installing furniture in commercial spaces, Coronado DC focuses mainly on government contracts.
- Service West Is Turning 40 and Ramping Up for Its Next Level - Founder and CEO Mark Vignoles said it's not necessarily a rebrand as it is an effort to enhance a brand that already exists with the company principles of H.E.A.R.T. — humility, execution, accountability, respect and trust.
- Simplify the Client Experience Through Furniture Price-Per-Square-Foot - CBRE Furniture Advisory Services has been quoting in cost-per-square-foot terms for furniture from the start.
- Herman Miller Appoints Debbie Propst as New President of Retail - Propst joined Herman Miller from Bed, Bath & Beyond, where she served most recently as president of One Kings Lane.
- Stephen Says - "Another Regional Manager Quit in NYC...Again!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "'I'm a Great Multitasker': Debunking the Myth that You Can Effectively do More Than One Thing at a Time" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Slack Headquarters – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from National Office, Coalesse, H Contract, Versteel and Wolf-Gordon
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 11, 2019
- ergoCentric Looks to Repeat Canadian Success in the US - Using a modular manufacturing system, ergoCentric claims it can fit virtually 100% of the population. A task chair is more than just a piece of furniture. If it's designed properly, workers will be more productive and more comfortable doing work without pain or physical stress.
- Whitney Architects and Qdesign has New Chicago Home - The office features a number of work styles — from small, flexible conference rooms to a welcoming lobby that also works as a touchdown space for its designers and guests. In short, it shows that work doesn't have to happen in any one style.
- Diversity and Design Panel Held: How We can Shape a More Inclusive Workplace - Inclusive design results in better experiences for everyone.
- Update on Ergonomics, The Industry is Catching Up - The options for amazing ergonomics furnishings are seemingly endless. Yet, ergonomics is still a confusing topic for many people.
- Color of the Year: Pantone 2020: Classic Blue - Pantone's 2020 Color of the Year is Classic Blue, a shade that brings to mind the color of the sky at dusk.
- Stephen Says - "Holiday Party Etiquette for 2019: Just Show Up!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Sheehan Nagle Hartray Architects Offices – Chicago
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from AIS, Indiana Furniture, Poliform, Masland and Springboard
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 4, 2019
- Flokk Acquires 9to5: What it Means for the Industry - For customers, dealers and employees at 9to5, the fast-growing Los Angeles-based seating company, little will change. But what about the industry?
- Skyline Design Introduces CAMAflage Glass by Cama Collection - Dignity Glass was created on the principle that environmental aesthetics play a significant role in patient healing and provider wellbeing.
- Tom Dixon Explains TOUCHYSMELLYFEELYNOISYTASTY to NYC Designers - During his discussion, Dixon provided insight into the importance of sensory engagement, especially now when capturing an audience of consumers is more challenging than ever.
- Behind-the-Scenes Look at Residential Furniture's Transition to Commercial-Grade Standards - Using a contract-grade brand often results in missing out on the consumer-inspired, easy ordering process and the softer look and feel of the residential lines.
- BDG Wins UK Project of the Year at the Int'l FX Awards - BDG architecture + design has won Project of the Year by a U.K.-based studio for Amsteldok, a new Amsterdam campus for WPP.
- Trendway Names New Leadership - Rhoades will oversee all Trendway operations with a focus on growing sales, optimizing manufacturing and the ongoing integration into Fellowes Brands.
- Stephen Says - "Do I Need My Home Address on My Resume? I Am Getting Mixed Advice" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Let's go Masterminding" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - United Microelectronics Centre Offices – Hong Kong
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Special-T, Cubicall, Foscarini, Fil Doux, Pallas, Jean-Marie Massaud, KFI, Wilsonart, Frovi and Wilkhahn
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - December, 2019 / January, 2020
- WHERE I'M WORKING: STAN'S DONUTS & COFFEE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - Doughnuts and coffee are the fuel that keep the workplace humming. When a box of doughnuts arrives in the office, all the well-meaning healthy workplace mandates go out the window.
- FLEXIBLE WORKSPACES AND COWORKING COULD CONTRIBUTE OVER $127 BILLION TO LOCAL ECONOMIES IN THE US IN THE NEXT DECADE - The increasing migration of flexible office space and coworking locations to areas outside of major metropolitan cities globally is creating a flex economy that could contribute more than $127 billion to U.S. local communities in the next decade.
- 39% OF COWORKING EMPLOYEES WORK AT WEWORK, LOCAL SPACES MAY GROW AS WEWORK DRAMA CONTINUE - WeWork is the most popular coworking space, but smaller, local coworking spaces are catching up, according to a new survey from Clutch, the leading B2B ratings and reviews platform.
- FERRARA CANDY MAKES SWEET MOVE INTO CHICAGO'S OLD POST OFFICE - For Ferrara Candy, the new office is a stark departure from the 60,000-square-foot former headquarters in suburban Oakbrook Terrace.
- WALLS THAT WOW - Branded interiors are more than splashing your company colors everywhere.
- HOW LIGHTING ALTERS OUR MOOD IN THE WORKPLACE - The inconspicuous nature of lighting and its advantageous nature in modern society is oftentimes taken for granted.
- THE RIVETER SUMMIT: WOMEN BUILD THE FUTURE BY REDEFINING THE WORKPLACE - The one-and-a-half day event focused on women building the future with programming that featured sessions on key workplace topics.
- TECH SECTOR STILL SEEING LOW NUMBERS OF WOMEN AND OFFICE DESIGN PLAYS A FACTOR - Workspace and work style issues are key factors in supporting gender equity, but there is little data or guidance on how to implement such designs.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
- STUDY SHOWS MALE ALLIES CAN COMBAT SEXISM — OR CONTRIBUTE TO IT IN WORKPLACE - Male allies can play a powerful role in combating chauvinistic behavior toward women but they can also unintentionally contribute to sexism, according to a new study.
- WHEN GRIEF GETS IN THE WAY AT WORK - Organizations are implementing measures to improve employee engagement and create a positive work culture.
Business of Furniture - November 27, 2019
- Breaking News: 9to5 Seating Joins Flokk - Flokk Group, A leading European manufacturer of office seating products, has entered into an agreement to acquire 9to5 Seating. Through this acquisition, Flokk expands its footprint in the US market, underpinning its international growth strategy.
- Memo Furniture Creates Caffeinated Buzz - This simple-to-use, hackable product is designed for workers to create their own privacy in open-office structures and personalize their own workplaces.
- On the Heels of Corporation of the Year Award, Herman Miller Aims to Broaden and Develop its Diversity Efforts - The company has been recognized 12 times over the last 14 years as Corporation of the Year by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council.
- The Concierge Effect of Today’s Hottest Design Trend: Personalization Becomes King - "What really matters to this new generation of occupants is more about what you're doing for me. What does this offer me, or how does it make me better?" In the design industry, we talk a lot about pulling influences from other verticals.
- With a Sense of Obligation, Room & Board Launches Commercial Division - 20 years ago, when Room & Board's founder John Gabbert took on a project furnishing the new Le Méridien Chambers hotel in Minneapolis, he didn't realize it would be the beginning of the company's commercial division.
- 20 Years After "Office Space", The Mondays Are No More - While the modern workplace might have evolved of its own accord, the film became something of a lightning rod for a revolution in office culture.
- Stephen Says - "What if My Showroom Manager is a Sourpuss?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Contentful Offices – Berlin
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from LINAK, Allsteel, ErgoGenesis, Integra, Kimball, Compel, Carnegie, Designtex, Morbern, Shaw, JSI, Versa and Tarkett
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 20, 2019
- Designing Flexible Office Spaces - Office spaces have evolved tremendously over the years. Both advancements in technology and the emphasis on work-life balance have given birth to a newer, more modern type of office.
- Branch, a New Office Furniture Company, Aims to Own the Middle Market - Branch's furniture is affordable because the company sells directly to its customers, with no dealers to stand between the two.
- Maars Launches New Wall Product to Create Privacy in Open Office - This simple-to-use, hackable product is designed for workers to create their own privacy in open-office structures and personalize their own workplaces.
- Humanscale Works with Corporate Giants to Recycle Ocean Plastic - For some companies, creating environmentally friendly products is more greenwashing than good for the globe.
- Export Furniture Exhibition Slated for March in Malaysia - EFE has taken a big step forward with the expansion made possible by KLCC's expanded venue space.
- Room & Board Introduces Business Interiors for Hospitality & Workplace Environments - Room & Board has launched Room & Board Business Interiors, a collection of contract-grade hospitality and workplace products.
- Stephen Says - "When A Beauty Mark is Not So Beautiful?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: The 4 Steps to Making a Decision" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Gensler Offices – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Special-T, AIS, Humanscale, Arper, Hightower, Flos, Unika Vaev, Clarus, Narbutas, Milliken and OFGO
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 13, 2019
- AIS Celebrates 30 Years with Pride in the Past - The furniture manufacturing company Affordable Interior Systems (AIS) had an unlikely start, but it has become one of the most notable in the industry — and it's even governor approved.
- Union Wood Company Brings Commercial Options to the Table - When it comes to furniture manufacturing, Craig Pearce loves making tables the most.
- Build Some Visual, Acoustic Privacy with Brix by Luxxbox - It is easy to create an open, so-called agile office. Getting acoustical privacy is the hard part. The unique, modular, acoustic sound management system creates partitions, walls and cubicles for privacy while reducing unwanted noise in open spaces.
- Legrand Acquires Connectrac - Expanding opportunities for its customers and driving innovation. Those are the two main reasons Connectrac co-founder Clint Strong decided to sell his company to Legrand.
- DeskMakers Acquires Furniture Company Scale1:1 - The purchase of Scale1:1 represents an expansion for DeskMakers that opens the door to a new audience while increasing the variety of designs available to clients and dealers.
- DIRTT 2019 Third Quarter Sales Slip 12 percent - Revenue decreased in the three months ended September 30, 2019 by $8.5 million or 12% compared to the same period of 2018.
- Stephen Says - "It's the End of the Year and My Employee's Always Quit in January! What Should I DO?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - PwC Experience Center Offices – Paris
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Indiana Furniture, Okamura, Unika Vaev, Móz Designs, Coalesse + Nanimarquina, Kirei and Knoll
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 6, 2019
- OM Asks Important Question with New Product: How do You Werksy? - All great chair designs come from exploration: tapping into curiosity and seeing where it leads. For OM, that design exploration led to one of the most unique chairs the industry has seen in some time, Werksy.
- Shedding Light on Misconceptions About LED--Modular Lighting Instruments Morphing to Next Level - If done properly, LED lighting is just as good as any other light source ever made. If done improperly, it's one of the worst elements to be included in design.
- theMART Looks to 'Rewrite Playbook'; Quell Concerns Over NeoCon's Future - Though theMART's grip on NeoCon may be loosening, show organizers believe keeping critical mass in the building is important.
- Connecting with Designers in a Time-Crunched Era - While the topics covered opinions on product and process innovation, perhaps nothing enlightened the audience more than when the conversation shifted to the ways in which dealers and manufacturers could best support designers.
- Davis Furniture Adds New Office Building and Warehouse - The new building will house 35,000 square feet of warehouse space and 16,000 square feet of office space.
- New Survey Shows Workers Prefer Private Offices, Spaces Over Open Plan - Employees may not want to work in an office with an open floor plan, but they can succeed in this environment, especially at a company that encourages collaboration.
- Kimball Posts 3.8% Sales Gain - Sales growth benefited from new ancillary products within National, healthcare products within Kimball, and custom business within Kimball Hospitality.
- Stephen Says - "It's Taking Twice as Long for Someone to Find a New Job Today, It's Not You!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Work has come Full Circle - by Darlene Burns
- PLACES - Fosbury & Sons Boitsfort Offices – Brussels
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Elkus Manfredi Architects and Studio Other, Landscape Forms, LINAK, Wilkhahn, Versteel, ESI, Carnegie, Concertex, Bentley and Mohawk
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - November, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: MERCY HEALTH ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL ORTHOPEDIC FLOOR, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - Business travel takes me to many far-flung places, but rarely has it left me with a more frustrating and frightening "souvenir" than it did after a recent trip to China.
- FLEXJOBS SURVEY FINDS WANTING TO TRAVEL A SURPRISINGLY POPULAR MOTIVATOR FOR WHY MILLENNIALS WORK - According to a July 2019 FlexJobs survey, which included more than 1,600 millennials, travel is a surprisingly popular motivator for why millennials work.
- SMART FURNITURE – THE FUTURE IS HERE - Internet-connected furnishings tackle two common challenges in the workplace: employee productivity and well-being.
- WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR WORKPLACE? CREATE PLACES WHERE WORKERS CAN CONNECT FACE-TO-FACE - Gensler's recent research shows connecting face-to-face builds good relationships, speeds the flow of ideas, raises awareness between departments and bolsters information sharing.
- TEKNION'S HUB ALLOWS CLIENTS TO TEST DIFFERENT SETTINGS - The open office has led to many debates — and numerous studies which point out the strengths and weaknesses of it.
- GETTING COMFORTABLE -- COMPANIES COMBINE FORCES TO BRING NEXT GENERATION INTELLIGENCE INTO THE WORKPLACE - Comfy is a user-facing software platform that delivers enterprise-grade analytics on space utilization and building operations.
- VOCON COMPLETES DESIGN OF DROGA5'S NEW YORK HEADQUARTERS - Vocon has completed the design of three floors for Droga5, a New York City-based advertising agency.
- TO PROVE IT WORKS, ARCHITECT STUDIO MA BUILDS SUPER-GREEN HQ IN PHOENIX - "We believe in social equity, regenerative bioclimatic design and an ethos of architecture for everyone."
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
- NEW GLOBAL WORKPLACE STUDY - Today's technology allows for space to be used more flexibly and for employees to work remotely.
- 6 GUIDELINES FOR CREATING REAL CULTURE CHANGE - For many organizations, a cultural transformation is what they need to make the leap from good to great.
- HOW WOMEN CAN HELP CLOSE THE GENDER PAY GAP IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS - Even though women in professional fields make up the majority of the workforce, men occupy most of the leadership positions.
Business of Furniture - October 30, 2019
- EDspaces Gathers Important Industry Segment in Milwaukee for Expo; Education - Split between top-notch educational sessions and a sizable expo showing off the latest furniture and educational products, EDspaces is not the kind of event where tens of thousands of attendees show up to kick tires.
- Why Face to Face Still Matters in the Workplace - Companies that provide a variety of opportunities for people to come together face-to-face have more engaged and effective workforces.
- Banker Wire Meshes With Design Community - The manufacturer of woven and welded wire mesh for architectural and industrial applications has been known since 1896 for its applications in the agriculture, transportation and food processing sectors.
- How has HAY Acquisition Changed Herman Miller? For Det Bedste. - HAY is cool, hits a price point rarely found in Herman Miller's portfolio and its founders — who will remain on with the brand — are on the cutting edge of design that goes well beyond the world of office furniture.
- MASHstudios Opens New York Showroom - The Los Angeles-based maker of custom contract furnishings for some of the world's most recognized brands, is expanding its footprint this fall with the opening of a showroom in New York City.
- The Latest Financials - Knoll, HNI and Interface all showed sales growth in their latest financial reports.
- Stephen Says - "Unblock Your Calls or Get Blocked from the Job" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Digital Ergonomics - by Jake Himmelspach, principal and director of strategy at Peopledesign
- PLACES - FTI Consulting Offices – Century City
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Scandinavian Spaces, Wilkhahn, AMQ, BuzziSpace, Fritz Hansen, Milliken, Maharam and Ghent
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 23, 2019
- CET Experience Connects Users of Configura Software in Orlando - The CET Experience wasn't about the company. It was about the companies and the people that use CET Designer.
- Successful Launch of OM Chats: Design Discussion for Thinking Professionals - The role of empathy in the design of space and products was explored at the inaugural OM Chats: Design Discussions for Thinking Professionals at the Helms Design Center in Culver City.
- Delivering Excellence — Winslow Spares No Details in New Office Design That Embodies Its Brand - Typically, a horseshoe symbolizes good luck, but in the case of Winslow Capital Management, that shape wasn't so lucky.
- Embracing Technology Can Unlock Process Innovation - It's been said again and again — the biggest change coming to the A&D industry will be in the form of process innovation, not product innovation.
- Steelcase Expanding Relationship with Furniture Design Firm Uhuru - This relationship complements the extensive Steelcase portfolio that gives customers easy access to more choices with delivery by the largest dealer network in the industry.
- Room & Board Launches Business Interiors and Claims it is Reimagining the Contract Furniture Model with a Consumer-Centric Approach - As the company's commercial arm, Business Interiors was launched to meet the demands of commercial interiors and businesses.
- Stephen Says - "What is a 'Back Door' Reference, and is it Ethical?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Rejuvenate, Reenergize Your Mind and Body Defeating Distraction & Increasing Productivity" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - The Martin Agency Offices – Richmond
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions, Including: Allsteel Introduces Modular Seating for Modern Solutions / Multipurpose Squared / KFI Studio Introduces Voodoo Collection / ESI Introduces Enmo / Brentano Will Debut Indoor/Outdoor Velvet at BDNY / Captivating Design and Innovation from Concertex / HBF Textiles Fall 2019 Collection Pursues the Great Outdoors / Luum Textiles Launches Loom State Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 16, 2019
- Seriously Happy – Framery World Conference Guests Treated to Finnish Delights and Words of Wisdom - Framery is serious about happiness. So much, that the privacy booth manufacturing company is becoming known for its elaborate efforts to prove it.
- From Basic to Beautiful – Workrite Reframes the Adjustable Desk - Workrite Ergonomics has hit the market with its new Advent Collection featuring breakthrough engineering on its height-adjustable desk, and the challenge was immense, according to the company.
- Designer David Allan Pesso Sweats Every Detail (and it Shows) - Pesso's career has evolved from designing simple freestanding products to systems.
- Herman Miller Agrees to Acquire Majority Interest in HAY - Founded in Copenhagen in 2002 by Troels Holch Povlsen and Rolf and Mette Hay, HAY is a leader in ancillary furnishings in Europe and Asia and is active in the contract and residential furnishing markets.
- CIFF Shanghai 2019: New Records, Innovation Respond to Changes in the Sector - CIFF Shanghai 2019 represented the entire furniture supply chain.
- OFGO STUDIO Announces ReLaunch as Commercial Furnishings Manufacturer - The commercial furnishings manufacturer OFGO has relaunched its business operation under the moniker, OFGO Studio.
- Stephen Says - "Is the Pen Mightier Than the Interview Process?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Lemay Offices – Montreal
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions, Including: Studio TK Introduces F500 Series to North America / HBF Introduces Sleek, Flexible Morgan Chair / Indiana Furniture Expands Joy with New Upholstered Options / KFI Studios' Swey Chair Has Options for Days / Global Introduces Sas / Rockin' Roka with KFI Studios / ESI Introduces FlexCharge3 / Work Comfortably – The Hut Lounge Collection from Scandinavian Spaces / Mute Box: Artopex's Newest Innovation for Open Spaces / 3form Releases Four New Products for Fall 2019
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 9, 2019
- California Cool: Arcadia, a Company on a Roll, Proves Design, Innovation Drive Sales - Arcadia isn't a new, upstart brand. It has been in business for 40 years. Yet in many ways, it is just hitting its stride.
- Knoll Sues Senator Over Alleged Patent Violations on Pixel Table - At issue is whether the Array tables by Senator, which Knoll said were on exhibit at Senator's showroom at NeoCon in June, infringe on the PIXEL patent.
- In a Co-Everything World, Standards Become King - One way clients can simplify the procurement of contract grade is through services like Curate from Level.
- Clear Design Sets Sights on Growth, Fueled by Simple, Effective Formula - The company, with a U.S. base in San Antonio, Texas, has made a name for itself not by being everything to everyone.
- International Contemporary Furniture Fair and WantedDesign Manhattan to Co-locate from May 2020 - The ICFF-WantedDesign Manhattan co-location brings together two unique brands under one roof, creating a not-to-be-missed North American design industry event.
- Studio TK's Cesto Receives Bronze 2019 IDEA Awards - Studio TK's Cesto seating and table elements collection was honored in the 2019 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) competition.
- Stephen Says - "Is a 'Brand Ambassador' Just a Glorified Sales Rep?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "The End is Just the Beginning: Kickstart Your 2020 Planning Now" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - AmorePacific F21 Offices – Seoul
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions, Including: DeskMakers Introduces Catalina Open Plan Office Storage Solutions / Indiana Furniture Brings Biophilia Options, Barn Doors, and More to Square One / How Will You Design Your Revilution? / Camira Launches Yoredale, a Highly Anticipated British Wool Fabric / Source Introduces Tempt Stools
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 2, 2019
- Vitra Design Museum Debuts Atlas of Furniture Design - In November Vitra Design Museum will publish the Atlas of Furniture Design, a comprehensive overview on the history of modern furniture design.
- Futuristic Nap Pods Might Be the Right Investment For Your Tired Team - A sleep capsule is an enclosed pod where one can rest in privacy within a community environment.
- Nowy Styl Group Continues to Strengthen Hold on Europe - Today Nowy Styl is probably the most successful company of its sector in Europe. With the acquisitions of Kusch and Majencia and our double-digit internal growth rate, 2019 group sales should be close to half a billion euros.
- Coalesse + Partners: Bringing Something New to the Table - From its start more than 10 years ago, Coalesse has collaborated with a handful of select partners providing complementary products and capabilities.
- Why Flexible Office Space Is Leading to Commoditization in the Market - The standard relationship between third-party, flexible space operators and landlords typically has been traditional leases.
- Wayfair Professional Launches Turn-key Solution for Business Customers to Furnish Spaces - Each pre-designed space is built to suit the needs of industries with an emphasis on cohesive design and quick-ship products with high customer reviews.
- Stephen Says - "During an Interview, How Many Questions is too Many Questions?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - The Assemblage Coworking Offices – New York City
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions, Including: Clear Design Introduces KOZE / Arper Introduces Bowl Chair / Hightower Launches New Pieces to Popular Nest Collection / Ghent Expands Hex Collection, Creating Functional Artwork
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - October, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: PUBLICUS LAS VEGAS - Las Vegas is known for gambling, shows and the night life. It also is known for huge and elaborate casinos with convention centers that bring in countless business travelers to attend shows and conventions.
- PRODUCTIVITY LOWERED BY BAD BEHAVIOR AT WORK, STUDY FINDS - The study, which surveyed adults ages 18 and over who are employed full or part time, examined how many workplace do's and don'ts are not always followed and how this affects workers' attitudes, their connectivity with colleagues and their work environment.
- CIFF SHANGHAI AND THE EAST DESIGN SHOW ASK THE QUESTION, DO WE STILL NEED A NEW CHAIR? - It has been said that a designer must design a chair in his or her lifetime.
- SPACESMITH COMPLETES HEADQUARTERS FOR GLOBAL FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY LEADER, MARKETAXESS, AT HUDSON YARDS - Reflecting the innovation and stature of MarketAxess, an international financial technology company, the 83,000-square-foot workplace in Manhattan supports a major rebranding for Spacesmith as it creates new, high performance workplaces designed for open communication, collaborative interaction and a launch pad for new product development.
- NEW REPORT FROM THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL SHOWS THAT CLIMATE ACTION REQUIRES PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST - The research suggests the simplest way to connect with others on the importance of the environment is to frame the conversation around people and the health, safety and well-being of their friends and families.
- ARTAIC TAKES OVER THE MOSAIC ART MARKET WITH BREAKTHROUGH ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGY - While travelling in Europe, Ted Acworth was charmed by ancient mosaic art he saw at museums and archaeological sites.
- PEACEFUL LIGHTING IMPROVES PATIENT OUTCOMES - New and old hospitals alike face the conundrum of providing equal access to light, observes David Navarrete, director of research initiatives for the manufacturer Sky Factory.
- SAMUELSON FURNITURE INTRODUCES FORWARD-THINKING HOSPITALITY PIECES - "We are focusing on fresh designs."
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
Business of Furniture - September 25, 2019
- VividBoard Fills a Communication Gap in The Healthcare Industry, Prepares for Relaunch - VividBoard, founded in 2002 and now owned by GMi Companies, based in Lebanon, Ohio.
- CANOPY Opens its Third Shared Workspace Location in San Francisco - CANOPY Financial District houses 32 private offices that accommodate anywhere from one to 10 people within a five-story building.
- A 7.2-Million-Square-Foot Seating Plant Rises in China - Many factories in China are unfairly portrayed as being behind the times, instead of working on solving the production issues. This couldn't be farther from the truth at UE.
- Herman Miller Beats 1st Quarter Earnings and Revenues Estimates - On an organic basis net sales and orders in the first quarter increased by 7.7% and 7.3%, respectively, compared to the same quarter last fiscal year.
- Steelcase Revenue Rose 14% in Latest Quarter - The first quarter of fiscal year 2020 ended with a net loss of $0.7 million or 5 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $3.2 million or 22 cents per share in the same quarter of last year.
- Stephen Says - "High Turnover and a Long Open Position: What does that Mean?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - SAP Österreich Offices – Vienna
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions, Including: Shaw Contract Introduces Joy Squared and Suited Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 18, 2019
- What We Learned from CIFF Shanghai 2019 - A growing part of CIFF Shanghai is the EAST Design Show. It features finely designed Asian products, mostly created by young designers. The design show was packed with young visitors, a hopeful sign for China's emerging design market.
- Boost Attraction and Retention Through Design Inspiration Catering to Gen Z - The workplace culture in the United States has shifted. While salary was the primary driver for past generations, today's workers want a workplace they enjoy.
- Configura Holds First CET Experience Conference in China - The event attracted 85 attendees — CET Designer users, Chinese manufacturers that have invested in the software and Configura leaders — to the Hangzhou Aocheng Kaihao Hotel in the city of Hangzhou.
- A Day in the Life of Office Designers Kara Treen and Jennifer Ballantyne - We interviewed two designers experienced in the field of office design. Designing an office requires a lot of planning, drawing and executing. We were interested in finding out what a typical day in the life of an office designer looks like.
- Inscape Posts Smaller Loss for Latest Quarter - The first quarter of fiscal year 2020 ended with a net loss of $0.7 million or 5 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $3.2 million or 22 cents per share in the same quarter of last year.
- Stephen Says - "Our Salesperson Used Our Showroom As A Party Space For Their Birthday!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Keep Failing! Why failing is the best way to learn and grow" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Herman Miller Showroom – Hefei, China
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions, Including: HBF Introduces Sleek, Flexible Morgan Chair / Narbutas Launches BOXI / Concertex Includes Sunbrella Contract Textiles in Fall Collection / Unika Vaev Introduces Abstracta Acoustical Collection
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 11, 2019
- CIFF Shanghai Opens Under Cloud of Tariffs and Talk of Trade Wars - No U.S. manufacturers tout a "Made in China" label on their office furniture products, but almost all of them have products and components that are made here. The office furniture industry in the U.S. and here in China are intimately tied together with Chinese suppliers and manufacturers connected to many of their counterparts across the Pacific.
- Designing for Designers: Dyer Brown Transforms its Own Headquarters - When not engaged in heads-down work, Dyer Brown's staff has choices for meetings, eating, relaxing and personal care.
- NeoCan't Event Provides Networking Opportunities and a Glimpse into the Future of Design - "The value of the event is the idea that you have limited space. Because of this, manufacturers whittle down their showcase to the best of the best."
- Herman Miller and Vitra Collaborate for the Limited-Run Eames Eucalyptus LTR Tables - The tables feature solid tops made from eucalyptus trees harvested from the Eames House property.
- Put A Smile On Your Feet – Floortex Solves Standing Desk Strain With New Line Of Tactile Mats - Two years ago, Floortex leveled up its offerings with a new line of AFS-TEX Active anti-fatigue mats. Today, the mats are the company's best sellers.
- Award-Winning Designer of Branded Environments Returns to Perkins and Will in Austin - A familiar face and known leader in the Branded Environments design discipline has returned to global architecture firm Perkins and Will to expand its services in the Southwest.
- Stephen Says - "There and Back Again: A Salesperson's Tale" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Edenred Offices – Barcelona, Spain
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions, Including: KI Launches New MyPlace Lounge Furniture Elements / Simplicity of Form: Roka from KFI Studios & Q Design
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - September, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: LE PAIN QUOTIDIEN, LONDON - Getting work done on the road isn't easy, especially in an extremely busy London train station. On a recent business trip between London and Amsterdam, I needed to work while waiting for my Eurostar train. Sometimes you have to grab work time when and where you can. In this instance, it was Le Pain Quotidien, a bakery-restaurant group founded in Brussels in 1990 that has grown worldwide.
- JUST PROGRAM MEASURES SOCIAL EQUITY - Corporate social responsibility has always been a slippery term. It looks great on a mission statement, but companies often lack a way to measure the impact of this belief. Enter JUST, a disclosure tool offered by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). The voluntary transparency program helps businesses disclose and optimize policies that improve social equity and enhance employee engagement.
- A NEW COWORKING SPACE IN MINNEAPOLIS IS PROVIDING A SAFE AND INSPIRING ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN, NON-BINARY AND TRANS PEOPLE - When people walk into The Coven, whether it's for the first time or every morning when they come to work, they finally feel like they can be themselves. "Whether you're dressed to the nines, you're in your workout clothes, you're experimenting with your personality, this is a safe and welcoming space," said Erinn Farrell, chief creative officer at The Coven. "We welcome all versions of yourselves."
- PRIVACY UNDONE: MY REVOLT AGAINST THE 'OPEN OFFICE ENLIGHTENMENT' - The open office project was doomed from the start, beginning with the misguided assumptions being made about the generic office worker.
- HAPPINESS IS IN THE HUDDLE — EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON WHAT PRIVACY MEANS IN THE OFFICE THESE DAYS - Is there a privacy crisis in the office? Not necessarily, according to some experts. And is privacy even the right word? Maybe not. "Just like the phrase open layout, and its variations, it's an old term," said Samu Hällfors, cofounder of Framery in Finland. "It doesn't necessarily encompass exactly what we mean all the time. Same with work privacy — yes, we need spaces to speak in private, but it's more about the need to concentrate or the need for personal space. So, privacy is sort of a narrow term."
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
Business of Furniture - September 4, 2019
- CIFF Shanghai Starts Sunday - CIFF expects more than 150,000 visitors from 200 regions and countries worldwide. The theme of this year's show is "A Paradigm for Global Living."
- AMDG Architects Creates a Beautiful Mess With New School Design - Students at South Christian High School in West Michigan are enjoying a new state-of-the-art school. Funded mostly by cash gifts from the community.
- The Dirt on Smed's New Business, Falk Built Technologies - At a time when most executives would hang it up and relax on a warm beach, Smed is back at it, once again creating a brand that is sure to cause a buzz in the industry and has infuriated the leadership of his former company.
- KFI Studios: Speed, Prices, Quality... and Now Design - KFI was a brand that had a few things going for it: It had speed, competitive prices and quality products. But it didn't have the design chops to get noticed by the office furniture industry.
- Benchmark Is Set to Launch the Sage Collection by David Rockwell - During this year's London Design Festival, British furniture brand Benchmark will be launching a new collection of office furniture by American architect David Rockwell.
- Stephen Says - "Can I Really Get Fired Over the Background of My Phone?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Let's Have a Meeting" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Barry Callebaut Offices & Chocolate Academy – Istanbul
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions, Including: ASTRAL by Groupe Lacasse - Modernity Without Compromise / Kay Chesterfield Announces "Workplace Pillows"
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 28, 2019
- Navigating the Political Waters of an Industry Rocked by Tariffs - One of the major benefits of sourcing these materials from China is the country's low price tag.
- ErgoExpo Turns 25 and Looks To the Future - Not as many manufacturers of height-adjustable desks were present as in previous years. An increase was seen, though, in the basic height-adjustable desks from Chinese manufacturers.
- Knoll Acquires Ecommerce Start-up Fully for $35 million - The acquisition of Fully represents a digitally native platform for Knoll, allowing the company to reach a new audience principally outside of its current distribution while simultaneously leveraging Fully's product portfolio.
- SKG Jumps More Than 1,700 Spots on the Inc. 5000 List - SKG's revenue grew more than 213% from 2015 through 2018. SKG reported 70 employees for the Inc. 5000 list.
- obo Celebrates Sale of Three Million Zody chairs - Obo, creator of holistically designed workplaces, and Haworth are celebrating the worldwide sale of three million Zodies.
- Stephen Says - "A Sales Manager Asks: Should My Salespeople Be Able To Work From Home?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - OCAD U CO Incubator Offices – Toronto
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions, Including: The Lodger Collection from Scandinavian Spaces / TURF Refines Collection of Carved Wall Tiles / Fritz Hansen Reintroduces the Planner Series
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 21, 2019
- Fellowes Expands Reach into Contract Market with Acquisition of Trendway - Fellowes Brands first expanded into contract furniture through its acquisition of ESI in November 2017.
- Juster Takes Kimball International into the Future with an Eye on its Rich History - In June, Kimball's board approved a transition plan that dovetails with Kimball International Connect.
- Simple and Sustainable, De Vorm is Molding Its Niche in the Office Furniture Market - De Vorm specializes in simplicity. Founded in 2005 by Jeroen ter Hoeven, De Vorm creates furniture described as Northern European — minimalist, contemporary and sustainable.
- IIDA Releases Latest Industry Economic Data in 2019 Index Report - First launched in 2018, the index provides contract design and architecture firms information about the market and competitive positioning plus it analyzes opportunities for new business.
- Finally! Fun for Fidgeters — It's Back to School Time With SIXINCH - SIXINCH North America creates bold and whimsical furniture for third spaces of all kinds.
- Former President Barack Obama to Keynote the 2019 Greenbuild Int'l Conference and Expo - Former President Barack Obama will be the keynote speaker at the 2019 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo.
- Stephen Says - "Make Sure LinkedIn Profile is an Asset not an Albatross Around Your Neck" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "The Art of the Follow-Up Question" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - OCAD U CO Incubator Offices – Toronto
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Union Wood Co. and ESI
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 14, 2019
- Customers are Finding they can Set Up an Efficient, Flexible Office Space with VARIDESK - VARIDESK made a name for itself selling desk risers directly to its impressive list of customers, but the real idea behind the Texas-based company's success is flexibility.
- Nienkämper Purchases All Ownership Interest From ICF - "Over the years, our partnership with Nienkämper has benefitted both our ICF furniture and Unika Vaev textile businesses," said James Kasschau, ICF Group president.
- Why Design is More than Pretty Pictures - The value of design exists in its ability to support two of the clients' most valuable resources: people and place.
- Landscape Forms Celebrates 50th Anniversary - Far from coasting into its golden anniversary, Landscape Forms is on a roll. July was the best month in the company's history, and its sales last year reached $118 million.
- KEM Studio Designs New Office for Port KC With a Nod to the Shipping Industry - If ever there was a magical idea to incorporate the grit of an industrial shipping port with the artistry of urbane interior design, KEM Studio nailed it.
- IIDA and KI Six-City Tour Highlights Discussions and Practices Related to Designing for Community - Community as Strategy is the focus of a series of discussions that will be hosted by IIDA and KI in six cities.
- HDR Acquires Hurley Palmer Flatt Group - HPF Group is headquartered in London and is the U.K.'s leading independent engineering consultancy, providing solutions for the built environment.
- Stephen Says - "Is it Strange that My Boss Invites Me to Lunch Once a Week?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - PayPal Offices – San Jose, California
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Encore, Brentano, Concertex, Indiana Furniture and Pallas Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 7, 2019
- July Furniture Survey Bounces Back - The July 2019 survey index of 58.90 is just slightly above the 58th survey average.
- Duracare Seating Strong in Senior Market - Furniture in the senior market needs to be sturdy, safe, stylish and easy to clean and move. Duracare Seating is all of those.
- Luum Textiles Collections Launched in Japan - Luum Textiles, in conjunction with Teknion Asia and dealer/partner Team Net, is going to make several of its collections available in the Japanese market.
- 'A Well Designed Life' Panel Examines How Design Affects Your Wellbeing and the Psychology of Aesthetics - Have you ever walked into a room and felt anxious, depressed or wanted to run out of it?
- Luum Debuts Future Tense Collection With a Nod to Social Tension - Luum, a subsidiary incubation of Teknion, was originally called Teknion Textiles until a re-brand three years ago, with Tick at the helm.
- New Capital One Workplace Survey Shows Employees Want Flexibility; Mental Health Support - Connections to nature in the workplace can improve well-being, according to the survey, yet few offices have them.
- Stephen Says - "I Work for a Manufacturer and I Hate Dealers! Does That Make Me a Bad Sales Rep?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "I Hate Sales! The One Phrase I Hear Most Often that Makes Me Smile" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Partners + Napier Offices – Rochester, New York
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Source International, Ghent, Narbutas, Foscarini, IOA, Whitney Brothers and Knightsbridge
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - August, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: DINER BETWEEN THE DAMS, CROTON, MICHIGAN - We used to talk about working vacations if that was somehow an anomaly; the rare occasion when we took a few days off and brought our laptops with us to work. Today, working vacations are the norm.
- WORKPLACE LIFE - A survey from CareerBuilder, a pioneer in talent acquisition media, technology and services, shows employees are split on how they feel about their current job.
- THE NEXT LEVEL OF EXECUTIVE OFFICES - Picture a stereotypical corner office. Especially in the movies, executive offices come in two flavors — traditional with wood paneling and dark leather or ultra-modern with chrome and glass. Both are always in a skyscraper with a million-dollar city view.
- HOW COWORKING CRACKED THE INDIAN MARKET - It began when Umang Sood decided he needed a nice place to work. As an investment banker, he'd been to some of the most dismal workplaces in India, where efficiency took precedence over employee well-being.
- CAPITAL ONE WORKPLACE SURVEY RESULTS - Work is hard and takes a toll on employees. That's why Capital One's Work Environment Survey shows that 87 percent of employees agree it's important that employers create spaces and programs to support mental health & wellbeing.
- COLOR TRENDS HAVE A COMPLEX LIFECYCLE AND THEIR ORIGIN MIGHT SURPRISE YOU - Color plays a huge role in the workplace. It influences our moods, our inspiration and our productivity.
- MUSIC AND THE WORKPLACE: HOW MUZAK, HEADPHONES AND NEUROSCIENTISTS AFFECT HOW YOU WORK - Despite Muzak Holding's convictions, Muzak lost its market momentum in the 1980s, and the unscientific methodology of its research was heavily criticized.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
- THE LINK HOTEL & HUB CATERS TO MODERN BUSINESS TRAVELLER; REDEFINES THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY - The LINK Hotel caters to the future of hospitality with the introduction of self-service technology and a dedicated hub offering coworking spaces, a kitchen, a bar and entertainment.
Business of Furniture - July 31, 2019
- INDEAL Welcomes Three New Supplier Partners to Program - INDEAL, which provides dealers with service to improve their sales process, is partnering with three new suppliers.
- Camira Group Acquires US Company Luna Textiles - The company's legacy comes from its founder, Anna Hernandez, who established Luna as an industry leader in the commercial textile field through her creative design portfolio, company credentials and memorable marketing techniques.
- HNI Office Furniture Sales Drop, but Reports 'Strong Momentum' Going Forward - The corporation expects full year organic sales to be up 1 to 4 percent.
- Knoll Reports Another Strong Quarter - The increase was driven primarily by investments the company made in expanding its range of height-adjustable tables and improved storage system offerings, as well as continued growth from DatesWeiser and Rockwell Unscripted.
- Video Games in the Office? 46 Percent of Creative Workers Want Them - New research from price comparison site MoneySuperMarket surveys the views of business owners and employees to find out what perks, facilities and styles are the most sought after in different industries.
- Humanscale Lays Off Workers; First Job Cuts at Company in a Decade - The company would not say exactly how many positions were cut, but the total is estimated to be somewhere between 60 and 100 workers.
- Blockchain in CRE: Expanding Beyond the Financial Applications - Cushman & Wakefield recently published a report on blockchain and bitcoin and their effects on real estate. In the report, the corporate real estate mogul shared that "global spending on blockchain technology totaled $945 million in 2017."
- Stephen Says - "Cursing in an Interview is Not OK" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Slack Headquarters – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from 9to5 Seating, Arcadia, Poltrona Frau, JSI and Maharam
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 24, 2019
- Kinsler Out as Trendway CEO; Bundy Back In - The company gave no details about Kinsler's abrupt departure, other than to say Trendway is "focused on growth and profitability."
- NYC Gets first LOOK at NeoCon Introductions - For the first time in New York City, the group welcomed Los Angeles-based ERG International and Tokyo-based Okamura.
- Hightower Follows NeoCon with New Design Made for Gathering - Hightower introduced its latest space-making design: The FourReal A, a slim, yet sturdy framed table design for multiple types of gatherings.
- With Swiftness and Accessibility, Poppin Enters the Privacy Pod Market with PoppinPod - The company debuted its off-shoot brand last month and it hits the pod market at a middle-ground price point.
- RightAngle Creates App that Controls Height-Adjustable Desk Using Siri - The app is available with all RightAngle's New Heights desks.
- Stephen Says - "Succession Planning Is Not the Problem in My Family Business; It's the People My Dad Hired I Can't Get To Go Away!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Keep Reaching for Your Dreams: How setting goals and taking action make dreams possible" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Vetsource Offices – Portland
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from National Office
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 17, 2019
- Concept Metals Group Acquires Freedom Manufacturing - The transaction will add 46 employees and one location to the veteran-owned Spring Lake, Michigan-based integrated metals group.
- Four Takeaways from the Residential Furniture Rent Model - As we look at the model of this residential furniture rental company, it becomes clear that many of its founding principles mirror the core recommendations presented by the Furniture Forum.
- Bentley Mills Came Clean at NeoCon Using Carpet and Laundry Machines to Deliver a Message About Design and Diversity - Los Angeles-based textile company Bentley Mills brings to NeoCon concepts that jolt visitors visually and philosophically — in a good way, of course.
- SONNEMAN—Officially Opens First NYC Showroom - A Way of Light has opened its new 7,000-square-foot showroom at the New York Design Center.
- Top US Architecture Firm Chooses Nureva Audio Conferencing Systems - The HDL300 system features full-room pickup and continuous autocalibration that automatically accommodates any room configuration.
- Building on LEED v4.1, USGBC Opens Call for Proposals to Solicit Input for the Future of LEED - Cities around the world are mitigating climate risks by pledging to raise the bar to reduce carbon emissions.
- Stephen Says - "Do Good Looking People Have It Easier in the Workplace: Yes of course they Do!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Wintrust Customer Contact Center – Rosemont, Illinois
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from SurfaceWorks, Quinette Gallay, OMT-Veyhl, iSiMAR, Unika Vaev and Waddell
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 10, 2019
- 2019 Magis Puppy Design Challenge - Seventeen local firms in Boston used their creativity to reimagine the Magis Puppy by Eero Aarnio in the Magis Puppy Design Challenge at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA).
- The Nowy Styl Group Opens New Office in Kraków - "We are an international company, we operate in many markets," said Adam Krzanowski, president of the Nowy Styl Group whose office is in the new space.
- Liz Ogbu Calls to Designers to Consider Civic Projects - Ogbu enjoys working on high-end commercial and private projects, but it's her passion for spatial justice that is the foundation of her most meaningful work.
- Tarkett Launches Interleave Modular Carpet — New Collection by Jhane Barnes Evokes the Peaceful Rhythms of Nature - With the gentle flow of sines in a variety of colors, Interleave takes a contemporary approach to incorporating natural, soothing visual elements.
- Stephen Says - "Unemployed? Email Your Future Boss Directly, Not Me!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Seventh Heaven" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- The Biz - "Crossing the Collaboration Divide" - by Kevin Budelmann, President of Peopledesign
- PLACES - Mac Properties Offices – Kansas City
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Safco, Nevers and TURF
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 3, 2019
- Designing Outdoor Spaces with Form and Function - Designing an outdoor space conducive to collaboration and productivity is beneficial only if employees physically want to use it.
- Landscape Forms Announces New Corporate Structure and Executive Management Team - The new strategic plan is consistent with Landscape Forms' history of internal evaluation and evolution to meet changing markets and capture new opportunities.
- MBH Architecture Plans on Tapping Into Denver's Growth and Development with the Opening of a New Regional Office - Retail and commercial development are MBH's specialty offerings, but it's also looking to expand into residential development in the Denver area.
- AIS Receives Four 2019 OFDA Dealers' Choice Awards - AIS recently received four 2019 OFDA Dealers' Choice Awards in the workstation, casegoods, seating and table categories.
- Herman Miller Hits Record Sales in Latest Quarter, More Strength Ahead - Herman Miller set a record net sales in the fourth quarter ending June 1 of $671 million, an increase of 8.6 percent from the same quarter the last fiscal year.
- Inscape Reports Fiscal Year 2019 Fourth Quarter Results - "We believe we have the right initiatives in place to achieve strong profitable growth."
- Stephen Says - "I Found My Coworker's Resume in the Office Printer: What Should I Do?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Sony Interactive Entertainment Offices – Toronto
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Allseating, Nevers and Brentano
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - July, 2019
- MORE PEOPLE ARE WORKING REMOTELY, AND IT'S TRANSFORMING OFFICE DESIGN - Working remotely is the new normal — and the increasing numbers of employees who work from home are, paradoxically, changing the nature of office design.
- WHERE I'M WORKING: HOLIDAY INN PARIS - NOTRE DAME IN THE LATIN QUARTER - I have been to France a few times for business, but never for pleasure. Although I have flown through Charles de Gaulle Airport on the way to somewhere else, I have never been able to spend any time visiting the City of Light. If you ever find yourself in Paris, or if you are close enough to jump on a train and spend a day or two there, do it and stay at the Holiday Inn at Notre Dame. You may just get a little work done while taking in the sights.
- CBRE PLANTS DEEP ROOTS IN THE CORE, ITS NEW AMSTERDAM HUB - Plants are everywhere, more than 900 of them throughout the space to give the open building a natural feel and to make the work-life connection for the staff, which is mostly young (the average age of a CBRE Amsterdam employee is 32 years old). The Core is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification for its sustainability efforts. Insights from CBRE's Healthy Offices research, which was conducted in collaboration with the University of Twente, were applied to create a healthy working environment.
- HIT THE ROOF - Need more space for employees but don't have room to expand? Head to the roof. Working outdoors allows employees to refresh and recharge without having to go offsite. But adding a relaxing patio or picnic area isn't always feasible, especially if your property is in a dense urban area or historic downtown. The only option is to go up. Here's a look at how some companies are transforming their roofs into an al fresco workspace.
- DESIGNING IN COMPLICATED TIMES: LIZ OGBU CALLS ON DESIGNERS TO CONSIDER CIVIC PROJECTS - A designer, urbanist, and social innovator, Ogbu is an expert on sustainable design and spatial innovation in challenged urban environments globally. She is founder and principal of Studio O, in San Francisco — a multidisciplinary innovation practice that uses the power of design to catalyze sustained social impact.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
- CIFF SHANGHAI BRINGS RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DESIGN TOGETHER - CIFF happens twice a year with the fall edition combining both commercial and residential in one massive show. As we have seen in recent years, and as was evident at the latest NeoCon, the lines between the office and home furnishings are continuing to blur. Combining both of these markets in one show helps us see what is offered and how these markets can work together.
Business of Furniture - June 26, 2019
- Steelcase and Anker Join Forces to Bring Mobile Power to the Workplace - Flex Mobile Power, the vision of the future from Steelcase, brings mobility to power so teams can work anywhere.
- Lectra Lays Out the Future of Cutting Rooms - Earlier this month furniture upholstery experts from around the world came to France to see the latest in cutting room solutions from Lectra. Some of the largest changes and challenges facing the upholstery market and the furniture market as a whole are the shifts to a want-it-now mindset.
- Trendway Makes Buying from them a 'Snap' - At a recent meeting of the company's leadership team when the Express program was being discussed, the conversation led to Trendway's latest idea to improve Snap, the customer experience and dealer program.
- Steelcase Reports Stronger First Quarter Sales, Profits, but Misses Wall Street Targets - Steelcase sales increased 9 percent in the first quarter compared to the prior year, or 6 percent on an organic basis, reflecting growth across all segments.
- CIFF Shanghai Sets Stage for Blend of Residential, Office - CIFF Shanghai combines both office and residential furniture in a massive show with more than 1,500 exhibitors.
- Stephen Says - "My Kid Just Graduated From College. What's Next? Where is that First Job and What Will it Pay?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Increase Your Productivity" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- Industry Thinking - "Is The Swivel Office Chair an Endangered Species?" - by Mike Dunlap
- PLACES - Hayball Studio – Sydney
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Coalesse, MergeWorks and HBF
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 19, 2019
- NeoCon Highlighted Different Strategies, New Ideas - A definite move toward simplicity was seen at NeoCon this year. Products that are easy to use, self adjust and forgo the usual design frippery were everywhere.
- What We Liked (and a Few Things We didn't) at NeoCon 2019 - Steelcase sure knows how to think about every little detail before launching a product. The company's Flex system is a good example.
- Ligne Roset Hosts a Design Dialogue with IIDA, HOK Leadership - Julia Monk and Tom Polucci, two HOK senior principals, discussed industry challenges and global design insights with an audience of more than 85 architects and designers.
- BIFMA Launches Conformance Program; Provides Year in Review at Annual Breakfast - The industry learned more details about a new conformance program to help specifiers separate true commercial furnishing from the imposters at the BIFMA annual meeting.
- NeoConfused? You Are Not Alone - Over the past few years, the rise in ancillary furniture forced new thinking, ranging from wildly different product offerings to new business and distribution models.
- Moving Beyond the Foundation of Furniture, NeoCon Showcases New Ideas and Products to Cover and Accessorize Commercial Furnishings and Design - Designtex previewed a selection of textiles from its new line, The Bauhaus Project.
- Industry Loses Rising Star: Shannon Bloch 1993-2019 - Dr. Shannon Bloch, who died far too early on June 4, was a columnist for this publication and wrote a wonderful collection of articles about how to help us keep healthy at work.
- Stephen Says - "Should a Dealer Sales Manager be Selling Accounts? No!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Eddyfi Offices – Quebec City
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Inscape, OM, KI and FLOS
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 12, 2019
- NeoCon Starts Strong, Despite Herman Miller's Decision to Leave theMART - Herman Miller is leaving theMART after 51 years as an anchor and about 80 years total in the building. The company is leaving for 1100 W. Fulton St. in Chicago's Fulton Market neighborhood, a year after Knoll did the same.
- Maars Headquarters, Factory is Out of This World - Since entering the North American market a few short years ago, Maars has made a name for itself by creating demountable walls of the highest quality and design.
- Bureau Enters Contract Furniture Category With Millennial-Focused Offering - Run by three millennials from varied real estate backgrounds, Bureau was developed to simplify the process of furnishing offices for small occupiers, from specification, to delivery and setup, to haul away.
- HLW's Los Angeles Studio Honored at SoCal IIDA Calibre Design Awards - HLW, has been honored with a 2019 Calibre Design Award by the International Interior Design Association Southern California Chapter (IIDA SoCal) for its work for Procore Technologies.
- Steelcase Announces New Relationship with Moooi in North America - Steelcase will offer designs from Moooi and Moooi Carpets to customers throughout North America.
- BIFMA to Launch Branded Conformance Program in 2020 - "This conformance program has been developed to respond to a market need for more clarity."
- Wilkhahn and Teknion to Collaborate on Seating - Wilkhahn will be able to target the ranges at more customers on the North American continent. Teknion also will be able to use them to strengthen its portfolio.
- Stephen Says - "NeoCon Is Almost Over: Fire Them, You Know You Want To" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - AstraZeneca Offices – Macclesfield
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Allseating, Inscape, HON, Dekko, LINAK, KI, LOGICDATA, HPFi and KnollTextiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - NeoCon Special 2019
- COME BELLOW WITH US - Meet with the team behind The Business of Furniture and Workplaces Magazine. NeoCon 2019 - Seventh Floor; Booth: 7-5111
- FLOOR PLANS - Find your way around NeoCon this year.
- THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST PRODUCTS DEBUTING DURING NEOCON - The editors of The Business of Furniture have looked high and low to bring you what we believe are the biggest introductions being presented this year at NeoCon.
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WELCOME TO NEOCON 2019 -
The commercial interiors industry is a friendly fraternity and no where is that more clear than at NeoCon. Yes, we come to Chicago each year for new products, new ideas and new business, but we also come for the friendships we have cultivated over the years. If you agree with my premise, than you can't help but like NeoCon.
If you don't like NeoCon, you're simply not doing it right.
I get it. It is a lot of work. We are away from our families, our friends and our routines. We are living and working out of hotel rooms. We are eating food we don't normally eat and speaking with a lot more people than we normally interact with. It can be tiring.
But NeoCon is our industry's chance to shine. It is the one show where we explain to the world why this industry matters. For many of you readers, Chicago is also the place where your ideas are presented to the world. You are giving rise to creativity and innovation. Let me be the first to thank you. Without you, there would be no NeoCon.
Thanks to fine folks at theMART as well. The team of 14 people that work to fill the showrooms and temporary floor for NeoCon do a stellar job to help this industry shine. They often get the blame when elevator lines are long, but rarely get the praise they deserve for putting on a truly world-class event for 55,000 visitors. - BELLOW PRESS WISHES YOU SAFE TRAVELS TO CHICAGO - We'll see you at the show - VISIT US - 7th Floor, Booth 5111
Business of Furniture - June 5, 2019
- Herman Miller Group Presents All Together Now - At NeoCon 2019, Herman Miller will present All Together Now, an exhibition exploring the expanding design possibilities of Herman Miller Group's global family of brands.
- Ready or Not, NeoCon is Next Week - There's going to be a lot for you to see. Try to look for innovation and ask specifically for it. Challenge manufacturers who tell you they have innovative new products. Business of Furniture will be at the show in force, covering every aspect of it for you, from keynotes to trends to new products.
- CBRE Furniture Forum Sparks Launch of Two Industry Disruptors - Nearly two years ago commercial real estate company CBRE embarked on a yearlong journey to uncomplicate the process behind furniture buying. The question was simple: What can we do better?
- PeopleSpace Might be Model for Dealer of the Future - PeopleSpace began changing the model by placing the customer experience at the center of its new operations. It also implemented a technology-based process and dedicated project teams to streamline and integrate short- and long-term planning, design and purchasing.
- BoF's Saturday NeoCon Preview Special - Look for it on Saturday, June 8, as we preview all of the new products and solutions you'll see at NeoCon this year!
- Stephen Says - "Stephen, Can You Clarify 'Glassdoor'?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Balyasny Asset Management Offices – Chicago
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Alea, Acoufelt and Kirei
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 4, 2019 - CIFF Special Edition
- THE 44TH CHINA INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR SHANGHAI - September 8-11, 2019 - Young, and with a strong desire to grow, able to provide large spaces: the National Exhibition & Convention Centre in Hongqiao is the world's largest exhibition complex. The opportunities provided by the availability of this enormous space has made it possible to host all the sectors for the furnishing industry and develop unique events which every year enchants visitors wishing to discover the potential of the quality Chinese product, the value of emerging designers and the new market trends. With the theme of "A Paradigm for Global Living", the next edition of CIFF Shanghai will attract over 1,500 exhibitors and more than 140,000 professional operators are expected from more than 200 countries and regions.
- WELCOME TO CHINA INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR! - Founded in 1998, CIFF (Guangzhou/Shanghai) has been successfully held for 43 sessions and creates the world's most preferred one-stop trading platform for product launch, domestic sales and export trade in the furnishing industry.
- CHINA IS DEFINITELY A CRUCIAL MARKET - China is increasingly more open to trade and to collaboration agreements, particularly with Europe and the United States. An unusual market, certainly complex, but fascinating and unique, where companies grow very quickly and where consumer taste and choices increase at the same rate as consumer purchasing power. Today more than ever before, CIFF and its exhibitors are ready for a new phase, no longer marked simply by price, but by factors related to the service.
- BETTER LIFE BETTER WORK - Better Life Better Work is not a slogan or a mantra, but rather a leitmotiv affirmed and pursued by CIFF. In effect, people, and people alone, are in the spotlight. People formed by needs, people who must be stimulated, but who are capable of great and fabulous things. This explains the attentiveness in terms of choosing decor that is high-performance and beautiful, but that can also furnish and allow people to live well. Quality furniture incorporating high-level ergonomics and comfort, together with colors and finishing details, and that therefore infuses life with style.
Workplaces Magazine - June, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: PASSENGER SEAT, 2019 MINI COOPER COUNTRYMAN - There's working "while" on the road and then there is working "on" the road — literally working while you are a passenger in a car. I found myself in that situation recently after attending a funeral in Port Huron, Michigan, a city about three hours from my home in Grand Rapids.
- STUDY SHOWS CULTURE MATTERS AT WORK - Speakap's latest study, "The Culture Factor: Improving Employee Loyalty & Relationships," found nearly 60 percent of the employees it surveyed would take a job at another company in exchange for a better company culture. The objective of the study was to understand elements impacting perception of culture within organizations, how companies communicate culture and change, and the impacts on employee satisfaction and retention.
- NOURISH EMPLOYEE INTERACTION WITH SNACK STATIONS - Looking for new ways to encourage your employees to mingle? Food-based amenities that go beyond free coffee and vending machines may be the answer. The resimercial trend of adding homey touches around the office is also placing new emphasis on kitchens and break rooms. You don't have to provide full catering to satisfy your workforce — a dedicated snack station can boost employee morale and spark new connections.
- HLW CREATES 'THE WORKSHOP' AS ITS LONDON HUB - Global architecture, interiors and design firm HLW has built a different kind of workshop in the heart of London that holds onto the historical vision of a space where work, collaboration and "tools" are used, but without all the grease and grime. Its London hub, The Workshop at Lonsdale Square between Angel and Islington, is a marvel of adaptive space reuse and a hive of energy and creativity.
- PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS FOR NEOCON 2019 - A first look at some of the major new products that will be introduced during NeoCon 2019 in Chicago this month. When you hear the word "NeoCon," it might not mean anything to you other than a shortened version of "neoconservative." But to those in the office interiors industry, it has a whole different meaning. It is the industry's major event, held in Chicago each June at the Merchandise Mart, and it is a place where many new products that will change the way you work are introduced.
- THE COMMERCIAL DESIGN INDUSTRY IS CHANGING. WHY CAN'T THE STAFFING PROCESS TOO? - Job posting is an outdated process. The resume needs improving. Interviews must be more efficient. Whether you're searching for a job or recruiting talent, the process is changing at every level. Traditional strategies are evolving with technology, and brand building — among job seekers and employers — is more important than ever. These insights are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to staffing these days, according to Bryan Lake, associate partner with Sales Consultants of Grand Rapids in West Michigan.
Business of Furniture - May 29, 2019
- NeoCon Extends Outdoors: Unveils Experiential Outdoor Environment, The NeoCon Plaza - Designed by Gensler Chicago and brought to life in collaboration with Forward Fruit Branded Environments.
- Versati Debuts as Best Portable Bars' Newest Product - The bars are ideal for any place that hosts big or small events and need the aesthetics of a fresh, sleek, professional looking bar.
- ASID + DIFFA Join Forces on Design Impacts Life Fund - The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has donated $375,000 to Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) to create the new Design Impacts Life Fund.
- Are Cubicles Coming Back? Design Trends from CDW in London - Privacy continues to be addressed by furniture makers around the world, and the onslaught of pods continues, some with smartly designed twists.
- ASID Releases 1st Quarter Interior Design Billings Index Report - The six month outlook shows stronger business conditions are expected. Survey results showed interior design firms ended the first quarter on a level not seen in the previous 12 months.
- Stephen Says - "Is NeoCon A Trade Show for New Product? Or Has It Turned Into a Job Fair For My Sales People?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Alternative technology client, Silicon Valley, California
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from BDI, Morbern and Creoworks
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 22, 2019
- ICFF, NYCxDesign Take Over the Most Important Furniture Market in the World - The show hosts 900 exhibitors from across the globe who showcase the newest frontier of "what's best and what's next for luxury interior design."
- BoF Exclusive: An Interview with Herman Miller President and CEO Andi Owen - Owen spent most of her first nine months meeting with employees and customers around the world. She became a student of the industry, immersing herself in research. She also resettled her family in Grand Rapids.
- Friend or Foe? Why the Future of Design Depends on Strengthened Relationships Between Designers and Dealers - The sheer number of manufacturers each dealer works with is growing.
- MADA / OFI Trends Survey for April 2019 - Across-the-board declines occurred in all 10 index values of the furniture industry measured by the April 2019 Quarterly MADA/OFI Trends Survey conducted by Michael A. Dunlap & Associates, LLC.
- Lockers Should Not Be An Afterthought: How One Company's Attention to Detail is Dominating the Industry - Travis Hollman has become an expert in transforming what's basically a box into a meaningful object people sometimes pay $10,000 or more for.
- Clerkenwell Opens - While few outside London knew Clerkenwell in its early years, it has grown to one of the most interesting events in Europe, with increasingly more visitors and exhibitors coming from North America.
- Steelcase's Dabbs Tells GVSU World Trade Conference that Design Thinking Can Transform a Company - Dabbs was the keynote speaker at the conference, which was held in partnership with the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
- Stephen Says - "Trade Show Etiquette 101 for Reps and Execs" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "The One Thing You Can Count On" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Patreon Offices – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from HON, Luum Textiles, Quinette Gallay and Crossville
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 15, 2019
- 5th Element Design Founded by Former KI Exec - Shawn Green has worked for some of the largest office furniture makers in marketing and design since 1991, most recently as vice president of design and product marketing for KI. Along the way he's learned a few things about what makes the industry tick. He also has learned what products sell.
- NeoCon Launch Planned for Hightower's New Showroom - Hightower has expanded its North American showrooms by 3,500 square feet at Chicago's theMART. An official opening is planned for June 10-12 during NeoCon.
- NeoCon News - Indiana Furniture has entered a new strategic partnership with Edge Design, a UK-based company.
- Munson Business Interiors Ushers in New Generation, From Mother to Daughter - MBI is primarily a Kimball dealer with about 30 employees and sits around $12 million. Munson is preparing to retire, ushering in her daughter Elly Faulkner to take over.
- ICFF, NYCxDesign Starts Next Week in the Big Apple - As contract has turned decidedly residential in recent years, ICFF has more than doubled in the past three editions and become more international in composition.
- DIRTT Announces First Quarter 2019 Results - 6.9 percent first quarter revenue growth was largely driven by increased penetration into the healthcare market.
- Meadows Workflow, a Project Management Solution Designed Specifically for Contract Furniture Dealerships - With Meadows Workflow, projects stay on track, documentation is enhanced, margins are improved, and client expectations are exceeded.
- Stephen Says - "First Impressions are Important: But What Criteria Should I Use to Judge?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- From the Editor - Important Content Returning to Business of Furniture
- PLACES - Gensler Offices – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from ergoCentric, Wilkhahn, Springboard, Arcadia, NanaWall, G&S Acoustics and Designtex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 8, 2019
- AIS Donates Nearly $700,000 in Furniture to Make-A-Wish - AIS hopes that having a newly furnished office space will enhance the organization's mission to provide life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.
- Technology and Information without Context is Nearly Useless - Teknion is not only working on the technology of today, but also gathering knowledge about the technology of tomorrow.
- Krenke Named KI CEO; Resch Remains as Executive Chairman and Chairmain of the Board - Krenke will take over for Dick Resch, who has served as KI CEO since 1983 and is a 55-year veteran of the company. Krenke joined KI in 1991 as a sales engineer and has held various senior leadership roles at the company, including serving as the company's president since 2010.
- Pre-NeoCon Walkthrough: Expect Expanded Show and More of "The Mart Shuffle" - If you expect NeoCon to experience a post-50th anniversary hangover, think again. The building is going through the annual "Merchandise Mart Shuffle" as old showrooms change hands, existing showrooms are expanded and nearly all of them are getting spruced up.
- Muzo's New Stash Line is Music to Students' Ears - Music inspires Muzo's team members. They take the emotion and passion from music and put it into their designs and the relationships they build with customers.
- Kimball Reports 3rd Quarter 2019 Results - Orders received during the quarter increased 16 percent from the prior year, including a 2 percent contribution from our David Edward acquisition in 2018.
- Stephen Says - "How Do I Hire the Best People for the New "Resimercial" Market?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "We All Have a Story" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- Workplace Wellness - "Migraines Affecting Your Productivity at Work? You're Not Alone" - by Shannon Bloch
- PLACES - Shaw Create Centre Offices – Cartersville
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Boss Design, Dekko, Encore, OFGO and Narbutas
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - May, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: SPENDID HOTEL & SPA, HOAN KIEM DISTRICT, HANOI, VIETNAM - My computer was open in the small breakfast room of the Splendid Hotel & Spa in Hanoi, Vietnam, but I was distracted by the warm breeze coming through the open window and the views of Hoàn Kiem Lake in the heart of the city.
- NEW RESEARCH SHOWS THAT FLEXIBLE WORKING IS NOW A TOP CONSIDERATION IN THE WAR FOR TALENT - Research conducted by IWG, a flexible workspace provider, shows 80 percent of workers in the U.S. would choose a job offering flexible working over a job that didn't offer it, and 30 percent of people value being able to choose their work location over an increase in vacation time.
- STAYING ACTIVE IN THE WORKPLACE: A LOOK AT HOW IT HAPPENS - Staying active in the workplace depends a lot on the workplace itself. If you happen to be an NBA referee, for example, staying active probably isn’t that difficult. Activity depends a lot on the job you do and the “office” you work in, no matter how non-traditional.
- THE THREE COMPONENTS OF SUCCESSFULLY USING HUMOR IN THE WORKPLACE - Fifty-two percent of Americans are unsatisfied with their jobs and more than three-quarters say they would relocate if it meant better vibes at work. What most people don’t realize is using humor in workplace is an individual choice you make every single day. You are responsible for your own job satisfaction. And if you choose humor, you will be more productive, less stressed and happier.
- REIMAGINE YOUR LOBBY - Lobby design goes beyond specific furniture or lighting. It is the cumulative effect conveyed by finishes, colors, branded elements and even art. First impression and last impression — lobbies are the gatekeeper of your company image.
- A WHIMSICAL AND HEALTHY RENOVATION AT SIGHTBOX HEADQUARTERS - A design with a more holistic integrated approach, with the end-user experience in mind, was what inspired her to move her career into designing healthy and sustainable facilities.
- SHAW CREATE CENTRE SETS NEW STANDARD FOR WORKPLACE DESIGN - With a focus on current and future employees, plus clients and industry partners, the Create Centre boasts a concept strategically designed with productivity and well-being in mind.
- DEALING WITH ANGER IN THE WORKPLACE - We've all had bad days in the workplace. After all, we're only human. Whether it's frustration on a project with fellow team members, a client or career advancement, feelings of anger can emerge. How each employee and management handles these emotions is critical to every individual's and organization's long-term success.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
- CIFF CONTINUES TO INCREASE IN SIZE AND RELEVANCE - In the contract furniture industry a few shows stand out in scope and importance. Each requires the industry to take notice, each fits in its own niche, and each is important for the industry, albeit for different reasons. Manufacturers such as Merryfair, UE Chairs, USENA and Sunon are only a few of the manufacturers showing at CIFF who produce comfortable, high quality, originally designed and affordable task chairs. These chairs would be welcomed into any office around the globe. (By the way, Merryfair is showing at NeoCon this year).
Business of Furniture - May 1, 2019
- Teknion Talks Technology - Companies have dabbled in creating tech forward products, but most tend to be agnostic toward computers, screens and apps, arguing it doesn't make sense to try to keep up with the breakneck pace of change.
- Pair Finds Balance Among the Extremes in the Complex World of Design - The company is a venture of premier Steelcase dealer One Workplace, and offers designers flexible and unique alternatives to standard office furnishings.
- ROOM Releases New Edition of Flagship Office Phone Booth - Among the product's new features is a motion sensor that automatically turns on and off the LED light and ventilation fans when someone enters or exits the booth.
- Gibson Celebrates Opening of New Big Apple Showroom - Gibson Interior Products raised the bar for reps last week in New York with the opening of its impressive 11,500-square-foot showroom in the NoMad neighborhood, named for being North of Madison Square Garden.
- Interface Reports First Quarter 2019 Results - First quarter net sales were $298 million, up 24 percent versus $241 million in the prior year period. Organic sales were up 2 percent year-over-year.
- Knoll Reports Strong Start to 2019 - Net sales for the Office segment were $202.2 million during the first quarter of 2019, an increase of $17.1 million, or 9.2 percent compared to the first quarter of 2018.
- Meadows Workflow, a Project Management Solution Designed Specifically for Contract Furniture Dealerships - With Meadows Workflow, projects stay on track, documentation is enhanced, margins are improved, and client expectations are exceeded.
- Stephen Says - "What's the Deal with Co-Presidents?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- The Biz - "Let's Make a Deal" - by Kevin Budelmann, President of Peopledesign
- PLACES - Narrative Science Offices – Chicago
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Arcadia, Audience Systems and Claridge
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 24, 2019
- INDEAL Holds Champion Conference in San Antonio - INDEAL began as a purchasing organization that added value to both non-aligned and aligned office furniture dealers and suppliers in the office furniture industry. It has grown and morphed into the industry's premier, de facto dealer organization.
- Steelcase Roam, Flex Designed to let Workers Hack Space - Steelcase and Microsoft revealed their new products last week at the Steelcase WorkLife Center in New York City.
- Blackburn Furniture Moves Forward with New Generation Ownership and Forward Thinking Design - Located in Bellingham, Washington, Blackburn started out in 1945 as a typewriter and office machine store.
- Vitra Introduces New Chair by Antonio Citterio - Grand Relax is a luxurious reclining lounge chair from Vitra combining outstanding comfort with compact dimensions and a classic understated aesthetic.
- Salone Shines Spotlight on Innovative International Design - The 386,236 attendees over the six days from 181 different countries made for a 12 percent increase over the 2017 edition, which also featured Euroluce and Workplace3.0.
- HNI Corporation Reports Sales Fell 5.1 Percent in First Quarter Fiscal Year 2019 - First quarter office furniture net sales decreased $27.4 million or 7.2 percent from the prior year quarter to $353.5 million.
- Environments for Aging Expo & Conference Held in Salt Lake City - The Environments for Aging Expo & Conference offered the latest strategies and ideas for creating functional and attractive living environments for an aging population.
- Stephen Says - "Boss and Mentor Fired: Do I Follow Her to New Job?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "What Do You Sell?" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Bespokify Offices – Da Nang
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Global and Ghent
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 17, 2019
- Pack Up the Lat File, Pick Up a Pouf: Lessons from Salone that Apply to Our Industry - Salone isn't a single show held at the Rho fairgrounds, though that remains a big part of the design week in Milan. It also includes Fuorisalone, the "other" fair taking place throughout the city at the same time.
- Tangram Studio to Become Independent Entity Named Studio Other, as Nationwide Growth Continues - Since 1996, Studio Other has built a reputation as a premier creator of innovative custom furnishings for a wide range of commercial interiors.
- Cynthia Milota Joins Ware Malcomb and is Focusing on Moments that Matter - Milota, who is based out of Ware Malcomb's Oak Brook, Illinois, office, said face-to-face experiences are in high demand, even for an increasingly mobile workforce.
- From Toys to Task Chairs, Humanscale's David Wong Sees Similarities - David Wong, who spent 18 years at toy maker Fisher-Price, believes both industries need products where safety comes first, robust engineering is important and building in design features is critical.
- Design Holdings Makes Salone del Mobile Debut with Huge Stand - Last week Design Holding, the new furniture and lighting group made up of B&B Italia, Flos and Louis Poulsen, marked its first show at Salone del Mobile by presenting the biggest stand the Milan fair has seen in decades.
- Stephen Says - "Political Blues: Partisan Views Make Coworkers See Red" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Workplace Wellness - "Why Your Office Job Can Literally be a Pain in Your Back" - by Shannon Bloch
- PLACES - Hinshaw & Culbertson Offices – Chicago
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Ultrafabrics, ICF and Artaic
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 10, 2019
- AIS Announces Sales Reach $200 Million in 2018 - The company in 2018 also added nearly 20 people to the sales department, including new vice presidents, territory managers and sales team members who work across North America.
- INDEAL Launches Expansive Training Program: INDEAL U - The spark for INDEAL U came a couple years ago when founders Dave Gatherum and Dave Bloch started to have a dialog with dealers in the network.
- KEM STUDIO and MASHstudios Debut New Furniture for Focus - What is it that really distracts people at work in an open environment? Is it the noise? The awkward close proximity to coworkers? The lack of privacy?
- Knoll Ready With its Own Not NeoCon - The new Chicago showroom will host "Knoll Design Days," June 10-12, the same time, but not the same place as NeoCon.
- Bene Achieved Major Growth in Sales and Earnings in 2018 - In a very competitive global environment, the Bene Group prevailed in the past financial year in numerous international deals and could increase its sales to 151.4 million euros.
- Are You Ready for the Cloud? - This year 2020 has deployed the 2020 Content Downloader, a solution that allows customers to acquire all available manufacturers in a single download.
- Meadows Workflow, a Project Management Solution Designed Specifically for Contract Furniture Dealerships - With Meadows Workflow, projects stay on track, documentation is enhanced, margins are improved, and client expectations are exceeded.
- Configura Chairman Sune Rydqvist Leaves Behind Legacy of Innovation - As co-founder and co-owner of Configura, Rydqvist had many different roles, but the company's development, culture and growth were always at the center.
- Stephen Says - "Stephen: What's Your Opinion on Employees Participating in the Interview Process?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "It's Time to Color Outside the Lines" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Novo Nordisk Offices – Mississauga
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Global, Boss Design, ICF and Arc-Com
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 3, 2019
- CIFF in Guangzhou Bigger, Better Than Ever - The Asian manufacturers are following Western trends in office design more rapidly. The four-day fair in Guangzhou, China, was expecting 200,000 visitors, including 30,000 foreign attendees. Based on the massive crowds the first day of the event, that might be an underestimation of the actual throng that arrived.
- Trend-Setting Salone Set to Start in Milan - Where NeoCon and Orgatec are about business and building relationships, Salone is the artist of the family, more focused on big picture concepts and ideas. Showing furniture that might actually sell? Who cares?
- WRK Lab Debuts as South Florida's Premiere Herman Miller Dealer - Garcia and his business partner Doug Fisher bought Workscapes' Miami office in January and rebranded it as WRK Lab. The new owners are aiming to create a different experience for clients when they walk into WRK Lab's showroom. Lots of touches and feels, with some VR technology experiences, too.
- Studio TK's Cesto Receives Green Good Design Award - Studio TK's Cesto collection of interactive seating and table elements have earned a 2019 Green Good Design Award.
- Stephen Says - "Unemployed and Over 50? No Problem!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Workplace Wellness - "Designing the Ideal Home Office" - by Shannon Bloch
- PLACES - Mapbox Offices – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Coalesse, Kirei, JSI and 9to5 Seating
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - April, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: J.CO DONUTS & COFFEE, HONG KONG - Space is at a premium in Hong Kong, to say the least. I've stayed in hotel rooms in the city where there literally is enough room for a single suitcase and the queen-sized bed. That's it. So when you get a little room here to spread out and work, it is welcome, to say the least.
- STUDY FINDS TEXTING REPLACES VOICEMAILS IN THE OFFICE - Much like the telephone transformed the way people communicated, texting is rewriting rules and creating its own etiquette as the communication method of choice for the modern age.
- WHAT DOES 'ACTIVE' REALLY MEAN IN THE WORKPLACE - Defining what makes a workplace "active" is nearly as difficult as defining work itself. The squishy concept means different things to different people. We can begin to get to a definition if we start by outlining the term "active workplace" in general terms and figuring out what it is not.
- STRESS AND ANXIETY LEAD TO BAD DECISIONS, AVOID THIS BY RELYING ON YOUR TEAM - The symptoms of burnout include medically diagnosed stress, anxiety, bad decisions, isolation and self-reported fatigue that have been studied extensively.
- CREATE QUIET ZONES WITH FURNITURE - The open office has become both a symbol of workplace progressivism and scornful disdain.
- AGEISM IS PREVALENT IN THE WORKPLACE, BUT ONE GROUP HAS A SURPRISING ADVANTAGE - According to a recent analysis conducted by ProPublica and the Urban Institute, employment becomes increasingly precarious as workers age.
- HEALTHY INTERNAL CULTURE: A TOOL FOR SOCIAL AND MORAL INCENTIVES - The idea of integrating fitness into the workplace is not a new concept. The image of the cubicle-oriented office is shifting, and what we're seeing is likely just the beginning of systemic change.
- UPDATING OUR WORK ENVIRONMENTS MEANS OUR SAFETY TRAINING TECHNIQUES - As we see the infusion of residential living spaces into the workplace, it seems the lessons learned regarding ergonomics from years past are being ignored.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
- WHO WAS MILTON MOSKOWITZ AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? - Moskowitz is the co-creator of the list "Best Places to Work." According to his obituary in the New York Times, he and his colleague, Robert Levering, spent more than a year traveling the country and interviewing hundreds of workers in dozens of cities to compile their results in the 1984 bestselling book "The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America."
Business of Furniture - March 27, 2019
- CIFF Starts Tomorrow in Guangzhou - The show also has become a design event, which may come as a surprise to visitors who think China "borrows" designs and does not come up with its own.
- The Little Unicorn That Could - SpringHaus is Nudging Northern Colorado Toward a Little More Sparkle - The Northern Colorado commercial design market is interesting, leaning more toward function and being less focused on design trends.
- Brexit is (Could Be?) Days Away: How British Office Furniture Makers will be Affected - Markets hate uncertainty. And the fear of the unknown certainly has been hard on Britain's office furniture makers.
- Configura Holds Partner Meeting in Grand Rapids - Before the attendees gathered for breakout sessions on how to make Configura better, the company's leadership team outlined where the company is today and where it wants to be in the future.
- Magis is Proud to Be at the Table with STUDIOS Architecture and Herman Miller - Seating from Magis was selected by STUDIOS Architecture and Herman Miller Collection for its installation at Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids Dining By Design event.
- Financial News - Herman Miller Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2019 Sales Rose 7 Percent / DIRTT Announces 2018 Annual Results
- Stephen Says - "Unblock Your Calls or Get Blocked from the Job" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Let's Get Social" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - McDonald's Headquarters – Chicago
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from HBF Textiles, Narbutas, KFI and Brentano
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 20, 2019
- The Private Office is Not Dead, But it is Evolving - Is the private office on its way out? Who still wants and needs them?
- Dewey Collection Next to Hit Market - The Dewey product line, first introduced under Fixtures Furniture by izzy+, is back and now available through SurfaceWorks.
- The Gensler Institute Finds an Intersection of Factors Makes a Great Workplace - Mostly open environments deliver best on performance and experience, the rising scores driven by high levels of choice, variety and balance.
- NYC Rep Ken Gibson Leaves Design Center for New Showroom - Gibson specializes in smartly designed furniture and ancillary products.
- Meadows Workflow - Designed with the dealership in mind, Meadows Workflow makes it simple to access project files from anywhere, assign tasks and monitor completion status.
- Steelcase Reports Strong Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2019 Results - Revenue increased 18 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the prior year, or 15 percent on an organic basis, reflecting double-digit growth across all segments driven by strong project business from large customers.
- Stephen Says - "What Do You Do When a Top Producer Quits?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Workplace Wellness - "How to Identify the Warning Signs of a Workplace Injury" - by Shannon Bloch
- PLACES - Total Media Offices – London
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from H Contract, Hightower, Unika Vaev, Keilhauer, Carnegie and LEVEL 4
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 14, 2019 - CIFF Special Edition
- THE 43RD CHINA INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE FAIR GUANGZHOU - Phase Two: March 28-31, 2019 - Without a doubt, excitement and innovation are the key words of the next edition of CIFF Guangzhou, whose constant commitment offers a global platform that best launches exhibitors' innovations, taking great care to welcome sector professionals, including the growing number of foreigners among them.
- THE OFFICE SHOW - The CIFF Office Show, that covers 220,000 sqm in Area A, Area B and Area E of the China Import & Export Fair Complex, is dedicated to office furniture and seating, hotel furnishings, metal furniture, furnishings for public spaces and waiting areas, as well as accessories, materials, and machinery for the furniture industry, comprehensively addressing the theme of the Smart Office and establishing the sector devoted to furniture for healthcare facilities and seniors.
- THE SMART OFFICE MAKES WORK MORE ENJOYABLE - In China, the constant expansion of work environments, the consequent growth of the internal market for office furniture, and the development of corporate culture by managers and employees are provoking profound reflection on what future work methods and environments should be like. How can work be made more enjoyable and engaging? What kind of environment can make workers more productive? Why are some company employees more likely to work overtime? What kind of company is appreciated and desirable? The CIFF Office Show 2019 intends to answer all of these questions, helping to outline environments where the possibility of working comfortably and happily is no longer just a dream.
- LEADING COMPANIES AND NEW BRANDS - The CIFF Office Show is the most prominent business platform and the largest office furniture fair in Asia, serving as the true benchmark in the sector in China, bringing together leading companies and new brands and attracting professionals from all the major world markets. The 43rd CIFF Guangzhou - Office Show will host leading office furniture manufacturers; companies such as Sunon, Victory, Haitian, Quama, Zhongrui, Jongtay, Tiantan, Saosen, Kinwai, Liming, Merryfair, Kuoching, UE, Bosen, Boyi, Allbest, Lijiang, Hongsheng, Hongji, Erqing, Huabao, and Dechang will present new concepts and systems for the workplace; other brands, like Merryfair, Kuoching, UE, Bosen, Boyi, and Allbest will offer ergonomic and comfortable seating with an attractive design.
Business of Furniture - March 13, 2019
- Poppin Debuts Redesigned Showroom - Poppin's newly redesigned New York City headquarters embodies the brands evolution, demonstrating its maturation from start-up office furnishings and solution purveyor to a dedicated one-stop-shop and resource for brand's of all sizes and scales.
- Furniture Advocates Takes Brand Agnostic Approach to Selling Furniture in NY - It is neither an office furniture dealership, nor an independent rep group.
- Mike Wagner Leaving Kimball to Pursue 'Entrepreneurial Adventure' - While Kimball searches to fill Wagner's position, Don Van Winkle, president and chief operating officer, will be the interim president of the Kimball brand.
- Varidesk Adds Two New Desks to its Education Line - The Sit-Stand SchoolDesk, equipped with a patent-pending air piston-assisted lift, lets students raise and lower their desks to fit their ideal height.
- Versteel Keeps Moving Forward Under Leadership of President Scott Schwinghammer - Before there was Versteel — which is located in Jasper, Indiana — there was Ditto Sales Incorporated, a furniture manufacturer rep company Schwinghammer and his father ran together until his father died in 1976.
- Q&A: Inside the Munich Coalesse Design Studio - Design is a democratic and empathic process with an ongoing exchange.
- Stephen Says - "Porn Has No Place in the Workplace" - by Stephen Viscusi
- The Biz - "Furniture as Technology" - by Kevin Budelmann, President of Peopledesign
- PLACES - Element AI Offices – Montreal
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from HBF, ICF, Vioski, Encore and Wilkhahn
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 6, 2019
- Knoll Shift Toward Lifestyle Outlined in Investor Presentation, Annual Report - Maximizing the sales growth and profitability of its office segment — Knoll's largest segment — has been a continuing priority, the report noted.
- MG West Transitions to Preferred Haworth Dealer and Aims to Develop a New Global Vibe - MG West started out 110 years ago as a safe and bank vault company founded by Monroe George West.
- Smart Offices: Be Aware of the Risks - Today, it seems no complicated operations need to be planned to gain access to company-sensitive information.
- Steelcase Defends Connected Office from 20,000 Unsuccessful Attacks in Single Month - Does Steelcase communicate with customers about possible threats of IoT solutions in furniture?
- Inscape Unveils New Toronto Showroom - Inscape has opened its flagship showroom and Engagement Centre in the heart of Toronto's Financial district.
- Inscape Sales Climb 29% in Latest Quarter - Sales of the base business (excluding sales from an exited business unit) increased by 29% for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to the prior year.
- Stephen Says - "Interviewing While Pregnant? Why Not?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Ditch Your Pitch, Tell Your Story" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Willis Towers Watson Offices – London
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Designtex, National Office, Global, Brentano and Coalesse
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - March, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: THE TEA LOUNGE, BRISTOL MARRIOTT ROYAL HOTEL - Most hotels don't make it easy for you to work. It's their job to give you a comfortable room, not a comfortable work environment. So when you find one that actually seems to care about the business traveler, it is worth noting and celebrating.
- NEARLY 15 PERCENT OF JOB SEEKERS USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO LAND A NEW JOB - Some social media platforms, including Facebook, are launching their own recruiting platforms for businesses. Recruiters can gather job applications, conduct interviews and even extend offers without leaving the platform. Online job boards have effectively replaced traditional job postings in newspapers.
- HOW THE RIGHT PRODUCTS AND SIMPLE ROUTINES CAN KEEP US ACTIVE IN OUR WORKSPACE - The modern workplace is a study in tensions. The majority of white collar workplaces require employees to be indoors, seated, and engaging with a laptop, desktop, or tablet for much of the day. The result is arguably an era of unprecedented “productivity,” but one that denies or diminishes the attendant health costs of a sedentary and all but immobile workforce.
- GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGNING INNOVATION SPACE - The contemporary manifestation of the quintessential “garage” spaces of early Silicon Valley lore means some early stage businesses or project divisions of larger organizations need to work in flexible and cost-effective settings where work activities are heavily focused on early stage development, proof-of-concept testing or prototyping. Organizational innovation doesn't always happen at breakthrough scale. It can often happen in small, incremental steps embedded in everyday workflow. A growing number of organizations adopt agile workflow methodologies in which tasks are divided into smaller work sprints and where teams are sometimes reorganized to align with workflow changes.
- EISNERAMPER AND FRANCIS CAUFFMAN ARCHITECTS TRANSFORM A HEADS-DOWN OFFICE INTO A COLLABORATIVE ONE - The FCA team kept its focus on an overall design to enable success in EisnerAmper's culture shift, with collaboration at the forefront. In an industry where most heads are down and focused on their screens, EisnerAmper — a full-service advisory and accounting firm — wanted a culture shift in its San Francisco headquarters office, so it hired Francis Cauffman Architects (FCA) to design a new office to facilitate rigorous collaboration within the company.
- 6 TIPS FOR COWORKING FURNITURE - Coworking spaces shouldn't copy the same design as corporate settings. Uncomfortable furniture is a creativity killer in coworking spaces. Members are looking for a work environment that will spark their productivity. No one wants to tolerate furniture that causes aches and pains. Here are six tips to specify furnishings that are ergonomic and functional.
- THE OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY TURNS 90 AND IS CELEBRATING BY APPEALING FOR A COLLECTION OF WORDS AND PHRASES USED AT WORK - The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is celebrating 90 years since the completion of its first edition. As part of this celebration, it has put out an appeal for various words related to things such as regions in the U.S., youth slang, hobbies and words at work.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
Business of Furniture - February 27, 2019
- Davis Furniture Celebrates 75 Years in Business - New ideas and innovative products have steadily propelled Davis Furniture forward for more than seven decades, and the same family has been behind that energy from its inception.
- Office Section of iSalone to be Spread Throughout Show - Workplace3.0 is a biennial celebration of the best office furniture from around the world. Where does work end and home begin? It is an important question for the office furniture industry, which is responding to more and more inquiries about how to make the workplace feel like home.
- ASID Releases 2019 Outlook and State of Interior Design Report - The report begins with an overview of key issues in the U.S. economy, including content necessary to navigate through uncertainties expected to impact both businesses and individuals from 2019 onward.
- Sedia Systems Expanding Global Reach - Sedia Systems is building on its success in North America by expanding its presence and distribution globally.
- BIFMA Sustainability Standard Strengthened - The standard was developed with NSF International and has been recognized for its vision and market penetration over the last decade.
- Stephen Says - "Manufacturer Struggles Over Age-Old Question: Independent Reps or Direct Salesforce" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Workplace Wellness - "How To Create Healthy and Effective Habits in the Workplace" - by Shannon Bloch
- PLACES - EarthCam Offices – Upper Saddle River
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Office Blueprint, Davis, Keilhauer, Unika Vaev and TURF
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 20, 2019
- A Benchmark for Success: HON's New Height-Adjustable Element Brings its Empower Collection to a New Level - The height-adjustability is compatible with HON's unique wire management system that routes power neatly beneath the surface through troughs and vertebra casing.
- Bandon Boondoggle Anything But - Without getting into all the details, it is a three-day golf outing organized by Eaton and held at the beginning of February with 20 industry friends at one of the best golf resorts in the country, if not the world, Bandon Dunes.
- InsideSource Goal to Become Global Office Furniture Dealer - The furniture world is rapidly changing, and the world needs a dealership that can bring together an industry that is tightly structured domestically, but fragmented when it comes to dealing with international customers.
- BOS Holdings Announces Addition of Florida Business Interiors – Tampa Bay - The newest addition to BOS Holdings is Florida Business Interiors (FBI), in Tampa Bay, Florida.
- Workers Prioritize Work-Life Flexibility Over the Latest Office Design Trends — But Employers Aren't Keeping Up - Flexibility is not the only thing workers want their employers to offer when it comes to work-life integration.
- Captivating Conversations Underscore NeoCon's Role as a Thought Leader in Design - NeoCon has added an extra day of programming with presentations this year beginning on Sunday, June 9.
- Stephen Says - "SOMEONE WON'T CONNECT ON LinkedIn? YES, IT IS PERSONAL!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "What Your Clients Care About — In Case You've Forgotten" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Two Sigma Collision Lab Offices – New York City
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Allsteel, Designtex / Coalesse Design Studio, Maharam, Pallas Textiles and Regency
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 13, 2019
- Candace Nelson is Taking Intereum to a New Level, and There's no Reason to be Scared - Nelson studied interior design and has 23 years of experience in the contract furnishings industry, beginning her career as a Herman Miller dealer salesperson for facility systems.
- Interior Office Solutions Adds Haworth as an Investor, Rebrands as PeopleSpace - Amplified by its affiliation with Haworth, the new entity will encompass all of IOS' existing business lines.
- Camira Unveils New Partnership with Jens Risom Design - The original fabrics were designed and produced by Jens Risom in the 1960s to complement the pioneering modern furniture designs for which he is widely renowned.
- The ROOM One debuts as a high-quality, Low-priced Sound Booth – Make Room for Solutions and Happiness - As with any new invention, ROOM's flagship product, the ROOM One soundproof phone booth, had its initial challenges, but excellence was worth the wait.
- Knoll Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results - Net sales for the Office segment were $212.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of $1.9 million, or 0.9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2017.
- Stephen Says - "Can I Really Get Fired Over the Background of My Phone?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- The Biz - "Second Cities" - by Kevin Budelmann, President of Peopledesign
- PLACES - BPX Energy Offices – Denver
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Fritz Hansen, HBF, ICF, Studio TK and Luum Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 6, 2019
- BIFMA 360˚ Leadership Conference Succeeds Because of its Mix of Speakers, Attendees - It continues to be one of the best industry events of the year.
- Economist Lays Out Forecast for BIFMA 360 Attendees - The economy is also experiencing quantitative tightening, a reversal of the quantitative easing that brought us out of the last recession.
- Kimball Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2019 Results - Revenue growth of 13%, or 11% on an organic basis, led by double-digit growth in commercial, healthcare, and hospitality verticals.
- 10 Tips for Creating High-Quality Interior Renderings - Using some rendering best practices will ensure your renderings "wow" your clients and effectively communicate your vision.
- KiSP Launches KITS collaborator XRPro Edition - KiSP believes in a core product and services philosophy where customers should experience a significant innovation component in each of its products.
- Camira Inspires Fresh Wonder and New Insights with 2019/2020 Trend Report, 'Why not...' - Camira's Trend Report for 2019/2020 provides fresh insight into the colors, textures and aesthetics the company's product designers predict will hold sway in the coming year.
- Stephen Says - "Yes Topcat68@aol.com, Your Email Address is Making You Look Like an Idiot" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Workplace Wellness - "How To Prevent Repetitive Stress Injuries At The Office" - by Shannon Bloch
- PLACES - Mintel Singapore Offices – Singapore
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Artopex, Fritz Hansen, Obex and Maharam
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - February, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: WORKSHOP 17, CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA - Think coworking is just for the expected major markets? Think again. Today I'm working in a hip coworking space in a less-than-expected location: Cape Town, South Africa.
- FLEXJOBS SURVEY FINDS OLDER WORKERS MORE LIKELY TO FREELANCE THAN MILLENNIALS - Based on this survey, the profile of the average worker who freelances as their sole source of income is a female Gen Xer working in the writing, marketing, editing and creative career fields, primarily for small companies and individuals, juggling two to three gigs at a time.
- THE FUTURE OF COWORKING - Blueprint Collaborative is an industry specific coworking space for construction, real estate, and design professionals. We sat down and talked with the founder and president, Brent Gibson, to get the inside scoop on the history of Blueprint and future of workspace design.
- BRITISH ENERGY COMPANY TURNS TO NOOK TO REDUCE FORMAL MEETING SPACES - When one of the largest energy companies in the world contacted Nook founder David O'Coimin to install some of his products in the company's massive campus outside of London, O'Coimin jumped at the chance.
- COWORKING FINDS NEW NICHE HOMES - Coworking is projected to grow globally to 5.1 million members in 2022, according to studies conducted by Small Business Labs.
- CO-CREATING WITH CUSTOMERS - Companies that operate in B2C markets have adopted a variety of spatial typologies to engage with customers and end users to develop products and a range of value chain solutions.
- NOISE PERSISTS AS TOP COWORKING DISTRACTION - Coworking spaces come in all sizes and types, but there's one common thread among them all: etiquette offenses. One would assume that adults — especially entrepreneurial adults, independent and responsible enough to work unsupervised and remotely — would know how to behave in a shared working environment. Yet, certain unruly behaviors persist in coworking spaces.
- A SPOTLIGHT ON ACOUSTIC LIGHTING - Noise and poor lighting are two of the most pervasive problems in the workplace. Both issues can drive workers to distraction on a daily basis.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
- PAWTERNITY, NAP ROOMS, INTERNATIONAL RETREATS...THESE ARE THE EXOTIC NEW PERKS COMPANIES WILL BE OFFERING TO LURE CANDIDATES - Businesses are realizing if they want to keep employees, they have to offer people something they can use right now.
- FENG SHUI TIPS TO IMPROVE WORKPLACE - We spend so much time at our desk and in our office, it's important it is optimized for productivity and creativity.
Business of Furniture - January 30, 2019
- Enwork Introduces its Most Comprehensive Product Collection Yet - At Enwork, product development begins with a deep understanding of the customer and how their spaces are used.
- Florence Knoll Bassett, Design Pioneer and Guiding Light of Knoll, Dies at 101 - It is hard to imagine the office furniture industry without Florence Knoll Bassett.
- January Furniture Survey Improves Again - The survey showed the most frequently cited perceived threats to the industry's success are tariffs, travel, transportation and logistics costs.
- Integra Seating Expands Headquarters Which Includes New Showroom - Integra is a designer and manufacturer of high-quality lounge/soft seating and tables for the health care and education industries, specializing in high-volume use settings.
- 2019 BIFMA Leadership Conference - The annual conference kicked off Monday in Scottsdale, Ariz. with two fascinating keynote speakers and the annual "speed dining" event to get the group of 200 or so industry executives mingling.
- Egan Visual Acquires Exact Furniture - Exact will continue to serve customers through its nationwide network of Pro AV Integrators.
- Rainlight Storms Ahead in its First Year of Business - Led by Susan Grossinger and Yorgo Lykouria, Rainlight enters 2019 in a strong position by making products that enhance the way people live and work.
- Stephen Says - "When is it Time to Sell Your Company to a Private Equity Firm, and How do You go about doing it?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Experience Doesn't Matter" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- PLACES - MatchesFashion.com Offices – London
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Kimball, Maharam, Bush Business Furniture, HBF, Scandinavian Spaces, Unika Vaev and Claridge
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 23, 2019
- INDEAL Launches Major Rebranding - INDEAL has launched a major rebranding initiative reflective of the company's evolution into an all-encompassing, full-service solutions provider for dealers in the commercial interiors industry.
- The Suddath Companies Acquires Perdue - "Clients can expect to experience the best of both companies – a total solution for all of the planning, furniture and moving needs a business has when contemplating re-engineering or relocating its workplace."
- Steelcase Bets Big on Hyderabad - The company is going to invest more in Hyderabad, putting more people and products in this market in the coming years.
- Loctek Debuts Smart Components - Marketed in the U.S. as FlexiSpot, the company offers various versions of standing desk converters, full standing desks, desk bikes and workstation accessories.
- The Making of a Nook: A Tour of the Company's Bristol Manufacturing - Nook creates an oasis for office workers increasingly besieged by noise and distraction and becomes a quick meeting destination for workers who don't want or need a formal conference room.
- Overcommunication Helps Create Head-Turning Office Space - The 127-year-old, fifth-generation-owned concrete company reached a milestone last year when it brought six departments together under one roof for the first time in its history.
- Stephen Says - "My Annual Review doesn't Get Me the Raise and Promotion I Want. WHY?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Steelhead Productions Offices – Playa Vista
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Allsteel and Kartell
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 16, 2019
- ASID Sponsors Inaugural DesignWell Conference - The event theme is wellness architecture—how nature, materials, and design come together to benefit humans within the built environment.
- Unika Vaev Announces Partnership with De Ploeg - Unika Vaev has announced their new partnership as the exclusive North American Distributor of the upholstery collection of European Textile Manufacturer, De Ploeg.
- One Workplace Launches New Commercial Interior Construction Company - Vantis begins operation with about $33 million of business that has been assigned by the dealership.
- INDEAL Evolves Beyond Buying Group to Serve the Dealer Community - The growth of INDEAL comes from a vacuum in the industry. INDEAL has morphed from a buying group, which is all about return on investment, to an organization focused on the plight of the dealer, where the dealer is going to be and what the dealer needs to do.
- New Standing Desk Comes with a View - Using a glass surface did raise some questions about safety at first, but in the end it was the perfect view.
- 5 Nightingale Products Win Prestigious Good Design Awards - 'Good Design' is the oldest and most prestigious design awards program in North America.
- Stephen Says - "Why Do Manager's Over-Think Hiring Salespeople?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Stop Networking, Start Connecting" - by Sid Meadows, Founder and Principal of embark cct
- The Biz - "Next Wave Furniture Innovation" - by Kevin Budelmann, President of Peopledesign
- Workplace Wellness - 4 Stretches You Should Be Sharing with Customers Who Have Desk Jobs
- PLACES - Innovative Commercial Environments Offices and Showroom – San Diego
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Allseating and HBF Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 9, 2019
- USM Reflects its Versatility and Personality with Showroom Relaunch - USM, renowned Swiss manufacturer of modular furniture, has totally revamped its Clerkenwell showroom to create a modern, natural and compelling space to reflect the company's beauty, versatility and history.
- 'The Mother of All Demos' and Herman Miller's Role in Computing History Celebrated in Silicon Valley - The 50th anniversary of the event was celebrated recently in Silicon Valley, London and Tokyo. In the 1960s, Herman Miller was developing furniture for a new kind of office. Employing a cadre of psychologists, architects, designers and other specialists, the company had been closely examining the infrastructure and spaces needed by the modern office worker.
- How to Do Business in Turkey Amid Swirl of Politics; Crushing Economics - Navigating through the political and economic quicksand in Turkey isn't easy, and a quick scan of the news proves the point. The headlines coming out of Turkey, though better than a year ago, don't create confidence in the country's economic stability. Imagine being an office furniture maker operating in such an economy.
- Humanscale Showcases User-Centric IT Solutions at CES, Including New M/Connect 3 - So, how does an office furniture maker fit into the world of technology?
- Stephen Says - "A Free Business Plan on an Interview? Yes or No?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Design Theory - "Today's Library is Tomorrow's Workplace" - by Elliot Felix
- PLACES - Newmark Knight Frank Offices – Minneapolis
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Ghent and Chief
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 2, 2019
- Herman Miller Posts Single Digit Revenue Increase for the Latest Quarter - "Strong demand was a clear highlight of our results as we finished the quarter setting all-time records for quarterly net sales and order levels for our Company."
- Mobile Car Care Debuts in the Workplace - Zippity's clients include about 50 large companies and hundreds of smaller ones, adding up to about 55,000 individual customers.
- Award-winning Attitude Lands Designer in the Spotlight - Gilbert Olds is an interior designer with Alfred Williams & Company in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was nominated for the award by his peers at work.
- CIFF Prepares for Your March Arrival in Guangzhou - This year CIFF will be promoted with a single image integrating the content of the entire furniture industry supply chain represented at CIFF. The trade in office furniture between the two countries is very much alive and growing as evidenced by the number of North American buyers who head half way around the world for the massive event that takes place in two phases.
- Nienkämper Honored with Four Prestigious 2018 GOOD DESIGN Awards - Nienkämper has been recognized with the 2018 Good Design Award for four products from its table and seating collections.
- Stephen Says - "How To Deal With A Newly Unemployed Friend When You Are Still Working" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Developmentk - "New Year, New Heights" - by Sid Meadows, founder and principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Mitie Offices – London
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from JSI and Indiana Furniture
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 19 & 26, 2018
- ICF Mood Tube Chair Wins Award - ICF's Mood Tube chair has won the German Design Award Special Mention for Excellence in Product Design.
- U.S. Hiring Intentions at 12 Year High as Demand for Workers is Set to Grow in 2019 - The competition for skilled talent is set to rise in the first quarter of 2019. All 13 industry sectors forecast optimistic hiring plans with the strongest hiring outlook in transportation and utilities as consumer expectations for on-demand delivery grows.
- Hurricane Topples School; KI Furniture Holds Up the Roof - In October, Hurricane Michael, the strongest storm on record to hit the Florida Panhandle, mostly destroyed Robert F. Munroe Day School, in the Panhandle city of Quincy.
- Coalesse Turns 10 and Continues to Turn Heads - Coalesse still lives by its founding belief it can be internationally relevant by creating great, live-work spaces and partnering with world-class designers.
- 3form Gym and Clinic Reduce Healthcare Costs; Change Lives - As health care costs continue to be a major issue for Americans, many are left asking themselves how to improve the country's health care system and its economic toll on families.
- Steelcase Reports Double Digit Sales Gain for Third Quarter - The Americas posted 16 percent revenue growth, or 12 percent on an organic basis, driven by strong project business from both large and small customers.
- Stephen Says - "We Are a Medium Manufacture: How Do I Keep From Losing My Employees to the Big Guys?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Productivity - "What Time of Day Are We Most Productive At Work?" - by Shannon Bloch
- PLACES - KCI Group Headquarters – Kaohsiung
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from ESI, Wilkhahn, Scandinavian Spaces, KFI and Poliform
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 12, 2018
- Groupe Lacasse Acquires Via Seating to Further Expand its Presence in the U.S. - This acquisition is of strategic importance for both companies to share expertise and manufacturing capability and supports Groupe Lacasse's growth strategy in the commercial seating market segment. Both parties will use their collective talents and knowledge on a larger scale to grow at a faster pace.
- Designtex and Crypton Team Up to Celebrate 25 years of Design and Innovation - In celebration of Crypton's 25th anniversary and its foundational partnership with Designtex, the two innovators have teamed up to introduce a special collection that pays homage to art, design, technology, performance and two pioneering leaders in the contract textile industry.
- Assmann Invests in Frem - Assmann is in the progress of expanding its product portfolio to keep up with the changes in the world of office furniture.
- 'Help, I Broke My Space!' Kirei Keeps Things Quiet - Kirei is focused completely on architectural products and not interested in going in the furniture direction (i.e. BuzziSpace).
- BSE Global Scores with New Industry City Headquarters Designed by TPG Architecture - When you enter the new headquarters of BSE Global, formerly Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, the energetic buzz of the space is practically tangible.
- Stephen Says - "Viscusi's New Guide for Hiring and Retaining the Best Talent" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Developmentk - "Summon Your Courage! It's Time to Change Your Life" - by Sid Meadows, founder and principal of embark cct
- PLACES - SHP Offices – Cincinnati
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Allseating, Global and JSI
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 5, 2018
- Baker Manufacturing Company to be Sold - Baker Manufacturing Company, which distributes and manufactures its height-adjustable furniture products under the JRB Studio brand, has announced its shareholders have decided to sell the company.
- Design Thinking Helps Make Sense of a Complex World - Design thinking has long been a major theme in the office furniture world because creating work environments is essentially about shaping experiences. After graduating from MIT, Ela Ben-Ur went to work for the renowned innovation firm IDEO, helping companies design products. These days, she is teaching the ways design thinking can apply to people's lives — whether planning a graduation, a conference or a curriculum.
- Claridge Adds to the 'MIX' - Over the last few years, while maintaining its reputation for quality and service, Claridge added beautiful design to its new products with the help of Qdesign. The embrace of design is a huge move for Claridge, which is a family owned business.
- ASID 3rd Quarter 2018 Interior Design Billings Index 'subpar'; Future Looks Brighter - Third quarter billings remain "sub-par," but inquiries are picking up, according to the index. The good news is the six-month outlook shows stronger business conditions are expected.
- Seattle Dealer Founder, Rep Craig Haskell Dies at 76 - Amy Haskell (daughter), Megan Gasperetti (granddaughter), along with Piper Dickens (longtime colleague and friend) are carrying on his legacy at The Haskell Group.
- ASID Shares Research Findings as Part of Impact of Design Series - Located on Alfred DuPont's 300-acre estate, the hospital is set amid a beautiful, parklike setting of oaks and green lawns.
- Stephen Says - "You're Cursing At Work? Are you F&@#$ng Kidding Me?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - JPMorgan Chase Regional Headquarters – Plano
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Teknion, BDI, Unika Vaev and Wolf-Gordon
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - December, 2018 & January, 2019
- WHERE I'M WORKING: CHOO CHOO GRILL, GRAND RAPIDS - The Choo Choo Grill definitely bucks the trend found in major metro areas around the country where some restaurants are doing double duty as coworking spaces during the day before switching to serve diners at night.
- WORKSPACE OF THE FUTURE - The way business gets done is changing — the pace of technological innovation coupled with societal change is redefining enterprise technologies, architecture and processes. By 2020, 50 percent of the total Global workforce will be millennials; 40 percent of information will be stored or processed by cloud computing; and IoT will lead to more than 20 billion connected devices globally.
- WHY YOUR WORKPLACE NEEDS A WALKING PATH - One of most accessible and cost-effective forms of exercise to incorporate into the workplace is walking. Inactivity spanning our professional and personal lives is a leading culprit of many preventable health conditions. Embracing workplace wellness has benefits beyond lower insurance premiums though, such as fostering collaboration, creativity, and productivity.
- AGILE WORKFLOW INNOVATION AND THE SPACE THAT SUPPORTS IT - The word "agile" is heavily used in the practice of workplace design. Sometimes it's interchangeably used with terms like "flexible" and "mobile." Architects and designers use these words in their discussions around how to create workspace that responds to continuously shifting business needs.
- A GUIDE TO WORKING FROM HOME - If it seems like more people are working from home, it's because they are. Thanks to telecommuting technology and research from experts like Cornell University's Nicholas Bloom, companies are becoming more lax about location requirements. One of the best parts about working from home is the opportunity to create a comfortable and motivational workspace. But with great power comes great responsibility.
- CANCER DOESN'T MEAN THE END OF EMPLOYMENT - Working after a cancer diagnosis has a wide range of challenges. From choosing whether or not to disclose it to working out accommodations with an employer or experiencing discrimination, the fear of being treated differently is real and causes a lot of stress. According to statistics Cancer + Careers compiled through its research, 1.68 million people in the U.S are diagnosed with cancer each year. There are 15.5 million survivors currently, and with the advancement of technology and medicine, that number will continue to grow.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
- CIFF RE-INVENTED FOR 2019 - Once primarily for Chinese professionals, the platform has come to include a growing number of international attendees and buyers. Out of CIFF's 200,000 visitors and professionals, 30,000 come from outside of China, which is more than any other Chinese fair or show. The very best in Chinese design and quality and the most sought after products will be on display.
Business of Furniture - November 28, 2018
- Arconas Wins 2018 Mississauga Board of Trade International Trade Award - The award honors a business in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, for its dedication in pursuing and exporting to global markets and providing diversification, revenues and jobs within the Mississauga economy.
- Wayfair Professional is Coming to a Bid Near You - It is a place Wayfair is happy to be and a segment of the business that is exploding with growth. Wayfair has grown from $380 million in sales in 2010 to $4.7 billion in 2017. Even though a relatively small portion of that comes from office furniture sales, it is growing.
- Newly Appointed Kimball International CEO Kristie Juster Speaks to Process Change in the Industry - Juster said her path to return from her professional break was a choice she didn’t take lightly. Juster served more than 23 years at Newell Brands, working in several business units and under the guidance of seven different CEOs during her tenure.
- PlasProtect Makes Sure Your Furniture Arrives in One Piece - PlasProtect has invested in the tooling for the plastic corner protectors, and since it is the company’s focus, it is able to spread the cost over the long term.
- Stephen Says - "Birthday Fundraiser on Facebook? Cut it Out. We are Sick of it." - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Developmentk - "Start Your Goal Setting Process by Asking These 3 Questions" - by Sid Meadows, founder and principal of embark cct
- Ergonomics - "Ergonomic Considerations for Older vs. Younger Generations in the Workplace" - by Shannon Bloch
- PLACES - The Center for Research Interdisciplinarity (CRI) Offices – Paris
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Designtex, Arc-Com, Carnegie and Ligne Roset
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 21, 2018
- Inscape Opens Washington, DC Showroom - Located on the eleventh floor at 1090 Vermont Avenue NW, the showroom is flooded with natural light offering views of the historic downtown.
- EDspaces Shows Off Latest in Educational Design - EDspaces, a conference about the future of learning environments, got bigger and better this year. More than 60 CEU sessions, interactive classroom designs, tours, new products and a number of informative presentations were featured at the conference.
- Steelcase Educates Greenbuild Attendees on Emotional Wellbeing at Work - Workplace stress costs the economy a staggering $300 billion a year. Just 11 percent of workers are engaged in their jobs. Both are reasons why creating a physically healthy workplace is incredibly important.
- BDNY Show Focused on Hospitality - Boutique Design New York (BDNY) is an annual trade fair that covers what's happening now in hospitality and leisure design.
- Greenbuild: Does Anyone from the Industry Care? - Did the office furniture industry abandon Greenbuild or did Greenbuild abandon the industry?
- Powerful Presentation Tools From 2020 You Can Use to Showcase Your Designs - Whether you're pitching to a client or getting ready for a talk, the key to a successful presentation largely depends on its creativity and its ability to keep your audience engaged.
- Stephen Says - "Who Gets Co-Workers Gifts Anymore?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- The Biz - "The Landscape of Furniture and Workn" - by Kevin Budelmann, President of Peopledesign
- PLACES - Rios Clementi Hale Studios Offices – Los Angeles
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Coalesse, Arc-Com and Shaw Contract
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 14, 2018
- UPFRONT: SurfaceWorks Opens Additional Manufacturing Facility: Penny table first out of the gate - SurfaceWorks, a manufacturer of tables for the contract furniture industry, plans to open a second manufacturing location in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
- October Furniture Survey Remains Solid - The most frequently cited perceived threats to the industry's success are tariffs, transportation and logistics costs, steel prices, and general material costs.
- BIFMA Prepares for 360 Conference (and So Should You) - The 200 or so attendees of the annual 2019 BIFMA Leadership Conference scheduled this for Jan. 28-30 in Scottsdale, Ariz. have come to expect an exceptional programming.
- Humanscale's Jane Abernethy Wins Women in Sustainability Leadership Award - Abernethy has won the 2018 Women in Sustainability Leadership Award (WSLA), which was established to encourage awareness, advancement and support for women in sustainability leadership. The award comes on the heels of Humanscale announcing Abernethy's promotion in September.
- SKG Among Austin's Fastest-Growing Private Companies - SKG is competing in a market filled with fast growing companies. Many of those companies in Austin are customers of SKG, which reported an annual average growth of more than 34 percent from 2015 to 2017.
- Stephen Says - "My Coworker Stinks! Literally and Figuratively. What Can I Do About It?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "What do You Need to do to be Successful?" - by Sid Meadows, founder and principal of embark cct
- PLACES - Landsec Offices – London
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Allseating, Scandinavian Spaces, IOA, RightAngle and National
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 7, 2018
- Configura's 11th CET Designer User and Developer Conference Draws Global Audience - This year's annual Configura Designer User and Developer conference saw record-breaking attendance, drawing 527 people from various industries and around the globe to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in October.
- A Conversation with Designer and Artist Jaime Hayon - If you want to get into the head of artist and designer Jaime Hayon, follow his Instagram feed. It is an explosion of colors he finds during a travel schedule that would make Phileas Fogg tired.
- CBRE Responds to Demand for Coworking with New Flexible Office Solution Launching in 2019 - Despite rapid growth over the past decade of the coworking sector, many have still dismissed the concept as a fad.
- Office Revolution Expands into Columbus - Office Revolution, the largest Teknion dealer in the Midwest, is expanding into Columbus, Ohio. Teknion has been Office Revolution's marquis brand since the dealership was founded in 2001.
- State of Massachusetts Selects AIS as a Manufacturer of the Year - AIS — with nearly 800 employees — is the largest employer and manufacturer in the city of Leominster, Massachusetts.
- JLL Liquid Lab to Include Haworth, Humanscale - The lab will enable established corporates and new companies to develop and test products that solve the work space problems many organizations face — whether it's managing occupancy levels or providing comfortable furniture.
- Stephen Says - "Concerned About the Entertainment Expense Budget The Boss Will Pay For? You Should be!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Financière des Professionnels Offices – Laval, Canada
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Springboard, Boss Design, Arc-Com and National Office
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - November, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING: HILTON COLOGNE, GERMANY - It was a horrible stay. Overpriced and with spotty service and amenities, the Hilton Cologne has a lot to work on when it comes to business travelers. Since I'm not loyal to any hotel chain, I can chose to stay at a different property next time I'm in Cologne. I feel sorry for the business traveler who is tied to the Hilton brand and has to stay there.
- NEW AI TECHNOLOGY AMPLIFIES THE INTELLIGENCE OF BUSINESS TEAMS - A new study by California Polytechnic State University and Unanimous AI shows business teams, when connected by AI algorithms that enable them to make decisions together as a "hive mind," achieved significantly higher accuracy on a standard intelligence test than individuals alone.
- SOFT LAUNCH - As we dream up big ideas, we get stymied by one very important reality: software developments move quickly.
- FORGE ACHIEVES THE (NEAR) IMPOSSIBLE: DESIGNING FOR EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY - Much is made of office design in the San Francisco Bay Area. We've all seen stories about amenities that would make a five-star hotel blush, the pingpong tables and offices that get from floor to floor seemingly using chutes and ladders.
- NAVIGATING THE BIG D - How one company believes it's getting diversity right. Business buzzwords come and go, but there's one word that really means something to tech company Scalable Press: Diversity. It's not because it's popular, though, it's because it's right for workplace teams and right for a company's bottom line.
- AI SET TO PROFOUNDLY AFFECT THE WORKPLACE - This kind of change is already evident in warehouses and distribution centers, where robots handle much of the work us mere mortals did, with human assistance only used to oversee and intervene in the rare instance when something goes wrong.
- AUGMENTED REALITY UNLOCKS VISUALIZATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTRACT FURNITURE - Designers use AR to take their clients into a space and feel what it's like.
- COWORKING AS INNOVATION SPACE - Many of today's most progressive workplace designs resemble the coworking typology of amenity-rich space with a mix of settings and vice versa.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for you.
- FURNITURE, AUGMENTED REALITY IS A MATCH MADE IN DESIGN HEAVEN - The smartphone app allows consumers to transport the SIXINCH products directly into their physical world, making the buying experience more convenient.
Business of Furniture - October 31, 2018
- Orgatec Filled with Trends to Watch - Some of the coolest new products and ideas are coming from the most unlikely of places — the smaller manufacturers and in some cases the makers who are pushing the design envelope. New and emerging companies more than made up for the stumbles of Vitra and the other European majors.
- Allsteel and Normann Copenhagen Expand Successful Partnership - After a successful year of collaboration, Allsteel has expanded its partnership with European furniture and accessories brand, Normann Copenhagen.
- Three Questions to Ask When Specifying a Residential Brand for a Commercial Space - Residential furniture was designed for just that, the residence. What happens when this furniture doesn't hold up to the durability standards of an office? Resimercial. Respitality. Soft contract. There are many terms on the market today to describe the use of residentially designed furniture in commercial spaces.
- Knoll Reports Continued 2018 Momentum With Strong 3rd Quarter Results - Newer workplace platforms and ancillary products drove sales growth while legacy system sales remained flat.
- Stephen Says - "Bored with Your Job? Did Not Get the Promotion You Expected? Think There is Something Better? Think Again!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- The Biz - "Coming Collapse and Opportunity in the Value Chain" - by Kevin Budelmann, President of Peopledesign
- PLACES - Tre Headquarters – Stockholm
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Hightower, Sunon, HBF and Inscape
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 24, 2018
- Orgatec Off to Solid Start - At Orgatec, design matters. Depending on who you talk to, the products themselves are just the byproduct of design and ideas coming together.
- Mediatechnologies Acquires Izzy+ Seating Lines Hannah, Bola, Smile and Arc - Hannah, Bola, Smile and Arc, previously mainstays under the izzy+ umbrella, have been added to the mediatechnologies' family of furniture products.
- A Non-Traditional Response to Address Failing Workplace Strategies - Miller took what many would view as the traditional contract interiors path. "Mindshift is a process designed to tackle complex problems that seem perpetually stuck by creating the necessary willingness to set aside assumptions and explore the worlds of outlier."
- Employees are Happier, Healthier and More Productive in LEED Green Buildings - 90 percent of respondents in LEED-certified green buildings say they are satisfied on the job. The survey also shows a majority of office workers want to work for companies that are value-oriented, take stances on important issues like sustainability and do their part to make a positive difference in the world.
- Kimball Announces the Pending Acquisition of David Edward - The David Edward product portfolio consists of classic and contemporary designs focused primarily in the seating, tables and ancillary furniture categories.
- Stephen Says - "A Frightening Development: Are Your Salespeople Ghosting You?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "Not all Managers are Coaches; Ones Who are Rise to the Top" - by Sid Meadows of embark cct
- PLACES - Kjellander Sjöberg Studio – Stockholm
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Special-T, KFI Seating, Landscape Forms, Sunon, IdeaPaint, H Contract, BuzziSpace, Arper, Indiana Furniture, Inscape and National Office
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 17, 2018
- AIS Partners with Applied Textiles to Offer New Fabric Repel Technology - AIS has partnered with Applied Textiles for Alta – an extraordinary new textile performance technology that is bonded directly to AIS seating fabrics.
- Samuelson Furniture Specializes in Hospitality - Samuelson Furniture is one of those great furniture industry stories: An immigrant woodworker comes to the United States, works hard and with the help of three generations, his dream is turned into reality. The company has a firm grasp on European design with the added benefit of low cost, highly technical production.
- Narbutas Proves Lithuania Matters in Office Furniture Design - Eastern Europe has become a hotbed of office furniture manufacturing and design, and it will show at this year's Orgatec.
- Orgatec's Defining Fair Begins Next Week - A week from now, Orgatec will be heading into high gear as it opens in Cologne, Germany.
- 14th international Salone del Mobile.Milano Moscow Held - Despite the business slowdown from 2013 on, the Russian market remains a priority for Italian furniture industry companies.
- Stephen Says - "An HR Person Asks: Why Does Everyone Our Sales Manager Hire, Look The Same?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Gusto Headquarters – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Sunon, Peter Pepper, Arper and Humanscale
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 10, 2018
- Industry Consolidation: Why it's Finally Happening - In the office furniture industry, the string of acquisitions and partnerships during 2018 shouldn't be a surprise, partly because it's simply long overdue.
- 3form Introduces ILTUO and HooDoo, Part of Subtle Shift from Materials to Products - It makes sense for 3form to move from simply being a materials provider to a manufacturer using its palette of materials.
- ErgoErgo Gives User Different Sitting Experience - The ErgoErgo gives you the same range of movement as an exercise ball, but in a much safer and attractive product.
- Questions to Ask When Selecting a High-Profile Design Feature - "It takes a team to create a beautiful space, and today, that team looks different than it did in the past. As timelines get tighter, it's more important than ever to have the right information up front to serve clients with the best result."
- Humanscale's Freedom Chair Comes to Life in New Gagosian Exhibit - Humanscale Freedom Chair is the star of PLAY, a new exhibit currently open at the Gagosian through October 13th in Chelsea.
- Stephen Says - "Resume Reading Robots! How do I Please the Virtual HR Department?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Training & Development - "One of the Biggest Challenges Facing the Industry Today" - by Sid Meadows
- PLACES - Expensify Offices – Portland
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Varidesk, OFGO, Shaw Contract and Herman Miller
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 3, 2018
- Kimball Select Dealer Contract Resource Group Transitions Ownership - Contract Resource Group, a Spokane-based interior services company that provides commercial office furniture and corporate facility solutions to clients across the Inland Northwest, is changing ownership.
- Landscape Forms Brings Office Outside with Upfit - While a building is a building, and the outdoors is, well, outdoors, Upfit creates spaces somewhere in between. Upfit is an adaptive structure with a sleek, modern style and flexibility to create intentional outdoor environments.
- 2020 Holds Customer, User Happy Hour - Competition can be brutal, but 2020 is still in the game. The event was a happy hour, yes, with food and drinks, but it was also a chance for Mark Stoever, 2020's chief executive officer of just more than a year, to meet the company's customers and deliver a message.
- Industry Experts Form Coaching, Training Company - Everyone in the office furniture industry agrees: Attracting and retaining young, talented professionals is critical for its continued growth and success.
- Byrne Remembers Elizabeth Wirgau - Liz passed away on June 24 when a drunk driver crossed the centerline and struck the vehicle in which she and her husband were driving. In a moment, she was gone. She was 37.
- Stephen Says - "Sock It To Me! What Is The Deal With Men Not Wearing Socks Today?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - United Technologies Digital Offices – New York City
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Republic of Fritz Hansen, Source International, Coalesse, LINAK, Luum Textiles, Carnegie and Shaw Contract
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - October, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING: BUSINESS CLASS SEAT, TRAIN G1, BEIJING TO SHANGHAI - Let's face it: Most of us can't afford to fly business class. It is triple the price on domestic legs and can be 10 times as expensive on international flights. Sure, if we travel a lot, we might get bumped up to business class, but very few can actually afford to pay for it out of pocket. But when traveling on China's high-speed train system, riding in a business class seat is an affordable option, and one that will dramatically increase your productivity if you are trying to work.
- APA ANNOUNCES EMPLOYERS FOR 2018 PSYCHOLOGICALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE HONORS - Nonprofit, for-profit and governmental institutions of all sizes received the designation for implementing workplace practices that psychological research has shown promotes employee well-being and positive organizational outcomes.
- HOW A PRODUCTIVE SIDE HUSTLE CAN INCREASE SELF-AWARENESS (AND INCOME) - According to CNBC, more than half of millennials have a side hustle. Nearly 40% of Americans as a whole have side hustles, while 11% have a side hustle that they work every week; most work it less frequently.
- WHEN YOUR OFFICE IS A KITCHEN: THE HATCHERY PROVIDES FOOD AND BEVERAGE ENTREPRENEURS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED - The Hatchery Chicago, located in the neighborhood of Garfield Park, is one example of a nonprofit venture that enables local entrepreneurs to build and grow successful businesses in an affordable space to incubate their ideas which will help generate additional economic growth and new job opportunities.
- INVESTING IN THE WORKPLACE: WHY PLACE MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK - Attraction and retention: 18-25 year-olds view the office as an extension of their home life. For millennials, the ratings of a company's attraction/retention capability are almost three times higher when the workplace is efficient. Additionally, 64 percent of business owners report flexible, mobile and remote work options have assisted them in hiring or retaining key employees.
- SIX IDEAS TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE WAYFINDING - Airports, transit hubs, college campuses and convention centers all require effective wayfinding yet don't typically cause the same levels of consternation as a hospital.
- SPACES FOR INNOVATION - A PRIMER FOR ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS - History is full of stories about great ideas emerging from garages, labs, "skunkworks" and other out-of-the-way places.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and tested products for the workplace.
- CIFF SHANGHAI: CHINESE FURNITURE TURNS THE CORNER TOWARD ORIGINAL DESIGNS - The Chinese are realizing they need to take the next step and create original designs.
Business of Furniture - September 26, 2018
- Sunon: An Inside Look at a Chinese Office Furniture Plant - The huge factory buildings covering three million square feet of manufacturing space are filled with the latest furniture making machinery.
- INDEAL and Workplace Furnishings Announce Merger - Two of the office furniture industry's top dealer groups, INDEAL and Workplace Furnishings (WPF), will merge September 30th.
- Project Business, Small and Large, Drives Steelcase Sales Higher - The Americas posted 15% revenue growth, or 9% on an organic basis, driven by strong project business from both large and small customers.
- Herman Miller Reports Strong Financial Results - New orders in the first quarter of $630.6 million were six percent above the prior year level.
- Steelcase Acquires Orangebox - "We are really excited about bringing our portfolios together, and we see the opportunity to more than double the size of Orangebox's business within five years by leveraging Steelcase's global scale and distribution."
- Egan Purchases Working Walls Solutions - Working Walls Solutions will not be operated as an independent business. Instead, it will be folded into the Egan brand.
- Stephen Says - "Business Owner Says, 'Everyone Wants a Raise! Guess What? Not Everyone Deserves a Raise.'" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Lundin Mining Offices – Toronto
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Allsteel, ICF and ERG
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 19, 2018
- Steelcase Expands Relationship with Danish Design Company Bolia - Steelcase and Bolia, a contemporary Danish furniture designer and maker, has announced plans to expand their relationship to the Americas and Asia Pacific.
- AIS Reopens Renovated Washington, D.C., Showroom - The showroom features the newest AIS products, offering inspiration for the diverse ways that people work today.
- Sunon: A Company that Exemplifies the Meteoric Rise of the Chinese Office Furniture Market - The company is growing at 20 percent to 25 percent a year and it will be a $1 billion office furniture maker in five years time.
- Constellation to Power Herman Miller's Spring Lake Manufacturing Locations with 100 Percent Renewable Energy - Long-term electricity supply agreement leverages innovative CORe offering to help Herman Miller meet its clean energy goals.
- What We Learned: CIFF Shanghai - China is moving from a "made in China" model to a "created in China" model where products aren't simply conceived there, but created there as well.
- Inscape First Quarter Sales Drop 9% - The first quarter of fiscal year 2019 ended with a loss of $3.2 million or 22 cents per share, compared with a net income of $3.1 million or 21 cents per share in the same quarter of last year.
- Virco Reports Second Quarter Sales Rose 3% - A challenging environment of late orders, rapidly escalating raw material costs, and unexpected shifts in demand led to mixed results for the second quarter and first six months ended July 31, 2018.
- Stephen Says - "Expecting Multiple Job Offers? You are in the Driver's Seat" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Pearson Packaging – Airway Heights, WA
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from from Landscape Forms and Okamura
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 12, 2018
- DIRTT Announces Smed Departure, Names new CEO - DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. Monday announced that founder and executive chair Mogens Smed has left the company, effective immediately. "Mogens has not adequately performed the agreed assigned duties, requiring the board to align management resources to begin building a more collaborative, adaptable and responsive team that creates the ability to successfully scale the business."
- CIFF Shanghai Off to a Strong Start - The development of the Shanghai version of CIFF is being closely watched by many in the industry. Though the Guangzhou event is larger, Shanghai is growing in importance since the city has become one of the world's top business hubs.
- BuzziSpace Opens Big Apple Showroom - BuzziSpace has invested heavily in the U.S., which is expected to be its largest market in the coming years.
- Inventor Uses Simple Idea to Produce Amazing Results: Posture Keeper is Ready for the World and Spines are Ready for it Too - Many successful products are born out of one's personal experience or need.
- ABI July 2018: Billings Grow at Slower Pace for Second Straight Month - Softness in firm billings was pervasive across the country, with firms in all regions except the South reporting decreasing billings for the month
- Stephen Says - "I Can't Stand My Coworkers Cologne" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - LendingHome Headquarters – San Francisco
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Boss Design, Innovative and HAT Contract, Scandinavian Spaces, m.a.d. furniture design and 9to5 Seating
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 5, 2018
- Poppin's Evolution From Pens to Office Furniture - The company's growth has come in stages, from an initial focus on desk accessories to a successful expansion into customized products and office furniture.
- How to Avoid Tariffs? Make Your Furniture in the USA - Trump is president and his tariffs are taking a bite out of the office furniture industry. By some estimates the tariffs could cost the industry 4 percent of its sales.
- MergeWorks Helps Define Space in Open Offices - MergeWorks is one of those firms that wants to help provide some structure and noise abatement to increasingly chaotic open offices. "Open office space is so popular and people are realizing that it's not always the most advantageous situation for their workers," said MergeWorks Chief Executive Officer Scott Klingler.
- Walker Pens Final Letter to Herman Miller Shareholders - I'm humbled to join the list of Herman Miller leaders, and I'm still awed by the chance I was given to help this great community change and grow.
- The Forward-Looking Cycle of Design - Neil Usher, executive consultant for Property, Workplace, Facilities and Change Management, reminds us of this unwavering need to reflect on the defining principles of design in his recent book, "The Elemental Workplace," where he considers the workplace journey, pulling upon his more than 25 years of industry experience.
- Stephen Says - "My Boss Snoops My Instagram and It Needs to Stop" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - 10 Barrel Brewing Co. Offices – Bend, OR
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Wilkhahn, OFM, Kimball, Ergo Impact and Victor Technology
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - September, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING: BELLAGIO'S PATTISSERIE - I had heard good things about the Bellagio Conservatory Botanical Gardens, so with a renewed determination I decided to check it out since it was only across the street. The gardens are beautiful, and I would recommend a visit but it definitely is not a place to get any work done — there is no place to sit. Undeterred, I decided I would check out the rest of the Bellagio to see if I could find a quiet corner.
- THE NEW AGE OF CALL CENTERS: SO FUN, WORKERS CONSIDER IT A CAREER - Bryce Maddock and Jasper Weir did not grow up "dying to revolutionize the call center industry," said Jarrod Johnson, chief customer officer of TaskUs. Yet, the pair inadvertently did just that, and the Santa Monica, California-based TaskUs has become the ultimate millennial office space, catapulting call center work out of dark, dingy cubicles into the hot jobs market.
- OFFICE PLANTS ARE MORE THAN DECORATION - Studies show plants can reduce absenteeism, make workplaces more attractive to potential hires, boost creativity and improve indoor air quality. Another benefit is adding a touch of coziness to an otherwise professional setting.
- LUXOR QUIETS THE OPEN PLAN OFFICE WITH HOST OF PRODUCTS - Open offices can help creativity, but workers also need space to get away from it all. That's where Luxor and the RECLAIM product come in. "Historically, there has been nothing in this (product) category at all," said Paul Roche, president. "There are a lot of stories in the media about the open office — whether it is a good thing or a bad thing. RECLAIM is the solution for the open office. With the open office, you get that communication and collaboration.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and test products for the workplace this month include the Charge Dock which is capable of charging six devices at once. Four cables on the front of the dock can be extended two feet from the station. A slight pull on the cord retracts it back into the dock's housing. Each of these four cables provide 2.4 amps for rapid charging. The G-Hold is a circular attachment approximately four-and-a-half inches in diameter that attaches to the back of the tablet. When folded flat it only protrudes about a quarter of an inch. When used, it allowed us to comfortably hold the tablet. Sensel Morph is a pressure-sensitive touchpad that gives users a choice of overlays so you can swap between video editing, painting, music creation, gaming, coding and other tasks. These are job-specific overlays — sold separately — designed to reduce keystrokes and other input hassles. We found they work very well for the specific tasks associated with them. The Todoist app takes you from overwhelmed to on top of it. Everything's organized and accounted for so you can make progress on the things important to you. Best of all, Todoist helps you easily prioritize your tasks and projects so you'll always know exactly what to work on next.
- SURVEY FINDS WORKING PARENTS RANK WORK-LIFE BALANCE AHEAD OF SALARY WHEN EVALUATING JOB PROSPECTS - Work-life balance rates are more important than salary when people are considering whether or not to take a job, according to a recent FlexJobs survey.
Business of Furniture - August 29, 2018
- ASID Collaborates with Real Estate Industry to Fill Talent Pipeline - The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is helping pave the way forward in the real estate sector with a brand-new collaboration aimed at bolstering the industry's job force.
- ErgoExpo at Paris Las Vegas, Take Two - ErgoExpo kicked off last Tuesday evening with an opening night's reception. The Conference took place over 4 days and was made up of workshops and educational sessions designed to bring the latest in ergonomics to the attendees.
- Embracing Your Inner Child: Designer Finds Inspiration on Playground for Active Office Desk Invention - Palovis' main source of aesthetic inspiration comes from Scandinavian and industrial furniture design. From a functional standpoint, Palovis added that swings are mobile sitting places that rely on momentum, plus it's something that looks familiar and fun to use, which led him to incorporate it into his design.
- ASID Reports Industry Still Strong Despite Regional Sluggishness - How well your interior design firm is doing also depends on where it is located. Not every region is performing at the same level.
- First Chair Hockey World Championship to take place at ORGATEC 2018 - Chair hockey is exactly what it sounds like. It works in a similar way to conventional hockey, only on office chairs.
- Stephen Says - "You Went On An Interview Without Knowing the Salary?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - The Shop at the CAC Coworking Offices – New Orleans
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Maharam, Brentano, Camira, Concertex, Wolf-Gordon, Innovations
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 22, 2018
- Andi Owen Named New Herman Miller President/CEO (and Why it Matters for the Industry) - Michael Volkema, board chairman and former CEO said Owen's strengths are highly complementary to Herman Miller's leadership team's contract furniture expertise and growing retail capability.
- Allsteel Boston Showroom Awarded WELL Gold Certification - The Allsteel Boston showroom is one of five spaces in Boston that has achieved WELL gold certification.
- Dealers React to Herman Miller CEO Hire - "I am optimistic that with her background from Gap Inc., she will be able to take Herman Miller to the next level in the digital markets."
- Hush Wants to Keep the Office Quiet (at an Affordable Price) - The timing for Hush is good, despite the other products flooding the market.
- Andi Owen Appointment is Good Not Because She is a Woman, but Because She is Right for the Job - "The Year of the Woman" is how 2018 has been described, and the furniture industry has added another big event to the year.
- Reaching a Balance for Remote Work Design and Principles - Some view remote workers as less accessible, which is perhaps the reason why 95 percent of these people require workers to be based in a specific location, like a city, state or country.
- BIFMA Voices Opposition to Furniture Component Tariffs - The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association let the government know Friday it was opposed to the Administration's proposed 25 percent tariff on China sourced furniture and components/parts.
- Stephen Says - "Looking for a New Job? Upload Your Resume Directly!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - ActiveCampaign Headquarters – Chicago
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Bisley, Koleksiyon, Teknion, ICF, IDEON, Kirei, Nienkamper, RightAngle and Poppin
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 15, 2018
- Trendway Opens Showroom in Washington D.C. - The opening of the 6,000-square-foot showroom marks the completion of a move from New York Avenue in D.C, which the company occupied for more than seven years.
- ErgoExpo Kicks Off Next Week in Vegas - The conference and expo is the nation's premier event for all things ergonomic and is not just for experts in ergonomics.
- JLL Uses Technology and Good Old-Fashioned Human Intel to Improve Workplace Planning - The ability to envision a space prior to its development requires a talented team of architects, designers and real estate professionals.
- DIRTT Sales results continue to outpace Industry - Revenue increased by $10.7 million or 15.2% to $80.7 million, over Q2 2017, while Gross profit increased by $2.9 million or 9.7% to $32.8 million, over Q2 2017.
- CF Stinson Introduces First Ever Responsive Woven Textiles Collection for Commercial Interiors - Fabrics woven using this innovative, FDA-designated technology will absorb energy (heat) emitted by the body and recycle it back into the body, increasing strength, giving you more energy while you work.
- EDmarket and LearnLaunch Accelerator Announce Investors & Channels Summit - This two-day summit brings these two key resources to the forefront and explores strategies and developing trends.
- Stephen Says - "You Use Your Smart Phone in the Bathroom at Work?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - WeWork Champs-Élysées Coworking – Paris
- Whiteboard - How Hospitality Design Makes Spaces (Of All Types) Better for Users / Six design elements for a more productive office / Blind loyalty
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Neutral Posture, Kirei and Knoll Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 8, 2018
- Knoll Profits on Corporate Growth, Dismisses Tariff Concerns on The Street - Knoll stock jumped on Tuesday, July 31, after the company reported earnings and revenue that topped Wall Street’s estimates, driven largely by the office segment.
- SurfaceWorks Purchases izzy+ Table Lines - The acquisition consists of the full izzy+ table line, which includes several Best of NeoCon award winners.
- Kimball Posts Highest Quarterly Sales in 15 Years - Orders received during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018 increased 19 percent from the prior year, or 10 percent on a comparable basis.
- Lessons Learned from the Incoming Residential Players - We're starting to witness the growth of consumer brands into the contract interiors industry.
- July Furniture Survey Remains Strong - The industry continues to grow but at a nice, steady pace.
- AIS Makes Splash in New York with Showroom - AIS is proud of its Boston roots, but the Massachusetts company is proving it can also make it in New York.
- INDEAL Introduces Latitude - Latitude aims to meet the needs of dealers who derive less than 50% of their overall volume from their primary supplier and who therefore have greater flexibility or latitude to specify product from INDEAL manufacturers.
- Stephen Says - "Sales People Hate to Share, But Should They?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Camping World Offices – Chicago
- Whiteboard - Key steps to a more productive workplace identified / Dialing Up: Planning Strategies to Support Agents in the New Contact Center / VR In The Workplace: 3 Changes To Expect
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Arcadia, Clarus and FLOS
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - August, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING: CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK - Trade shows are designed to get people talking, not working. Yet there are times when work needs to get done, even in the most chaotic places. So, I was thankful to find the NookBar at Clerkenwell Design Week, a show organized to celebrate the best in design from around the world. It is a busy show with tens of thousands of visitors. That makes trying to find a quiet place to work or take a phone call a challenge. Luckily, I found the NookBar, a collection of Nooks being displayed at CDW.
- THE FUTURE OF WORK: INSIGHTS FROM THE FUTURE USERS OF WORKSPACE - The report focuses on interviews with 50 school children who were asked to share their ideas about the future of work. It's a bit of fun, but is also a fascinating and uncompromising (kids don't hold back) exploration into the future workplace, with all its possibilities.
- HOW HOSPITALITY VENUES ARE ADDING CO-WORKING TO THE MENU - As the benefits provided in co-working spaces continue to increase and be enhanced, the gourmet aspect — whether it's food or beverage — has always been one of the most socially engaging amenities to offer.
- FURNITURE THAT BURNS CALORIES - Sitting for long periods of time is an ingrained behavior at the office. Everywhere you look, desks, conference tables, lounge furniture and café booths invite users into a seated position. But the conversation around sitting has shifted, fueled by alarming headlines that claim sitting is on par with smoking.
- INVESTING IN WORKPLACE DESIGN - Building a space that is intentionally designed to bring people together, both physically and virtually, while enhancing the ability to share ideas and think creatively, is a source of continued innovation.
- LIGHT, WORK, SLEEP - FUTURE Designs explored the effects that light and sleep have on our wellness with a sleep experiment carried out over 24 hours during the week of the longest day of the year.
- WAKE-UP CALL: SLEEP DEFICIENCY COMES AT A GREAT COST TO BUSINESS - When it comes to work productivity, the significance of a good night's sleep is no joke. Insomnia costs U.S businesses more than $63 billion annually in absenteeism and reduced workplace productivity, according to a report by the National Safety Council, "Calculating the Cost of Poor Sleep." Approximately 70 percent of Americans report they routinely get insufficient sleep each night — less than six hours on average. It is estimated 50–70 million people in the U.S. are living with a sleep disorder.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and test products for the workplace this month include Amazon's Echo, CLEAR security system, KI's Impress Ultra and ESI's Lotus DX Sit to Stand desk riser.
- CIFF SHANGHAI 2018 BRINGS RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL TOGETHER - This edition will explore the topic "An Example of Global Home Life," which is fitting for what is taking place in the office and with more employees working from home.
Business of Furniture - August 1, 2018
- IIDEX will Join Interior Design Show in Canada - IIDEX, Canada's largest and oldest trade show for interior designers and architects specializing in the contract market, will be folded into the Interior Design Show (IDS) beginning in January 2019.
- Capital One Releases Extensive Workplace Survey - The revolution in workplace design seen in the past decade isn't just a trend. Today's workforce wants to work for companies with a flexible workspace that accommodates all kinds of work styles, according to the report.
- When the World of Work is in Chaos, We Tend to do Very Well': How Innovant is Helping to Create Innovative Workplaces - Innovant wants to help their customers understand what's working, not just give them a one-size-fits-all environment.
- Knoll Reports Continued 2018 Momentum With Strong 2nd Quarter Results - Sales increase 20.3% with 12.5% organic growth excluding Muuto acquisition.
- Senator, Allermuir Continue to Expand Reach in U.S. Market - The showroom reflects the strength of the Allermuir brand. It is filled with products the company showed off at NeoCon.
- Stephen Says - "Are You Stalling or Just a Dunce?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Microsoft Technology Center – Detroit
- Whiteboard - Can technology help fix remote working? / The Surprising Reason Why an Open Office Space may not be great for your Company / Talent Search: It's all about a great employee experience
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Maharam, Unika Vaev and Boss Design
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 25, 2018
- Knoll Rings the Closing Bell at the NYSE - Knoll was first listed on the NYSE in 2004. Fourteen years later, Knoll is back in honor of the brand's 80th Anniversary.
- Take a Peek at first LOOK in NYC - Though it is not associated in any way with NeoCon, first LOOK has become the de facto NeoCon East, a chance for the design community in New York that didn't go to Chicago to see what it missed.
- Clean, Minimalistic, Open: A Look Inside Humanscale's New HQ - Unlike its former headquarters on Madison Square Park, the new headquarters also was designed as a living showroom, a place where customers could come and see Humanscale products in action.
- SHiFT Happens: How NELSON Chicago is Seeking Inspiration from Outside the Industry - SHiFT Happens is a quarterly series designed to shake up the mind to see the same problem in a new light.
- Office Furniture Visionary Friedrich-Wilhelm Dauphin Celebrates his 80th Birthday - After an active career spanning more than 50 years, Friedrich-Wilhelm Dauphin still captivates people today with his unique personality.
- Stephen Says - "Where the Heck Is My Company's President?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Blend Headquarters – San Francisco
- Whiteboard - A day in the life of an 'agile worker' / Invisible Design for Performance / 5 Facts About Remote Work and Millennials
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Gunlocke, Arper, Scandinavian Spaces and Pallas Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 18, 2018
- Legendary Steelcase Leader Frank Merlotti Sr. Dies - Frank Merlotti Sr., who helped Steelcase become a powerhouse in the office furniture industry, died July 11 at the age of 91.
- first LOOK Opens in NYC Today - The 14th annual first LOOK opens today at the New York Design Center, which is the home base for dozens of office furniture showrooms in the city and a handful of New York's most powerful furniture reps.
- 2020 Inspiration Awards for Office Designers Winners Announced - "Our goal is to listen to our clients' needs and offer them innovative features and enhancements that will make the office design process as seamless and as intuitive as possible."
- New Management Team is Directing the Dauphin Group - The consolidated activities of the new management structure within the Dauphin corporate group exist as a family-owned company under the Dauphin office interiors Holding umbrella organization.
- The Biggest Theme You Didn't SEE at NeoCon 2018 - Navigating change often leaves us uneasy, but many industry players are seeing these emerging relationships as opportunities.
- How to Get Workers to Use Height Adjustable Desks? Kesseböhmer Suggests Pulling the Plug Might Help - "The height-adjustable market has developed in some ways like the Aeron chair — it has become a status symbol."
- Stephen Says - "Making The Case For a Raise" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Diageo Offices – Singapore
- Whiteboard - For The Office Of 2050, Think Adaptation, Not Revolution / Yes, Open Office Plans are the Worst / A Different Path for Thinking
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Coalesse, Global, Special-T, ICF, Maharam, Vitra, Innovations, Wolf-Gordon and Morbern
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 11, 2018
- How many interns does it take to fill a "phone booth?" - KI interns took office sharing to a new level when they packed inside the company's phone booth.
- It's Not too Early to Plan for Orgatec - While some trade shows are suffering, Orgatec continues to grow. The international trade fair for the modern working world recorded a considerable increase in visitor numbers of more than 10 percent in 2016 with more than 56,000 visitors from 118 countries.
- Inspired by Community: The Global Boom in Co-working Spaces - The concepts for these shared offices are as diverse as the people using them and one of the many reasons Orgatec is focusing on the influence co-working is having on workplace design.
- Rain Design Believes in Ergonomic Simplicity - As more businesses use Apple products, Rain Design has its sights set on the contract ergonomic product market, showing for the first time on the seventh floor of NeoCon in June.
- Time to Get Focused: Workplace Distractions Come with a Price - Though technology distractions are significant, it's really overall workplace distractions which are on the rise and in need of solutions.
- 2020 and Promob to Merge Business Operations - Promob leads the market in Latin America with interior space planning applications, solutions and content tailored for designers, architects, retailers and manufacturers.
- Stephen Says - "So You Never Needed a Resume to Get a Job Until Now? Welcome to the Real World!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Brunswick Offices – Mettawa
- Whiteboard - Creating "in-between" spaces in research facilities / How Design Inspires Creativity in theWorkplace / Open-plan offices have a surprising effect on workplace communication
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from FUTURE Designs
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 04, 2018
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "A Final Note..."
- KI Holds Annual "Pup Up" Event - Bring Your Dog to Work Day is a treasured tradition at KI. For many years, KI has covered cat and dog adoption fees for employees.
- Rising Steel Prices Turns Industry Profitability Rusty - While the policies in Washington might seem like they are unrelated to office furniture, the effects of higher steel prices are being felt by the industry that still uses a lot of metal while making products.
- NeoCon Reaches 50th Milestone Mark - A marked, yet diverse focus on well-being in the workplace also took center stage. From privacy solutions to biophilic design, workplace solutions exhibited a people-centric approach.
- ERGOCHIEF Finds Active Work Helps Mind as Well as Body - The company's goal is to design and make office furniture adapted to the modern world, with the belief that "your workspace should improve your life not burn you out."
- Herman Miller Posts Record Net Sales - Brian Walker, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Strong net sales and order growth were a clear highlight of our results this quarter as we finished the fiscal year setting all-time records for quarterly and annual sales for our Company."
- The Rise of the Dealer Designer - As contract furniture dealers make strategic shifts to avoid becoming a taxi in an Uber world, their most important asset (people) needs also are shifting.
- Stephen Says - "You Want A Day Off Because Your Dog Died? Good Luck" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Sivantos Headquarters – Singapore
- Whiteboard - Steelcase and Microsoft: Bridge the Creative Gap / The Five Pillars of Effective Space Management / A bug-eyed view of workplace design
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from ESI, Encore, Poppin, Innovant and BDI
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - July, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING - Last month I traveled to Bordeaux, France, a beautiful part of the world. I choose to arrive a couple of days early, giving me some time to recover from jet lag and do a little exploring over the weekend. I had also hoped to get some work done.
- 5 ADVANTAGES OF A DIVERSE WORKPLACE NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT - When an organization embraces diversity and inclusion as an integral part of the fabric of the company, incredible cultural transformations take place.
- ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL - When designing physical spaces and products, we often think of ADA guidelines, which have greatly helped to make buildings accessible to those who use mobility devices.
- L.L. BEAN WANTS YOU TO BE AN 'OUTSIDER' AT WORK - It is the first-ever, outdoor co-working space, complete with individual workspaces, collaborative conference areas, cycling desks and outdoor team-building activities.
- WHY WORKING OUTSIDE IS COMPLETELY NATURAL - Businesses are starting to treat patios and courtyards as more than a landscaping area. These spots can be converted into a pleasant workspace for individuals, meetings and group collaboration. A natural setting can be a refreshing change of scenery that sparks a renewed sense of energy and drive.
- THE END OF THE TRADITIONAL 9-5? NEW STUDY FINDS 70 PERCENT OF US SKIP THE OFFICE TO WORK ELSEWHERE - More than two-thirds of global employees work remotely every week, and more than 50 percent do so for at least half of the week, heralding a major reassessment of corporate real estate, according to a comprehensive new global study.
- EUROPEANS VS NORTH AMERICANS, WHO HAS THE BEST WORK LIFE BALANCE? - How many hours a week do most people work? Who stays the longest with their employer? The French, Italians, Americans, Turkish?
- ICONIC OFFICES: MAXIMIZED DESIGN. MAJOR BRAND IMPACT. - Maximalism has been defined as modern design's expressive side, a style that allows greater freedom and opportunity for personal expression.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Poked, prodded and test products for the workplace.
- WHAT NEOCON TAUGHT US ABOUT THE FUTURE WORKPLACE - NeoCon is formed around core showrooms, where individual companies selling office furniture, textiles and wallcoverings display their wares.
Business of Furniture - June 27, 2018
- Lectra Unveils the Future of Cutting Room Solutions - The company has been working to advance the Industry 4.0 revolution for the cutting room for years. Not only is it providing solutions for cutting rooms, it also is implementing Industry 4.0 in its manufacturing process.
- NeoCon at 50: A Retrospect and a Reflection - Will we see a NeoCon 100 or even a NeoCon 75? What about a NeoCon 60? I'd like to hope so, but the odds are diminishing.
- Integra Growing to Meet Increased Customer Demand - This summer, the company will complete the installation of new, state-of-the-art equipment and machinery into a renovated 50,000-sq. ft. facility.
- Steelcase Reports Flat Sales for Quarter; Strong Backlog Bodes Well for the Future - The Americas posted flat revenue growth, or an organic decline of 1 percent, compared to the prior year, which included approximately $20 million of revenue related to a very large project.
- The Biggest Partnership Announcement you may have missed at NeoCon - Nowy Styl is just 25 years old, but has already established itself as one of the dominant forces in European office furniture.
- CIFF Set for September in Shanghai - Chinese office furniture makers are investing heavily in their own designs or hiring European and North American designers to do it for them.
- Trend Spotting at NeoCon 2018 - If you work in the world of contract interiors, one of the best times of the year is NeoCon, and this year did not disappoint.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Your Customers Can Make You Better. Help Them Help You"
- Stephen Says - "Is PTO What I Think It Is?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Uber EMEA Headquarters – Amsterdam
- Whiteboard - Why Co-Working Doesn't Work for All / Turning to Tech to Boost Employee Wellbeing / Five Key Trends In Alternative Workplace Strategies
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from National Office and Landscape Forms
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 20, 2018
- Interface Agrees to Acquire Nora Systems - Interface has signed a definitive agreement to acquire nora systems in a stock purchase transaction valued at $420 million.
- Cheers and Jeers from NeoCon 2018 - We liked a heckuva lot more than we could list in these pages. Simply put, you, dear industry, did a fantastic job of wowing us once again. Your creativity, product design and showroom presentations were excellent.
- Bright and Fun Floorcoverings Unveiled at NeoCon 50 - The manufacturers of floor coverings are taking advantage of open floor spaces by designing new and fresh patterns, giving bright and fun options to designers.
- Designer Dies After Falling from Swing in David Edward Showroom During NeoCon - Jacqueline Albertine, 57, worked for Corporate Design Choice, a Miami dealer aligned with Herman Miller.
- BIFMA Holds Annual NeoCon Breakfast - The industry's top leaders gathered once again for BIFMA's annual breakfast, the traditional end of NeoCon.
- WeWork Executive Outlines Company's Vision at BIFMA Meeting - Economy and mobility promote engagements, continuous and rapid innovation is a must, the pace of change is accelerating, and it's still expensive.
- The Fabrics of NeoCon - In addition to the effort that goes into the design of the seat's structure, a great deal of effort also goes into what covers that design.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "The Customer 'Deciding Journey' is Different Than Their 'Buying Journey'"
- Stephen Says - "If She Liked Me Enough, She Would Hire Me" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - LoyaltyOne Offices – Toronto
- Whiteboard - To improve Open-Plan Offices, look at the evolution of Elementary School Classrooms / A Fantastic Workplace does not necessarily have to be Innovative, just Fantastic / Four key points to consider when creating a Digital Workplace
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Product Introductions from Norm Architects and Inscape
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 13, 2018
- Bush Industries and Bush Business Furniture Sold to Lorraine Capital - This acquisition was almost lost within the much larger pool of acquisitions announced the past few weeks.
- Successful NeoCon Wrapping Up in Chicago - Mobs of people came to NeoCon 2018, anecdotally one of the busiest on record. The halls were packed Monday and Tuesday as specifiers went to the Mart to find out what the future of work looks like.
- NeoCon Keynote Address: Art Gensler Gives Insight to Success - Many designers socialize with other designers, which is great but those designers will never give you a job.
- Flurry of Acquisitions Roils Industry - Marking the importance of a diverse product offering that spreads far beyond the office, it was the biggest week of acquisitions and partnerships in the industry in recent memory, and all of them were announced just before the opening of NeoCon.
- Hekman Focuses on Booming Senior Living Furniture - People are living longer, and the elderly who might need a little help but aren’t ready for a nursing home are not satisfied with the clinical, institutional look of the furniture available to them from most manufacturers.
- Steelcase Plugs into Microsoft (and what it means for the company and industry) - The collaboration began about 18 months ago with Creative Spaces — an immersive ecosystem that brings together place and technology to help people generate new ideas and move them forward.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Client Discovery: Two Questions that can Help You Build Your Empire"
- Stephen Says - "Selling Furniture Is Not Brain Surgery" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - PwC Offices – Melbourne
- Whiteboard - The evolution of the Office Workspace / Office Expectations are Changing - Is Your Company Ready? / Why your office needs a makerspace—it's about investing in the creative workplace
- NEOCON WRAP-UP ISSUE COMING JUNE 20TH - Complete coverage of a great show!
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - NeoCon 2018 SPECIAL EDITION
- COME BELLOW WITH US - Meet with the team behind The Business of Furniture and Workplaces Magazine. NeoCon 2018 - Seventh Floor; Booth: 7-5113
- NEOCON IS MIDDLE AGED, BUT FAR FROM STODGY AND WRINKLED - With NeoCon turning 50 this year, it would be easy to assume that it would share other middle age traits such as “finding you have no idea what ‘young people’ are talking about,” “falling asleep after one glass of wine” or “taking a keen interest in The Antiques Road Show.” And yet it feels fresh somehow, doesn’t it? NeoCon might make YOU feel a bit haggard and old come Wednesday, but the event itself is anything but stodgy.
- FLOOR PLANS - Find your way around NeoCon this year.
- THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST PRODUCTS DEBUTING DURING NEOCON - Hundreds of the latest products to stop by and see.
- THE COMPANIES - The Latest Products and Introductions at The Show: - 2020, 9to5 Seating, AIS, Allseating, Allsteel, Arcadia, Arconas, Arc-Com, Arper, Artopex, BiSemA Corporation, Boss Design, Brentano, Bretford, BuzziSpace, Camira, Carnegie, Chief, Claridge, Clarus Glassboards, Coalesse, Community, Concertex, Configura, Davis, Decca, Encore, Enwork, ESI, Falcon, Geiger, Global, Groupe Lacasse, Gunlocke, HBF, Herman Miller, HPFI, Humanscale, Indiana Furniture, Innovant, Innovative, Jabbrrbox, JANUS et Cie, JSI, Keilhauer, KI, Kimball Office, Knoll, Koleksiyon, LOGICDATA, Momentum, National Office Furniture, Nemschoff, Nienkamper, Nook, Okamura, OM, Peter Pepper, Pallas Textiles, Safco - Mayline, Scandinavian, SitOnIt, Spec Furniture, Steelcase, Studio TK, Symbiote, Teknion, Thonet, and Versteel - AND MORE!
Business of Furniture - June 6, 2018
- Breaking News: Steelcase and West Elm Announce Plans to Partner - Leading Furniture Providers Team Up to Help Organizations Create Inspiring, High-Performance Workplaces
- Hope to Visit DIRTT During NeoCon? You'll Need an Invitation - The DIRTT Chicago penthouse is always a hotspot in mid-June. Actually, it's gotten too hot. This year the custom prefab construction company is closing its doors to drop-ins.
- Guest Opinion: Beyond NeoCon - NeoCon has too much emphasis in the industry. Trade show booths that function as a showroom and a desire for industry PR result in a pattern of overspending.
- The Art of Nienkämper - A lot of the staff at Nienkämper have logged 20-plus years of experience at the 120,000-square-foot plant, and when it comes to manufacturing, nothing replaces experience.
- NeoCon Ready to Roll - What does the office of the future look like? An insider look at the future can be found at NeoCon, June 11–13, the world's largest and most important event for the commercial interiors industry.
- Nightingale Celebrates 90 by Celebrating its Employees - Nightingale's commitment to its employees goes beyond longevity. The company provides 12 months of maternity leave. It also provides 12 months of paternity leave.
- AE Superlab Takes Unconventional Approach to Design in Brooklyn - Since one stone was set atop another to create a structure, it seems there has been debate over the practice of architecture and design.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Show Me Your Mentors and I will Show You Your Future."
- Stephen Says - "If You Need a Counter-Offer to Get a Raise, It's Time to Quit Your Job!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Hudson River Trading Offices – NYC
- Whiteboard - Shining A Light on Health and Well-Being / Why You Should Rotate Office Seating Assignments / Majority of global workforce now work somewhere other than the office every week
- SPECIAL BOF NEOCON ISSUE COMING JUNE 9TH - We'll preview all of the new products at NeoCon!
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 5, 2018 - CIFF Special Edition
- THE SHANGHAI EDITION - Young, and with a strong desire to grow, able to provide large spaces: the National Exhibition & Convention Centre in Hongqiao is the world's largest exhibition complex. The opportunities provided by the availability of this enormous space has made it possible to develop unique events, such as the East Design Show, which every year enchants visitors wishing to discover the potential of the quality Chinese product, the value of emerging designers and the new market trends.
- THE GUANGZHOU EDITION - CIFF was born here, and a good 38 editions have been held in the city. Deemed a historic fair for this city, every year is definitely a very animated affair; just think that because of the extremely high number of applications to exhibit, the March edition was divided into two phases, divided by product group. The office furniture show is held during the 2nd phase of CIFF Guangzhou, from March 28-31, occupying 17 halls. During the latest edition, which ended last March, a large area was dedicated to the "intelligent office", while furniture for the healthcare facilities and the elderly appeared for the first time.
- A PREVIEW OF THE 42ND CIFF (SHANGHAI) - The 42nd China International Furniture Fair (Shanghai) will take place at NECC (Shanghai) in Hongqiao, on September 10-13, 2018. It will host more than 2,000 brands that are distributed in the Import & Design Hall, Trendy Furniture, Quality Furniture, Customized Intelligent Home & Kids Furniture, Sofa & Ding/Living Room Furniture, Sofa Hall, Sleep Center, Homedecor & Hometextile & Lifestyle, Outdoor & Leisure, Office Life Pavilion and China International Furniture Machinery & Furniture Raw Materials Fair, which complement each other and have extraordinary strength.
- EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS - The EAST Design Show, held for 3 consecutive sessions, will take place with a new look in the 42nd CIFF (Shanghai) in cooperation with the designers, design brands and design academies at home and abroad to bring the industry a visual feast that "good design creates good business". The Pinnacle Awards Asia-Pacific is jointly launched by CIFF, the American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) and High Point Market, and is a sub-award of the Pinnacle Awards created for the first time in the countries and regions outside the United States. It is the only international furniture & home furnishing award in the Asia-Pacific region, created to select the enterprises and designer's products well-received by the furniture market and industry, aiming to improve the overall design level of the US furniture and home furnishing industries.
Workplaces Magazine - June, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING: AMTRAK METROPOLITAN LOUNGE, CHICAGO - The Metropolitan Lounge was built with the business traveler in mind. The lounge has several areas of casual seating and plenty of outlets, plus Internet access is free and fast. Snacks and soft drinks are also free, and you can buy alcoholic drinks. Televisions show local news and newspapers and magazines are available.
- THE FLEXIBLE UNIVERSITY WORKPLACE - Colleges and universities are the next in line to recognize the spaces they provide often don't support the work to be done, are not financially feasible in the long-term, are not environmentally sustainable and can inhibit the core activities for which a campus exists — interaction among students, faculty and staff.
- CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD - SPACE MATTERS - In the face of the tightest labor market in approximately 18 years, corporate occupiers are highly focused on talent acquisition and retention. Results of a recent research survey conducted by Cushman & Wakefield and CoreNet Global, entitled What Occupiers Want, reveal that finding and keeping top talent is the number one challenge for global organizations.
- CATCHING A FEW Zs IN THE OFFICE - Catching a few zzz's while on the clock may no longer be a fireable offense. The stigma of napping during work hours is starting to take a back seat to science. Companies striving for a workplace that promotes happiness and health are beginning to realize sleep is just as essential to well-being as nutrition or fitness.
- HOW A NEIGHBORHOOD IN LONDON SETS THE TONE FOR THE WAY WE WORK - The thought that goes into office design spans the knowledge of any industry. What surrounds you in the office is an amalgamation of furniture, lighting, paint, carpet, fabric and supplies that creates a space, but also includes a huge helping of creativity. That's what makes Clerkenwell Design Week so important and unlike any furniture-related event in the world.
- THE ART OF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS AND HOW TO CULTIVATE GOOD CHEMISTRY - When it comes to teamwork in the office, sometimes, with personality conflicts and varying work styles hindering company morale and disrupting productivity, little work actually gets done. Don't you wish there was a magic remedy for improving team potential in the office?
- REMOTE.CO DELIVERS INSIGHT INTO HOW TO OPTIMIZE REMOTE WORK - Is remote work from the home office changing our perspective on work for the better or challenging traditional office norms?
- PRODUCT MATTER - This month we take a look at a few products that will be hits at the upcoming NeoCon show in Chicago.
- AGGRESSION AT WORK CAN LEAD TO 'VICIOUS CIRCLE' OF MISCONDUCT - Workplace aggression is a significant issue, particularly in the health-care sector where nurses can be targeted by their colleagues and co-workers through bullying and by patients and their relatives through third-party aggression. While workplace aggression has been examined in relation to the health-related consequences for victims, less is known about the possible negative impact it may have on their behavior at work.
Business of Furniture - May 30, 2018
- Logitech Teams with Furniture Maker Herman Miller on 'More Creative' AV Solutions - Logitech and Herman Miller are the latest in the line of AV manufacturers teaming up with furniture companies—and we certainly don't expect them to be the last.
- Here's What Happens When You Combine Art and the Office in London - Though British accents rule, Clerkenwell Design Week is beginning to attract a growing number of North American companies and visitors as well.
- Newmark Knight Frank Evolves the Process Behind Workplace Design - When it comes to execution, Newmark Knight Frank has taken a unique approach to pulling in furniture partners.
- 50 for 50: Come June, KI's Dick Resch will be the Only Person to Attend Every NeoCon - Many in the industry have been to 20, some to 30 and even a few to 40, but Resch is believed to be the only person who will be able to say (after the start of the show in a few weeks) he has been to every single one.
- Bisley Hosts 'Matter of Fact' Exhibit in London, curated by Dirty Furniture - "Matter of Fact" explored a central question: How have human storage needs changed in contemporary times and in the age of digital media?
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Our Economy is Temporary. Your Reputation is Eternal."
- Stephen Says - "Why Am I Losing Salespeople to a Company Called Restoration Hardware?!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - LinkedIn - New York City, NY
- Whiteboard - Yes, your coworkers are secretly changing the office temperature / Workplace IoT: Smart Office Applications for Better Productivity / Top perks wanted by workers revealed – including free gyms and day off on their birthday
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Group Lacasse, ERG and Artaic
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 23, 2018
- Exemplis acquires Table and Ergonomic Accessories Provider Symmetry Office - Exemplis Corporation announced its acquisition of Symmetry Office, a Florida-based provider of training, multi-purpose and height-adjustable tables and workspace accessories.
- Clerkenwell Design Week Opened Tuesday in London - It is nowhere near the size of iSalone in Milan and doesn't command the cachet of Orgatec, but Clerkenwell Design Week punches above its weight when it comes to its importance in London's critically important design community.
- ICFF Brings Trends to the Big Apple - Taking place at the Javits Center in New York City, the four-day event brings together more than 36,000 industry professionals ranging from architects, distributors and manufacturers, to interior designers, retailers, visual merchandisers and more.
- Lectra Unveils Cutting Room 4.0 and New Made-To-Order Solution for Fashion and Furniture Markets - The new made-to-order solution is now available commercially for the furniture market and will be available for the fashion & apparel market in late 2018.
- Gensler's Analytic Approach to Perceptions Around the Workplace - Gensler has been using its survey tool, the Workplace Performance Index, to inform its workplace survey since 2007 and has identified several elements that help the company understand how to move the needle.
- Remote Work Boom Brings Attention to the Home Office: What are You Doing to Sell to It? - No particular trends indicate some industries are more hesitant than others to take on remote workers, though there are certain job functions that lend themselves better to remote work.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Our Customers are not Always Buying... but They are Always Learning"
- Stephen Says - "He Quit Before NeoCon, But You Countered and Kept Him: Fire Him After the Show?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Alibaba Pictures Offices – Pasadena
- Whiteboard - Healthy offices: Why Employers should be pushing for more Standing Room in the Workplace / Inventions and Innovations that Shaped the Workplace: The Starting Point / Between Chicken Little and Deviance Theory: Changing the Role of Workplace Design
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Clarus, Innovant, Poppin and PPP
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 16, 2018
- Studio TK Announces New Partnership with Artifort - Studio TK has entered into a new product partnership with Artifort to manufacture and distribute the Dutch company's chairs, tables and sofas in North America.
- LIGHTFAIR International Held in Chicago - Like the office furniture industry, lighting is very splintered with a few large companies, like Sylvania, Philips and Samsung, and hundreds of smaller ones filling the hall.
- CDW SPECIAL SECTION - The second edition of the North American Innovation Exhibition will have those technology companies (and some seriously high tech products) on view in London next week at Clerkenwell Design Week.
- Will the Showrooms Finish on Time? Our Annual Mart Walkthrough - "The Mart will be ready," Byron Morton said during Business of Furniture's annual walk-through of the show floors last week, but that doesn't mean it all happens without a little stress.
- A Q&A with Bruce Allum - Bruce Allum was working as a registered architect in Tampa, Florida, in 1984 when he got a call from an old friend who owned a computer service bureau.
- Steelcase Expands Relationship with Microsoft - Steelcase believes that as organizations pursue growth they need to foster more innovation, which needs a new kind of work culture.
- State Senate Majority Leader Attends Trendway 50th-anniversary Celebration in Holland - State Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof applauded Trendway for its commitment to the Holland community and its employees.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Dance Like Your Competitors are Watching... Because They Are"
- Stephen Says - "Take a Hint from Your Children: Changing Jobs Is Easier Than Ever" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - LogicMonitor Offices – Austin
- Whiteboard - Hacks for Supporting the Untethered Employee / The Baby & The Bathwater: Build on What You Know / Is Coworking the Future?
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Maars, Global, ESI, Arcadia and Maharam
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 9, 2018
- KI Now 100% Owned by Employees - Employees were notified of the change during a town hall meeting at its headquarters in Green Bay.
- Knoll Leaving the Mart After Upcoming NeoCon, Heading to Chicago's Hot Fulton Market Neighborhood - The decision is causing shockwaves in the industry as the Mart moves to fill the space that made up five percent of the building's entire contract inventory.
- Kimball International Reports Weak Third Quarter Results - Orders received during the third quarter of fiscal year 2018 decreased 6% from the prior year.
- Stelter Lands at Yulio - Despite the odds, Stelter keeps surfacing in the industry he loves, often pushing it forward and changing the way it thinks about itself — about what's possible in the office furniture industry.
- Dynamic Themes Emerging from the 2018 Hospitality Design Exposition & Conference - An overwhelming feeling of reminiscence toward classic design and elegance could be seen throughout the show.
- Scrappy and Dealer-Centric, AIS Finds the Right Formula in Leominster - AIS always has been known as a little scrappy company that has grown consistently because it remembers to service its dealers first.
- ORGATEC 2018 Addresses the Opportunities and Challenges in Tomorrow's Worlds of Work - When ORGATEC 2018 opens its doors in Cologne from 23 to 27 October, well over 50,000 trade visitors from all over the globe, who want to inform themselves about the future of modern worlds of work, are awaited again.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Silence Can Mean Acceptance"
- Stephen Says - "Open Offices: Now You Can See How the Sausage is Made" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Marketing Technology - The Try Before You Buy: How the VR Experience Can Change Furniture Sales
- PLACES - Medallia Offices – San Mateo
- Whiteboard - Swanky Google And WeWork-Style Offices Miss A Huge Swath Of Occupiers / How To Survive In An Open Office Without Hating Your Coworkers / The Limits of Workplace Densification: How We've Moved Beyond Efficiency
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Egan, Kirei, Poppin and ercol
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 2, 2018
- ICF in exclusive distribution agreement with Magnus Olesen A/S - International Contract Furnishings has made an exclusive distribution agreement with Magnus Olesen A/S for North America.
- INDEAL Holds Champion Conference in Charleston - INDEAL, which if you don't know, is a purchasing organization that adds value to dealers and suppliers in the contract office furniture industry, and is just eight years old.
- How Amazon is Inching into the Contract Furniture Market - By partnering with local businesses, Amazon is creating its own solution for procurement using established businesses' unique channels.
- KI Now 100% Owned by Employees; Resch Calls it 'A New Era' for Company - KI completed the move to become a 100 percent employee-owned company late last week, a shift that should keep the company solidly independent and keep it in Green Bay for the long term.
- Benefits of Specialized Educational Furniture for the Modern Classroom - Classrooms furnished with static desks, chairs all facing the same direction. and a blackboard in the front of the classroom are becoming a thing of the past.
- Late Breaking News - Knoll has signed a lease to move from the Mart to Fulton Market, where they will continue to hone their approach to integrated design for the office and home, as well as showcase their growing constellation of brands.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Have a Client that is Not Happy with You? What Should You do if You Start Getting too Many?"
- Stephen Says - "Are You Deaf? What to Do About a Boss Who Can't Hear" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Glu Mobile Offices – San Francisco
- Whiteboard - Moving Beyond Open Plan Spaces in Workplace Design / Emerging and Evolving Job Roles: Tech-Enabled Offices are Fueling Demand for New Roles & Skills / Architects, Armed with Data, Are Seeing the Workplace Like Never Before
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Indiana Furniture, Wolf-Gordon, Skram, m.a.d., OFM and Egan
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - May, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING - How do you rate a working experience in a space not really meant for it? On a recent business trip to Charleston I stayed in room 439 at the Charleston Harbor Resort, a mostly pleasant experience in a relatively nice room. If you are anything like me, no matter where you are traveling for business, you have to get some work done.
- FLEXIBLE SERVICES - Who cares about workplace services? Well, at a minimum, the 10,877 people who have it in their job title on LinkedIn right now. Or perhaps any employer who's motivated by Glassdoor's recent finding that 79 percent of employees would choose engaging benefits over a pay raise. Or perhaps any member or provider of co-working space, which now makes up 37 percent of office space in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco, according to the Instant Group.
- GRAPHENE: A MATERIAL FOR THE FUTURE - Graphene is a very thin layer of carbon. Graphene is transparent, incredibly thin, and is the strongest material known to science and we are just now starting to tap in to its seemingly unending list of capabilities.
- TWO NEW CHAIRS THAT COULD CHANGE THE WAY YOU WORK - Sculptural, sleek, sexy. Not words often associated with office furniture. But two of the largest furniture makers in the world recently introduced new chairs that fit the bill. They also will change the way you work, adding some much needed comfort to the office. In the last few weeks, both Steelcase and Herman Miller launched new chairs that will sit in an office near you very soon. Both Steelcase's new SILQ chair and Herman Miller's Cosm are getting solid initial reviews.
- HOW CIRCADIAN LIGHTING BOOSTS PRODUCTIVITY - The average workplace is awash in illumination from overhead fixtures, wall sconces, task lamps and computer and device screens. But with respect to Mr. Edison, there's a growing field of evidence that shows exposure to electric light at all hours of the day has far-reaching consequences that interfere with health, productivity and creativity.
- WORKPLACE SEATING: IT'S ALL ABOUT 'HABITATS' - When it comes to specifying seating for the workplace, Boss Design offers a strong collection of options suitable for the six workplace "habitats" identified by the company.
- LECTRA CHANGES THE WAY MACHINES WORK TO IMPROVE HOW YOU WORK - Many observers believe we are on the cusp of a new industrial revolution, commonly referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0.
- PRODUCT MATTER - The latest and greatest, and not so great products reviewed.
- WHY ALLOWING EMPLOYEES TO WORK REMOTELY FACILITATES ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH - Technology offers the benefit of allowing your employees to work remotely, either on a regular basis or whenever the need arises. But did you know working remotely can actually make your employees happier and more productive?
- CIFF FOCUSED ON INTELLIGENT OFFICE, THE ELDERLY AND BETTERING WORKERS - Attendees continued to see higher quality products, particularly with the task chair.
Business of Furniture - April 25, 2018
- HNI Corporation Announces Retirement of Stan A. Askren - Stan A. Askren will retire as HNI Corporation's CEO and chairman of the board by the end of the year, and Jeffrey D. Lorenger will take over as president.
- Neutral Posture Sues Knoll Over Equity Deal - A lawsuit filed by Neutral Posture against Knoll is based on Equity — both figuratively and literally.
- COVER: The Balancing Act of Flexibility in the Workplace - Employees are the most important asset to these organizations and providing them the amenities and services they need to be productive and engaged are key parts of an effective workplace strategy.
- Once an Industry Darling, izzy+ Closing its Doors - The company will stop taking orders and end production after fulfilling its supplier and contractual obligations. Dealers are being told not to sell the brand any longer.
- Free-Standing Rooms Go Mainstream - The vision for Zonez is as much about community as anything else. One of the user-experience principles of these spaces beyond the desk is creating organic experiences that foster community.
- CASE STUDY: Mayline-Safco and Seattle City Light - By using products from Mayline-Safco's Active Collection, Seattle City Light was able to save its Safe Habit Safe Worker program $1.5 million and improve worker safety by 60 percent.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Temporarily Short on Creativity? How to Get Your Swagger Back"
- Stephen Says - "Reading My Co-Workers' Facebook Feed Make Me Hate Them" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Enthought Offices – Austin
- Whiteboard - Remote working may be doing some people more harm than good / Here's how working at your desk job while standing may trigger lower back pain / Lighting in 2018: Diversity is Key
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Scandinavian Spaces and Ligne Roset
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 18, 2018
- Essendant and S.P. Richards Business To Combine - Essendant and Genuine Parts Company announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement to combine Essendant and Genuine Parts Company's S.P. Richards business.
- The Wait is Over - Cosm Unveiled in Milan - Cosm is a radically new family of mesh chairs and the first by Herman Miller that adjusts to users instantly through high-tech materials and a unique shape.
- Dealer Proves Tech Belongs with Furniture - The ever-changing technology landscape is why Custer, the Steelcase dealer in Big Dark Blue's backyard, has changed its approach to designing workspaces.
- 2018 Workplace Trends That Will Influence How We Design - Work no longer is a place we go from 9 to 5. Instead, it's a compilation of the many things that make up our identity. We go to work to do a job. But we also go to work to be inspired, socialize, work out, eat, learn and even sleep.
- With Coworking Running Rampant, will Regus be Left Behind? - Regus has been around for 30 years leasing office space to solopreneurs and others looking to have a professional office without the hassle of long leases and too much space.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Creating Big Ideas is not the Same Thing as Bringing Them to Life"
- Stephen Says - "A Free Business Plan on an Interview? Yes or No?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Bustle Offices – New York City
- Whiteboard - Move Over Millennials - The Future is Inclusive Office Design / Q+A: The Psychology of Workplace / Office Design Trends Are Causing A Privacy Crisis
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from KI, Davis, Sedia Systems, SitOnIt, Poppin, HBF, Claridge, Pallas, Concertex and Innovations
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 11, 2018
- EY wavespace Sets Up Shop at Steelcase Asia HQ in Hong Kong - Steelcase is helping EY in Hong Kong by loaning wavespace part of its office and introducing it to the latest Microsoft products.
- Humanscale Launches First-Ever Task Chair Made with Recycled Fishing Nets - Humanscale has come out with the Smart Ocean chair, an adaption of the legendary Diffrient Smart chair.
- Herman Miller Connects Workers to Furniture, the Future - Together, the Live app, desk and Aeron Chair create a new suite of responsive furnishings and tools that offer a more intuitive and active experience of work.
- NeoCon 50: The Mart Marks the Milestone with 10 New Showrooms, Legacy Showroom Expansions & Continued Building Enhancements - This year NeoCon keeps on growing with 10 new permanent showrooms making their debut.
- Nienkämper Celebrates 50 Years - For the last 50 years, Klaus Nienkämper has been in the right place at the right time. The founder and namesake of the Nienkämper furniture brand first benefitted from the infatuation with European furniture in the late 1960s.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "You Say That Your Products are Unique...How About the Way You Operate Behind the Scenes?"
- Stephen Says - "Do I Really Have to Write That I Got Fired on My Resume?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Carvana Offices – Tempe
- Whiteboard - Interview With Steelcase's Christine Congdon / How your Workplace can help Win the Talent War / There will be little privacy in the workplace of the future
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Boss Design, Arcadia, Juniper, Concertex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 4, 2018
- Teknion Enters New Venture with Gus* Design Group - Teknion Corporation has entered into an alliance with Gus* Design Group, a Toronto-based designer and maker of Gus* Modern contemporary residential furnishings suited to contract settings.
- Bigger, Better, Broader: CIFF Continues to Evolve, Improve - If there are three takeaways from the 2018 Guangzhou version of the China International Furniture Fair, those would be good words to describe them. The spring version of CIFF just finished up half way around the world.
- Business Furniture in Indy On a Journey, Yet to Reach Destination - The success of Business Furniture relies on its adaptation; its ability to change and improve over decades. That commitment to adaptation stems from its customers.
- Configura expands "ecosystem," looks to the long-term - Even as Configura expands into diverse markets, the 28-year-old company is looking beyond just "products" specification.
- MRL, Project Matrix, Configura Meet with Manufacturers, Dealers to Streamline Technology - The meeting earlier this month included representatives from Haworth, Herman Miller, Steelcase, OFS and friends from APG Office Furniture, a Herman Miller dealer in Ohio and Tennessee.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Design Firms, Dealers and Manufacturers...and the Challenges of Digital Marketing"
- Stephen Says - "Wear Your Tie, Stupid!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Hyatt Headquarters – Chicago
- Whiteboard - Wellness in 2018: Community and Inclusion Drive Well-being / If These Walls Could Talk: Reinvigorate Your Workplace Culture Through Your Branded Environment / With 5 Generations at Work Together, Flexible Workspaces could be a Blessing to Companies
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from BDI, Arper, Arconas and Arcadia
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - April, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING - What I found: Is there a more welcome oasis in the world than an airline lounge after a grueling 14 hour flight? I don't think so. So excuse me if this review is a bit skewed by jet lag. Travel is no excuse for not working, so it is nice to have a well organized, comfortable space to crack open a laptop and get plugged in after a half a day of being disconnected. The Korean Air Lounge is a great place to do just that if you are facing a layover at this busy airport that feels more like a high end shopping center than a transfer point for travelers.
- FLEXIBLE ORGANIZATIONS - At a time when there is so much change and so many competing needs, everyone is seeking the ability to adapt to and accommodate change. That's why today, every employee and every organization needs a flexible workplace.
- REDEFINING DESIGN - Absolute 47 Aims to Turn Traditional Meeting Spaces into Something Inspiring: Forgoing drab cubicles and hotel conference rooms, Absolute 47's new namesake meeting space is all-inclusive with amenities and immersive experiences that seamlessly infuse state-of-the-art office and ultra-modern collaborative technology.
- BLUEPRINT + CO. BRINGS CLASS TO COWORKING IN NYC - Step inside the Midtown Manhattan space, and you can feel this is a different co-working experience.
- COVER: THE SPARK THAT LIFTS VARIDESK - With the ProDesk 60 Electric, you can go from sitting to standing with the touch of a button.
- A PEEK INSIDE HERMAN MILLER'S NYC FLAGSHIP - The store occupies 6,000 square feet on the first and second floors of Herman Miller's multilevel presence at 251 Park Avenue South in Manhattan.
- WOMEN AT MEADOWS RESHAPE WORKPLACE IN NYC - It is a stunning transformation at the dealership, which has been around for 50 years and has grown into one of Haworth's largest aligned dealers. It's also a testament to the all-female leadership team that is, to put it mildly, tenaciously driven.
- PRODUCT MATTER - The latest and greatest, and not so great products reviewed.
- JLL'S JUST RELEASED U.S. AND CANADA FIT OUT GUIDE - A reference guide that provides average costs to build out three different office layouts in the United States and Canada.
- HOW TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN GREAT EMPLOYEES - Small businesses face a common challenge. According to the 2018 Goldman Sachs "10,000 Small Businesses Summit report," 70 percent of small businesses struggle to find and retain skilled talent. At that rate, this issue is nearly a pandemic among small businesses.
Business of Furniture - March 28, 2018
- UPFRONT: Mamava Collaborates with Steelcase - Mamava and Steelcase have come together to create a compact lactation suite that provides an affordable, easy-install option for office settings.
- Aruba to Tie Together IoT with Industry Help - Smart Digital Workplace's goal is to help organizations create highly efficient Internet of Things-enabled smart buildings that deliver a personalized user experience to improve productivity, collaboration, creativity and flexibility.
- LeanRite Elite Addresses Risks of Standing - A recent study about the health risks of standing desks is gaining buzz just as Chicago-based Ergo Impact prepares to launch its first product.
- CIFF Kicks Off Today in Guangzhou - Most think of CIFF as a true trade fair where deals get inked and furniture orders sealed. It is that, to be sure, but it is also becoming a show where ideas are discussed.
- How the Definition of Flexible Work is Expanding from Where We Work to How We Work - Driven largely by today's millennials who are demanding flexibility in their work schedules, the trend truly applies to all generations of work as society looks to achieve a more fulfilling balance.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "When Leadership Changes, does it Really Make a Difference?"
- Stephen Says - "Trade Show Etiquette 101 for Reps and Execs" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Substantial Offices – Seattle
- Whiteboard - HOK's Tom Polucci on the Forces Reshaping Workplace Design / Are Technology Advances Affecting the Headquarters Location Decision? / SheWorking: Female-Driven Co-Working
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from AIS, OFM, Wolf-Gordon, FLOS and Innovations
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 21, 2018
- Sedia Systems Collaborates with Aircharge for Wireless Tabletop Charging - Sedia Systems and Aircharge are embarking on a landmark partnership that will enable wireless charging of mobile phones and tablets as an optional feature in all of Sedia Systems' fixed table lines.
- Vaaka Partners Invest More in Booming Framery - Private equity investor Vaaka Partners is investing in Framery, the Finnish manufacturer of sound-insulated office phone booths and meeting pods.
- Scale 1:1 is the Right Size to Attract Market - "Contract is a business model full of rules."
- Trump Talks Tariffs, Industry Fears Costs - A few industry leaders are speaking out on the tariff plan, urging President Trump to reconsider his actions. BIFMA acted quickly by sending A letter to President Trump, authored by Executive Director Tom Reardon.
- How Interior Define Has Turned to Custom for a Simplified Take on Furniture Buying - Working within the parameters of an exclusive factory partnership, Interior Define offers entirely custom pieces. In fact, the company uses its exclusive custom model as its premier core competencies.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Just Like 'Cheers' Where Everybody Knows Your Name"
- Stephen Says - "Viscusi's New Guide for Hiring and Retaining the Best Talent" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Editorial - "Tariffs Won't Help Our Industry" - by Rob Kirkbride
- PLACES - Bumble Offices – Austin
- Whiteboard - 3 Ways University And Office Design Are Converging / 5 Essential Design Trends for Every Creative Workplace / The Eight Zones Of The Ideal Office
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from BuzziSpace, Kimball, Gunlocke, Boss Design, and Encore
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 19, 2018 - CIFF Special Edition
- 41st CIFF Guangzhou - The second phase of CIFF (28-31 March 2018), is dedicated to office furniture and seating, hotel furnishing, metal furniture, furniture for public spaces and waiting areas, accessories, materials and machinery for the furniture industry, inaugurating the sector dedicated to furniture for the elderly and tackling the Smart Office topic in depth.
- People work! - They work a lot, they work hard, particularly if their bodies are comfortable. In fact, it has been clearly demonstrated that efficiency requires comfortable spaces that create a sense of wellbeing. The office furniture sector is therefore becoming increasingly successful at CIFF, which is focussing evermore on this area.
- At CIFF the intelligent office is on show - To expert eyes it is clear that the growth in the office sector has been accompanied by a great deal of research into the internet of things; objects that can interact directly with people. In effect, with life becoming increasingly fast-paced, and with very little time available, there is an increasing need for objects that are intelligent, programmable and able to ensure high-level office-people interaction. We are therefore seeing major new brands that can design and manufacture high-performance furniture. For example: Loctek, Jiechang, OMT, Aoke, CONSET, Chuangqi.
- Great comfort in public spaces, waiting rooms and schools - Furniture providing high-level comfort is of the greatest importance for waiting areas. In fact, waiting for planes or trains for extensive periods of time in precarious conditions causes considerable stress. This timeless topic is addressed by the range of items proposed for the school sector. Furniture that is perfect, sturdy and comfortable, able to cope with heavy use by students. So together with major brands like Lijiang, Hongji, Oshujian, a platform will be provided for those dedicated to the school sector, such as Hongsheng, Jubao, Hongyu.
- Furniture made from metal … but intelligent! - CIFF has always given space to the metal furniture sector; high-performance cupboards and safes. This year, as part of the “Steel Boutique Pavilion”, there will be full ranges of high-technology intelligent lock furniture that can ensure usability and unparalleled security levels.
Business of Furniture - March 14, 2018
- When it Comes to Manufacturing, 9to5 Rivals its Innovative Neighbors - 9to5 is literally surrounded by Elon Musk's SpaceX, the billionaire's idea for a private rocket company and other high tech ideas. Most importantly, the neighbors are friendly.
- Steelcase says Steel Tariffs will Impact Them - The company says it does purchase most of its raw steel domestically but some material they need is not available in the US. As a result, the company is likely to experience negative financial impact.
- Rainlight Spawns from HOK Product Design Success - Grossinger and Lykouria met in 2014 and founded Rainlight that year to create an integrated studio spanning London and Los Angeles.
- Sustainable Wood Products Helps Abcor Grow Strong Roots - The company began as a subsidiary of Herman Miller. Its technology first was launched in 1999 as Formcoat, part of Herman Miller's Resolve furniture system.
- The Battle for Benz - The Hülsta Group decided to sell the subsidiary to the Jason Group. With the acquisition, this large furniture producer in China takes one of its first steps in Europe.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Meeting Project Goals: Why Does This Have to be So Hard?"
- Stephen Says - "Struggling to Get an Interview? Maybe it's Your Job Title" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Woods Bagot Offices – New York City
- Whiteboard - Another new survey underscores that skilled workers can pretty much live wherever they want / Data and Design: Finding: The Strategic Needle in an Overwhelming Haystack / Well Living Lab launches extensive study on how indoor environments affect people's lives
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Scale1:1, Frem, Camira, HBF, Concertex and Brentano
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 7, 2018
- Varidesk Launches Height Adjustable Desk Line at Shark Tank Investor's New York Coworking Site - The Dallas-based company has made a name for itself as a retailer of desktop ergonomic products that turn stationary desks into sit-stand models, with more than 1 million of them already sold.
- UPFRONT: Humanscale Names New Chief Marketing Officer - Leena Jain has joined Humanscale as its first ever chief marketing officer.
- West Elm to Terminate Relationship with Inscape - It is unclear what impact, if any, the decision will have on West Elm's work in the contract furniture world.
- Herman Miller Works with Mercy Health to Create Doctor's Office of the Future - Herman Miller turned out to be the right fit because of the company's broad range of products and extensive research on design. The Mercy Health space was designed with the staff in mind. Their workstations are next to oversize windows so they could work in natural light. Each station has a small light that can change to one of five colors to communicate schedules.
- Restauranteur, Former City Commissioner Buy West Michigan Haworth Dealership - Interphase operates a showroom in downtown Grand Rapids along with sales and design offices in Grand Rapids and Traverse City.
- Meadows Office Interiors Creates West Side Showhouse in NYC; Redefines the Office Furniture Dealership - Bursting with technology, fresh ideas and a relentless drive to service nearly every aspect of a customer's office needs, Meadows is redefining what it means to be an office furniture dealer today and in the future.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Your Project Teams (and When too Many Cooks won't Spoil the Soup)"
- Stephen Says - "I'm a Young Mom Thinking About Quitting My Job to Stay at Home With My Kids. Anything Wrong With That?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - CDC Designs Offices – Costa Mesa
- Whiteboard - Remote work is "the new normal" / 3 ways the 'smart office' will change the future of work
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Molteni&C and Groupe Lacasse
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - March, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING - The West Side of Grand Rapids is this hot city's hottest neighborhood right now, turning a working class section of Furniture City into a hipster heaven. When people talked about work on the West Side of Grand Rapids, it historically meant building things in factories along the west bank of the Grand River. Today, the neighborhood is increasingly attracting a new, young, high-tech group of residents and workers, some of them nomads who need a place to work. Enter Corridor Coffee, a new space in one of the neighborhood's historic buildings. As some coffee shops try to dissuade mobile workers from planting themselves in a space for hours at a time (while only spending $5 on a cup of coffee), Corridor Coffee provides a welcome and (mostly) well-equipped space to work.
- HOW CAN YOU MAKE SPACE TRULY FLEXIBLE? - Every employee and every organization needs a flexible workplace. So much is changing, and there are so many competing needs, the ability to adapt to and accommodate change has become foremost. Space needs to be flexible for a variety of reasons. The workforce is more mobile, with 43 percent of U.S. workers working remotely at least part of the week, according to Gallup. Change and choice go together, and people want choices.
- BLOCKCHAIN: A LEDGER FOR BUSINESS - Concerned consumers want to understand the chain of custody that brings bananas to the store year-round. With an honest ledger, everyone would have access to the information they need.
- FLEXIBLE FUTURES: WORKSPACES OF 2030 - The world of work is undergoing a number of fundamental shifts that will have huge implications for every industry, market, region and working adult. We're seeing previously distinct aspects of life begin to overlap, with the boundaries between work, home, leisure, travel and family becoming increasingly blurred.
- RETHINK THE OFFICE KITCHEN - Kitchens with plentiful tables can be a space that hums with concentration and collaboration. Less formal than a conference room and more inviting than a work desk, cafe areas offer an alternative ambiance that has a homey feel.
- PRODUCT MATTER - When it comes to an office chair, you don't want the kind that falls apart after a year or sends you on multiple visits to the chiropractor. You want a useful, comfortable, ergonomic chair. You can go to a big box office retailer and hope for the best. Or maybe you should consider the X-Chair.
- DRESSING FOR WORK MEANS UNDERSTANDING NEW NORMS - Dressing for work in the office looks much different today from 10 or 20 years ago. From business suits and high heels to hoodies and flip-flops, and everything in between, it can be challenging to know what's expected or allowed at work these days.
Business of Furniture - February 28, 2018
- UPFRONT: ASID Releases Interior Design Billings Index 4th Quarter 2017 Report - According to the ASID survey the fourth quarter declined, but otherwise, 2017 showed solid billings growth for the design industry.
- Raised Flooring Companies Combined to Create Global IFS - The TecCrete product line is a recognized industry standard in the raised access floor market for its performance and flexibility.
- COVER: Resimerical Design's Role in A Happier and More Productive Workplace - Common areas are expanding their definition to include fully stocked kitchens, relaxation areas, onsite exercise facilities and more.
- theMART is Planning a Big NeoCon for its 50th Edition - Unlike many other industry events, NeoCon is thriving, arguably stronger than ever having secured its spot as the world's most important interiors industry event.
- Designers Explain How Industry can 'Do it Better' - The important stories behind products like ergonomic chairs and height adjustable tables might be getting lost because of coworking.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "You Can't Buy This on Amazon"
- Stephen Says - "Is It Legal For a Prospective Employer to Ask Me What I Make Now?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF News - Interface Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2017 Results
- PLACES - Bombas Offices – New York City
- Whiteboard - Sound Advice on Workplace Design / What's in Store for the Flexible Office Space Trend? / Step into your New Virtual Office
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Special-T, Carnegie and Innovations
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 21, 2018
- UPFRONT: Dick Resch Pledges $5 Million for University of Wisconsin – Green Bay School of Engineering - Resch says his experience in the paper industry and more than 35 years of leadership at KI showed him the importance of a regional engineering program and higher education in general.
- Bianchi Reflects on Haworth Past, Present, Future - Franco Bianchi says he believes the company is in the right position to capitalize on these changes in the market.
- Nuova Contessa Improves on a Classic - Teknion's Nuova Contessa will come with a number of new features to help designers find a place for it, such as the ability to select conference versions with fixed arms.
- Clarus Moving Beyond Visual Communications - The Fort Worth, Texas-based company has built a business with more than 200 employees and has moved five times in the last eight years.
- CoreNet Chicago Shares a Preview of Rex Miller's New Book - The insightful findings will be found in The Healthy Workplace Nudge, a book that will be released in May.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Good News: The Internet has Changed the Built Environment Forever"
- Stephen Says - "Shake Hands, Don’t Kiss!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF News - Haworth has a Very Good Year / Bene and Neudörfler acquire Hali and Svoboda / NeoCon 50 Announces Marquee Presentations
- PLACES - Gensler Basecamp Offices – London
- Whiteboard - Five Ways to Make Office Spaces Appealing to Millennials / How Holograms Will Disrupt Visual Collaboration in the Workplace / Ending The Myth Of Collaboration
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Allseating, Springboard, Emeco, Frem and Keilhauer
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 14, 2018
- UPFRONT: Bean Counter or Guru: How will Walker be Remembered at Herman Miller? - It is hard to imagine in the history of the office furniture industry a period — the 14 years of Walker's tenure — that was so turbulent and disruptive.
- CIFF Set for Guangzhou - Show organizers say the countless new products on display reflect "the face of a China that is changing rapidly; a China that is increasingly looking to quality, design and innovation" to attract buyers instead of simply providing low-cost commodity products.
- OM Helps VA in California - The VA in Long Beach has been a long-time customer of OM, with thousands of chairs of all kinds installed over many years.
- As You Move More Toward Residential, Residential Moves More Toward Commercial - Copeland Furniture is best described as transitional, neither strictly contemporary nor traditional but rather a combination of elements that incorporate classic proportion with modern simplicity.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Coach Wants to See You...Bring Your Playbook"
- Stephen Says - "Yes, Your Valentine Can Sit in the Next Workstation" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF News - Knoll Sales Drop Nearly 3 Percent for Year Despite Strong Fourth Quarter / HNI Sales Drop Slightly for Year, Askren 'Excited' and 'Optimistic' about 2018 / American Society of Interior Designers Releases 2018 Outlook and State of the Industry Report
- PLACES - Fjord Offices – Helsinki
- Whiteboard - Transforming Your Office into a Desired Destination / Innovating the Office: Technology Trends Changing the Workplace / Top 8 Predictions for the Workplace Experience 2018
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Kartell, JSI, unika vaev
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 7, 2018
- UPFRONT: BIFMA 360° Brought Together Top Slate of Speakers - The main draw of the 360° is the slate of speakers and this year's group was exceptional and fit the event's theme of YOU — leadership, reputation and creativity.
- COVER: Commercial Furniture Transport Moves the Industry Forward in the Big Apple - There are other busy cities in the U.S. where traffic is a problem, but none that approach the logistical challenge that New York poses.
- OE Electrics 'Charges' Forward - We live in a power hungry world. Our phones, laptops and tablets always need charging, whether at our desk or on the go. And an emerging British company, OE Electrics, is there to feed our hunger with some unique products and a desire to move beyond the U.K. market.
- The Future of Buildings is More Change - There is a transition happening from the knowledge work era to the beginning of the knowledge work in the social era.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Did You Get an Invitation to the Wedding?"
- Stephen Says - "Yes, These Letters Are Real!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Brian Walker Plans Retirement as CEO at Herman Miller - Herman Miller, Inc. announced that Brian C. Walker plans to retire as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors by August 31, 2018.
- Varidesk Acquires Stand2Learn; Enters Educational Furniture Market - Varidesk said the acquisition is an important step in its mission to transform the way people of all ages work and interact every day.
- Kimball CEO Schneider: 'Office-Related Verticals were Generally Challenged' in Latest Quarter - The increase in net sales was driven by an increase in the hospitality, government and education vertical markets, partially offset by declines in the health care and other commercial verticals.
- PLACES - Enlisted Design Offices – Oakland
- Whiteboard - The World's Best Companies Offer Workplace Flexibility and Yours Should Too / Caring for The Self – The Hottest UK Workplace Trend / I've Worked Remotely For 5 Years, And It's Stressing Me Out
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Artopex, National, Alea, Maharam and Brentano
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - February, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING - Who wants to work in a mall? It could be easily argued a mall may be the least productive potential workplace. At a traditional mall, that would certainly be true, especially during the Christmas shopping rush. But when you are in downtown Los Angeles on a gloriously sunny day, and the mall is outdoors, there are worse places to set up your laptop prior to a meeting.
- FURNITURE SHOW IN CHINA OUTLINES FUTURE OF THE OFFICE - In a little less than two months, a furniture show in China will change your workplace and the way you work. It may not happen overnight, but the chairs, desks, ergonomic products and other furnishings shown there will reshape the way you work, improve your productivity, make you healthier and create a new look at your office.
- HOW WEWORK WILL DRIVE WORKPLACE INDUSTRY CHANGE IN 2018 - The most dramatic future innovation in this industry will likely come from process innovation, and no single company is defining the process innovation concept better than WeWork.
- COVER: THE RIVETER FOCUSES ON WOMEN AND WORK - While the rise of women-only workplaces has been a trend on the upswing in recent years (proliferated by spaces such as The Wing in NYC and Paper Dolls in Los Angeles), The Riveter is not only providing a supportive and inspiring place for women, it is also inviting men to the table — so to speak.
- HOW ARTS, CULTURE TURNED TO CUTTING EDGE FURNITURE: A CONVERSATION WITH KORAY MALHAN - Koray's own designs for Koleksiyon have gained wide notice for both the aesthetic and philosophical qualities undergirding them, as he has championed a dynamic and non-hierarchical design approach to the work environment.
- BOSS DESIGN HELPS WATES GROUP CONSOLIDATE LONDON OFFICE - When one of the UK's largest, privately owned construction, development and property services companies, the Wates Group, embarked on the refurbishment of its head office, it called upon Boss Design's expertise in workplace design solutions.
- UNDERSTANDING THE DECLINE OF WORKPLACE PROFESSIONALISM: IT'S NOBODY'S FAULT, IT'S EVERYONE'S FAULT - More and more, openly texting during meetings is considered OK. It has become common to see workers stroll in late to meetings with no apology. The office dress code seems to have gone from business casual to resort casual.
- EVERYONE NEEDS A FLEXIBLE WORKPLACE - Flexible work has been on a steady rise. Working remotely has risen from 9% to 37% over the last 20 years according to a 2016 University of Minnesota study.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Marcelo by National Office Furniture / Samsonite EzScan Computer Case / FITUEYES Clear Computer Monitor Riser / BUBM Travel Gadget Organizer Bag
Business of Furniture - January 31, 2018
- UPFRONT: BIFMA Gathers Industry Leaders in Miami - BIFMA Executive Director Tom Reardon opened the first day's session welcoming those gathered to "an event that is like no other in the industry."
- COVER: With Steelcase's new SILQ, Your Body is Part of the Chair Design - The company's materials science breakthrough led to an all-new chair design that intuitively responds to human movement without the use of mechanisms.
- AJK Design Studio: Putting Design in Unexpected Places - For Annie Kantor, when it comes to design, it's all in the details.
- Knoll Debuts Home Design Shop in LA - The Shop features contemporary ideas and palettes for living influenced by Modernist ideas -– background pieces that create a sub-architecture in a dynamic total space foiled against exuberant expressions of classic and new Knoll designs.
- 'It is Core to our Culture' Kinsler Discusses Trendway Give 50 Challenge - Throughout the year, Trendway will feature various company-sponsored volunteer opportunities in the community.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Have You Earned the Right to Tell Your Business Story?"
- Stephen Says - "Just Pick Up the Phone!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Harden CEO Hopes for Rescue from Investor's Crushing Debt Before Sale - After 52 straight years of profitability, Harden saw its revenues cut in half during the Great Recession of 2008 and began losing money
- PLACES - Brixton Capital Offices – Solana Beach
- Whiteboard - Financial companies learning to better utilize office space to attract right talent / How Tech Giants Are Keeping Employees Happy Through Innovative Workspaces / Choice Is The Most Crucial Amenity In The Office Market
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Allseating, izzy+, Luum Textiles, Kimball and Gordon International
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 24, 2018
- UPFRONT: NeoCon Celebrates 50 Years of Tomorrow's Design - Registration is open for the 50th edition of NeoCon, which will take place June 11-13 at The Mart in Chicago.
- COVER: Smed Speaks: 'If You Think I am Going to be Mellow and Docile Now, it ain't Going to Happen' - The company has been quiet about the sudden change in leadership, which not only included moving Smed to the new executive chair position, but also included the ouster of Scott Jenkins.
- Finding Your Way - Understanding there is value to installing smart technology to help people get around enormous corporate structures.
- Smart Workplace Buildings: How to Break Away from Designing in a Vacuum - As part of JLL's Smart Building Program, Yann Palmore helps clients prepare and implement technology platforms driving the next generation of buildings and data-driven facilities management.
- What Were the Popular Office Design Trends of 2017 - Corporate office design trends in 2017 led to greener, more sustainable office environments while accelerating the move toward healthier, more mobile-friendly, open workspaces.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Business is Booming. Now What?"
- Stephen Says - "Dealer Hiring: Try Training for a Change" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - UOOYAA Offices – Shanghai
- Projects - Koleksiyon Furnishes Lounge Zones for Church's Transformation to Co-Working Space
- Whiteboard - People who work in an open plan office feel worse and are less satisfied / Meet The Architect Shining A Light On The Benefits Of Windowed Workspaces / US workers increasingly prioritize flexible working and personal development over status
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from JSI, Arper, Carnegie, Kirei, Maharam, Nevers, and Pallas Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 17, 2018
- UPFRONT: What the Industry Can Learn from CES - Walking around CES, it was obvious and, at times, scary where the future of everyday life is headed.
- 2018 Workplace Design Trends that Increase Comfort and Boost Attraction and Retention - Wouldn't it be great if we had a crystal ball that could predict the hot workplace design products of 2018?
- Helping Business Find the Right Person at the Right Times - How do you craft the perfect team? Nexus A.I., a Chicago-based technology company is working on the answer with artificial intelligence and organizational behavioral science.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "When the Teams Get Lost"
- Stephen Says - "The Furniture Industry's #MeToo Reckoning is Coming" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Edelman's Office Expansion – London
- New Trucking Regulations a Mixed Blessing for Industry - The office furniture industry uses a lot of long-haul, multistop carriers — the group the ELD mandate is expected to hit the hardest.
- Creating a 'Nook' in the Open Office - To say David O'Coimin is excited about the Nook is an understatement, though it doesn't come as a surprise since he is the designer, inventor and "parent" of the product that makes working in the open plan a lot more enjoyable.
- Whiteboard - The Complex Relationship Between Productivity, Technology and Working Anywhere / Twitter Real Estate Chief on the Future of Offices / The Design Whisperers: Decoding Authenticity and Culture in Workplaces
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Teknion
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 10, 2018
- UPFRONT: Humanscale No Stranger to Massive CES in Vegas - The focal points of Humanscale's booth are the new QuickStand Eco platforms, the newest generation of sit/stand furniture using counter-balance weights, rather than electronic motors.
- Montisa Thinks of Itself as a 111-Year-Old Startup - The company was born in 1906 to make steel and wood milking stools. More than 100 years later, it is still trying to solve practical workplace challenges.
- COVER: The Automated Future of Offices - Workplace automation can sound alarming but it's far from a new trend.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Your Secret Sauce for Sales and Project Success in 2018?"
- Stephen Says - "Don't Be a Helicopter Parent, Especially in This Job Market" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Capcom Offices – Vancouver
- Do These Chairs Look the Same? Knoll Sues Allsteel for Alleged Patent Violation - According to the lawsuit, the Lyric Multi-Purpose chair has an "ornamental appearance" almost identical to the ornamental appearance of the MultiGeneration.
- Tech Firm Researches Future of Work through Data - Every company is becoming a technology company, no matter what industry they are in. That is even more true for the office furniture industry because of the close physical connections between the technology equipment in the office and the user.
- Whiteboard - Building on Workplace-Wellbeing / Why C-Suite Office Space Is Being Pared Down / Goodbye Dark, Hello Open, Well-Lit Law Office
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Boss Design
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 3, 2018
- UPFRONT: Workplace Design Positively Influences Health, Wellness, Employee Satisfaction, and Work Performance - ASID researched the impact of innovative workplace design on behavior and performance, how spatial design supports organizational goals and the impact of design.
- COVER: Gasser Gambles on Gaming Seats - In the 1960s, one of the world's largest gaming chair manufacturers got its start. Gasser Chair made bar stools during a time slot machines were played standing up. Eventually, players would pull the bar stools up to the slot machines to keep those streaks going.
- How a Simple Rejection Gave Way to a Million-Dollar Idea - The trio of friends, now accidental entrepreneurs, played around with existing equipment, repurposing parts and modifying the machines for the work environment.
- Sudden Executive Changes at DIRTT Causes Major Stock Selloff - The announcement of a sudden executive shuffle at DIRTT, one of the industry's promising growth companies, stunned investors early Tuesday, leading to a major selloff of its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Don't Forget Those Who Brought You to the Dance"
- Stephen Says - "New Year, New Job? Well, Maybe" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - CMG Offices – Los Angeles
- BoF NEWS - Jasper Group to take over Paoli Plant, Pick Up Workers Paoli LLC will likely wind down operations by the end of February, and during that time Jasper Group will begin bringing in raw materials and finalizing equipment purchases that can be used immediately in its new operation.
- Whiteboard - Activating The Workplace: How Active Workstations Impact How You Think, Perform, And Feel At Work / How The Internet Of Things is Impacting Workspace and Building Design / DLR Group: Trends in Tech-Office Design
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Indiana Furniture
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 20 & 27, 2017
- Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Bellow Press - Wishing you the gifts of the season — Peace, Joy, Hope. May the joy of the holiday be with you in the new year.
- UPFRONT: Steelcase Domestic Sales Drop, Dragged Down by Reduced Demand from Small and Large Customers - Orders in the Americas declined approximately 6 percent in the third quarter compared to the prior year.
- COVER: Rising Demand for Custom Furniture - As the move toward resimercial design — or adding the residential look to a commercial space — becomes the new normal, customization requests are taking on unique new angles.
- Workframe and Outfit Want to Change the Industry - The company was launched in 2015 when the founders took note of the densely populated commercial interiors industry and realized while the industry has focused on product innovation, it has neglected process innovation.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Your Team Will Never Walk Alone When You Model Behavior for Them"
- Stephen Says - "Two Week's Notice is an Old Wives' Tale! It Does Not Exist and Never Has" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - One Legacy West's Communal Space – Dallas
- BoF NEWS - Safco Moving Mayline Production to Iowa When the sale is complete, the company will transfer manufacturing from the leased facility in Sheboygan to the newly purchased Iowa facility during 2018.
- BoF NEWS - Herman Miller Reports Second Quarter Orders at Record Levels Strong demand levels were a clear highlight of the quarter, as orders reflected an all-time record level for the company and grew 10% organically compared to the same quarter last year.
- BoF NEWS - Virco Sales Up, Resumes Dividend / AIA: Architecture Billings Post Strong Growth in November
- Whiteboard - The Future of Workplace Design: The FETCH Model / Hospitality Comes to the Office / Anticipating the Workplace Needs of Generation Z
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Keilhauer
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 13, 2017
- UPFRONT: From Science to Style, Geiger Taper Chair Redefines New High Performance Executive Category - Because of how it was designed, Geiger's Taper chair is different from any other executive chair and any other task chair.
- BREAKING: Knoll Announces Plan to Acquire Muuto - Knoll will pay $300 million in cash for the Scandinavian brand. Muuto products pair seamlessly with the range of modern Knoll designs.
- Science of Product Design: Innovation in Commercial Furnishings - In this month's article — the final one in this series — the sponsor would like to share what it is doing to leverage new technologies, science and data to drive product design.
- HNI to Close Paoli After 91 Years in Business - The plant will begin phasing out operations in January with the process expected to take about a year to complete. "We want to be very transparent in this process to help our people transition."
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "A Christmas Gift That Keeps On Giving"
- Stephen Says - "Bosses Who Refuse to Embrace Technology Lose Talent -- Especially Millennials. It’s that Simple." - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - naked Hub Coworking – Hong Kong
- BoF NEWS - Inscape Sales Sink 15.7%, Posts Loss for Second Quarter / Steelcase Provides Bleak Preview of Upcoming Quarterly Report; Confident Sales Will Turn Around in Quarter Ahead / lauckgroup Designs a New Office with an Emphasis on Company Culture / dancker Unveils Engaging Experience Center
- Whiteboard - What Is Ergonomics and Why Does It Matter? / Shifts in occupier behavior and attitudes to real estate / Agile Working
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Egan, HBF, ICF Group and Designtex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 6, 2017
- UPFRONT: Teknion Leads the Way Downtown in LA - From the 41st floor of a downtown Los Angeles skyscraper, visitors to Teknion's showroom can see the Hollywood sign, and on a clear day, all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
- The Thinking Behind Steelcase's New Munich Hub - Steelcase's new Learning + Innovation Center is just under 40 kilometers from Munich International Airport and is an eight- to 10-minute walk to the main train station. It is near the Königsplatz and the Siegestor gate.
- X-Chair Marks the Spot - The X-Chair is a nice looking chair, but not spectacular in its design. It is a fairly typical looking mesh chair. It is comfortable, works well and is sturdy, but it won't win any design awards; an attractive seat, but not a darling of the design community.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Six Trends for 2018 that Could Provide You with More Sales and Marketing Success Stories"
- Stephen Says - "You're Canceling Your Holiday Party Because Matt Lauer Was Fired? You Have a Bigger Problem" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Glassdoor Offices – Chicago
- BoF NEWS - Boss Design sets the scene at Wates HQ
- Whiteboard - Using the Nuances of Collaboration to Drive Innovation / Providing and Encouraging Purpose at Work / How Technology Can Transform Workplace Humanity
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Arper, Arc-Com, Innovations, Carnegie, Maharam and Wolf-Gordon
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - December/January, 2018
- WHERE I'M WORKING: STEELCASE WORK-LIFE LOUNGE, GERALD R. FORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - I once stood in front of a trash can at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and used the flat top of the bin as a makeshift standing-height desk, my laptop and wrists sitting on the same spot that probably held countless sticky Starbucks coffee spills and discarded Chick-fil-A wrappers. I know the importance of being able to get some work done in an airport.
- COLUMN: THE FLEXIBLE WORKPLACE - Every employee and every organization needs a flexible workplace. Unless, of course, they are in an industry impervious to technological and demographic change, in a business with surplus capital that's not expanding or contracting, with customers who are completely satisfied and employees who all work the same way, have no life outside of work and want to keep doing the same forever.
- HAUTE OFFICE IN THE HEARTLAND: WONDERFUL WORKPLACES AREN'T JUST ON THE COASTS - Columbus, Indiana, is an architectural Valhalla that rises out of the rolling farm fields of central Indiana and is home to Cummins. The company has 9,000 employees in a radius of a few blocks spread across a number of buildings — almost all of them architectural treasures.
- MAKE WORK PLAYFUL, BUT STILL PRODUCTIVE - If your company has only recently moved to a more relaxed atmosphere, it's particularly important to apply the principles of change management to games.
- AN ARMY MARCHES ON ITS STOMACH: HOW FAMILY-STYLE MEALS BOOST CAMARADERIE AND PRODUCTIVITY IN THE OFFICE - When people come together for a meal, good things happen — conversation, laughter, a sense of community.
- DO GOOD: GLOBAL BRAND STRATEGIST ANNE BAHR THOMPSON DISCUSSES HER BOOK ON BRAND - Citizenship, How Companies Espouse It to Enhance Profit and Purpose Brand citizenship also embraces the notion that work doesn't have to be the enemy of life, as the concept of work-life balance advertises.
- CAN A BAD BOSS MAKE YOU HAPPY - This new study is thought to be one of the first to investigate how the negative relationship between emotional exhaustion and happiness can be reversed.
- ATTRACTING MILLENNIAL EMPLOYEES: HOW A DMS BRINGS BETTER TALENT TO YOUR BUSINESS - For the millennial worker, flexibility in the work schedule is more important than ever.
- PRODUCT MATTER - S2S By ESI / Rocketbook Everlast Smart Notebook / Logitech K350 Keyboard
- ENDMATTER | TRIA COMPLETES BIOTECH HQ - Oncorus's new headquarters features an efficient and flexible workspace that supports the company's scientific research mission and reflects the company's branding and culture.
Business of Furniture - November 29, 2017
- UPFRONT: Healthcare Design Stitches Up Market in Orlando - The Healthcare Design Expo and Conference continues to be a favorite among its attendees, from architects to educators to furniture dealers and more.
- Bisley Creates Bespoke Storage Facilities for Historic School - Bisley manufactured and installed brightly colored bespoke fitted furniture for every room in the new school.
- Special-T Launches LINK - The LINK promises to be the answer for those looking for a smartly design, affordable conference/learning, education flip-top table.
- Steelcase to Acquire AMQ Solutions - The acquisition is expected to help Steelcase provide a broader range of price points to meet existing customer needs and serve additional customers globally.
- Stylish and Speedy, MASHstudios Unveils New Furniture Line to Help Companies Express Their Brands - READYMADE was inspired by the clients that came to MASHstudios wanting the commercially produced aesthetic but didn't have the time or budget to invest in furniture from a giant.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "So You Decided to Pull on Superman's Cape"
- Stephen Says - "Hiring Managers Really Do Check References: My Tips" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Education Credit Management Corp. – Oakdale
- BoF NEWS - BIFMA 360° Planned for Miami / Allsteel's Los Angeles Showroom awarded Gold Certification by the international WELL Building Institute / Teknion Honored With a Pair of 2017 Green Good Design Awards
- Whiteboard - Well-Designed Workspaces have a Direct Effect on Productivity / What will my office look like in the future of work? / Why Open-Plan Offices Don't Work (And Some Alternatives That Do)
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Coalesse and TK Studio
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 22, 2017
- UPFRONT: Steelcase Creates New Spaces for Gerald R. Ford International Airport - Designing across generations and traveler types provided an innovative challenge for the Steelcase team as it aimed to create a positive experience tailored to each traveler.
- NeoCon East is Dead, but theMART is Already Planning its Replacement - Show organizers from theMART announced to exhibitors the 2017 edition of NeoCon East would be the last, though they are going to revive it in some way, shape or form in 2019 after collecting input from the industry.
- Lectra's New Virga a Cut Above the Rest - Lectra hosted its 4th annual VIP event, "Industry 4.0 Furniture Goes Digital." This year's attendance was the largest, and not everyone who wanted to attend could.
- Real Estate Trends Spark Analysis of Furniture Trends - The ability to create well thought out spaces that adjust to current and future needs of clients is an art and one that requires a vast understanding of the changing atmosphere and foresight into future needs.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Bet on Your Jockeys, Not Your Horses"
- Stephen Says - "Juliet Has a Job, Will Romeo Understand?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - MobilityWare Offices – Irvine
- Whiteboard - Rethink Office Layouts to Improve Workers' Health / Workspace and Productivity / Should Millennials Prepare for Generation Z In The Workplace?
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Poppin, BuzziSpace and Davis
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 15, 2017
- UPFRONT: CBRE Furniture Forum Wraps Up a Year-Long Study - In a post-event survey 80 percent of respondents said they learned something new, while 87 percent said they would try something new in their own furniture process as a result of the discussion.
- Variety in the Workplace - With a workforce that includes all generations from baby boomers and Gen X workers to millennials and Gen Z employees, offices should incorporate a range of spaces that accommodate the diverse preferences and working habits found across generations.
- BREAKING NEWS: Fellowes Acquires ESi - The combination of Fellowes Brands and ESi advances Fellowes Brands' strategic expansion toward broad business solutions that help professionals be at their best through organization, productivity and wellness.
- Configura Conference Held in Las Vegas - Configura takes its conferences seriously by taking what it learns from users at the event and making its product better.
- NeoCon East Opens Today: What Kind of Show Will We See - As NeoCon East opens today at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, many in the industry are watching and waiting to see what this event becomes.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Give Your Clients Recipes and They Will Invite You to Dinner"
- Stephen Says - "A Headhunter's Secret Tip List for Electronic Interviews" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - AMC Networks Offices – London
- BoF NEWS - Walker, Hackett Featured Speakers at Michigan CEO Summit in Detroit / DIRTT launches multi-user virtual reality app for construction; explore and modify before you build / Highlights from SuperDesign at the Architecture & Design Film Festival
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from SpecialT, Kimball, Camira and Byrne
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 8, 2017
- UPFRONT: October: Furniture Industry Remains Solid - The survey measures the business activity of the commercial (office, education, health care and hospitality) furniture industry and its suppliers. It was completed during October 2017.
- Steelcase's Keane Leads Panel About how to Employ Design Thinking - Keane and his colleagues have used in design thinking, highlighting design thinking as part of a thought process to create change and movement within an organization.
- EDspaces Continues to Grow - EDspaces was a 3-day show filled with educational sessions, a very lively exhibit floor, facility tours and networking events, like the "Nothing But Net(working)" at EDfest.
- Science of Product Design: Innovation in Commercial Furnishings - The innovation process is necessarily an iterative process. An innovative idea is sparked. Blood, sweat and tears are the work required for it to become reality. At some point, it reaches the market.
- Mind Into Matter: How the Psychology of Color Impacts Allseating's Design Process and Products - Based on extensive research, color and its intensity have proven to influence employee mood — a finding important to both employers and designers.
- Connectrac Connects Pittsburgh Airport - Airports are going through a revolution similar to offices. Instead of simply installing banks of seats at gates, airports are beginning to think about different uses for different areas, depending on how long the traveler will be in that space.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "And You Thought You Were Finished"
- Stephen Says - "Don't Leave So Quickly! Find Your Place in Interiors!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - AdGear Offices – Montreal
- BoF NEWS - DIRTT Announces Record Q3 Revenue / Kimball International Reports First Quarter Sales Decline / 'Severely Constrained' Economy can be Fixed by Millennial Productivity
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Boss Design, Bretford and ERG International
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - November, 2017
- WHERE I'M WORKING - Engine Coffee, 331 Huangpi Nan Lu, Xintiandi, Shanghai, China. What I found: It's not easy to find fast, efficient public Wi-Fi in China, even in the mega-city's hippest neighborhood, Xintiandi. At S. Engine, good coffee was plentiful. Easy-to-access internet and a comfortable place to work was not.
- FLEXJOBS IDENTIFIES THE TOP 10 CAREER FIELDS FOR FLEXIBLE JOBS - With the number of U.S. job postings reaching an all-time high recently, and seasonal holiday hiring in full swing, there are many opportunities for job seekers to explore. To help those job seekers interested in finding flexible jobs, FlexJobs has identified the top 10 job categories with the most flexible job postings in the FlexJobs 2017 database. A "flexible job" is defined as a professional-level job that has a telecommuting, flexible schedule, part-time or freelance component.
- ANALOG WORKPLACE - THE COUNTER-CULTURE - Oh technology, will we always have a love-hate relationship with each other? The constant beeping and screen gazing is great when there are loved ones to stay in touch with or high school friends to stalk. But our devices can quickly feel like the loved one who's overstayed a welcome. Balance is hard.
- BCG HUDSON YARDS OFFICE PROVES BIGGER CAN BE BETTER - The new BCG offices at 10 Hudson Yards work because of the detail in the office design. Stairways connect collaborative areas in the office where employees are empowered to work. Wood and casual furniture soften the modern new office space. Technology is used throughout to make it easier to book unassigned desks and conference rooms.
- KITCHEN WISDOM MOVING INTO THE OFFICE : USING MISE EN PLACE TO INCREASE WORKER PRODUCTIVITY - All the best chefs in the world use a system called mise en place, a French term meaning everything in its place. It's about being well prepared before the restaurant opens or before cooking a recipe — ingredients collected, prepped or measured, pans in place, an orderly plan for the day. The technique is taking root in office settings, too.
- THINKING ABOUT DESIGNING YOUR WORKPLACE AROUND MILLENNIALS? STOP! - A lot of ink has been spilled about millennials, their "unique" characteristics and how best to attract, engage and support them in the workplace. The research is vast, and viewpoints are abundant.
- WINE SEMINARS UNCORK COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION - The success of Watson's seminars are highly dependent on the group she is working with and their ability to interact with their senses and one another.
- WHY BEING INTERRUPTED IS MOST LIKELY YOUR FAULT - It is time for a self-check-in if you are falling victim to the interruptions.
- PRODUCT MATTER
- DESIGN FOR HEALTH & WELLBEING SUMMIT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- ENDMATTER | FOSTER + PARTNERS - JUST COMPLETED
Business of Furniture - November 1, 2017
- UPFRONT: The HON Company New York City Showroom Relocates to Tin Pan Alley - The new facility is full of a variety of furniture vignettes and spirited color palettes, including a fabric and finish display that takes inspiration from the landscape of HON's hometown in Muscatine, Iowa.
- Workplace Analytics as a Powerful Tool for Innovation - Work hasn't changed much since the post-industrial World War II revolution, with many of today's workplaces still operating similar to assembly lines.
- Zoom.ai Hits Ground Running with New Personal Assistant Platform - Does having a personal assistant seem like a dream? There's one company making it a reality for all employees in the contemporary workplace.
- Configura User Conference Begins Next Week - The event will be held once again in Las Vegas, the site of the original CET Designer User & Developer Conference (it was held in Grand Rapids and Orlando in the years in between).
- BoF News - Market-Ready Solutions Awaits NeoCon East Attendees
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Are Your Customers Making You Better?"
- Stephen Says - "Have You Ever Seen a CEO in Sweatpants? Me Neither!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Retail Design Collaborative Offices – Long Beach
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Custer Expansion / Koleksiyon's Design Award / Allsteel's Jan Johnson Speaker at Corenet Summit / Khameleon New Cloud Solution / National names Allan Klotsche as its New President / Premier Office Solutions adds to Team / Spellman Brady Promotes Jen Sheehan / Puccini Group Names Three New Studio Directors / IDSA Members Elected to WDO Board / Mike Tucker Named President of Association / Sruthi Srinivasan / Daniel F. Pepersack
- Whiteboard - Three Rules For Creating Workplace Rituals To Improve Company Culture / Research Says Companies That Do This One Thing Increase Worker Productivity by 25 Percent / 2018 Workspace Trends
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from National and ERG
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 25, 2017
- UPFRONT: Karton: Is the World Ready for Furniture Made Out of Cardboard? - The design firm behind Karton is responsible for some of the most original and imitated pieces of cardboard furniture.
- Configura Opens New Grand Rapids Headquarters - The new office is triple the size, giving Configura room to grow even more. And it is much better suited to the collaborative nature of software design.
- How One Company is Driving Innovation in the Furniture-Buying Process - Swivelfly works on a subscription model, with payment based on the number of employees in an office.
- Emagispace: It's Like Legos for the Office - EmagiBlocks work perfectly for creating space on movie sets and in the office, but they also work well for trade show booths and disaster relief — really interior construction of all kinds.
- Saloni WorldWide Moscow 2017 Ends on High Note After Squaring Up to Russian Market - This year marked the 13th edition of the Salone Satellite WorldWide Moscow, involving 37 young designers from Russia and the former Soviet Republics.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Focus On What Matters. Leave the Rest"
- Stephen Says - "You Really Love Your Job? For Some People That Might Be Hard to Believe" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF News - Knoll Reports Flat Third Quarter Results / HNI Corporation Sales Grew 2% in the Third Quarter
- PLACES - Kpler Offices – Le Sentier - Paris, France
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Allseating Fundraising Initiative / ICF New Dallas Showroom / Ultrafabrics Earns Certification / WIPP Awards Recognize Sen. Joni Ernst & Exceptional Women Leaders / Allsteel at Greenbuild 2017 / KAI Design & Build Hires Kennedy Yanko / Camira Adds to Sales Team / Luxor Announces Paul Roche as President / Usman Tariq HDR's LA Studio / KAI Design & Build Hires Three
- Whiteboard - Suburban Offices Are Cool Again / Building a Culture of Creativity that Unites the Physical and Digital Workplaces / Psychology in the Workplace
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Humanscale, Waddell, Chief, Wolf-Gordon, Brentano and Carnegie
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 18, 2017
- UPFRONT: Workrite 'Family' Devastated by California Fires - Several Workrite employees lost their homes. Luckily, none of those employees lost their lives.
- A BOLD Move in New York City - Crye Precision was looking for a height-adjustable desk for its offices but didn't want one that would look the same as everyone else's.
- Inspired by an Illustrious Past, COCO Adapts to Serve a New Generation - Built in 1903 and spanning an entire city block, the Minneapolis Grain Exchange was a marketplace to promote fair trade of wheat, oats and corn.
- BoF Top News - Goodmans Acquires WORKspaces in Phoenix / Inscape and West Elm Workspace Renew Partnership
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Create Compelling Messages Your Clients Can't Ignore"
- Stephen Says - "Changing Your Career? It's Easier Than You Think" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Airbnb HQ Expansion – San Francisco
- BoF PULSE NEWS - OMT-Veyhl USA Hosts Three Schools / Workwell Partners Hope For The Warriors / National Office Donates Benches / Versa Wallcovering Taps Metro to Distribute / Inscape Vice President of Marketing / Spellman Brady Hires Samantha Golden / Richard M. Miller Joins Hoefer Wysocki / IDSA Executive Director to Retire
- Whiteboard - Make Your Workplace Data Work for You: Keys for Data-Informed Strategies / How the WELL Building Standard Is Changing HOK's Approach to Design / Office Design Could be Affecting Staff Performance
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from LightArt, Kirei and Keilhauer
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 11, 2017
- UPFRONT: CBRE Furniture Forum Seeks to Solve Client Pain Points with Explorations in Multiple Cities - What started as an industry-wide discussion in one market has extended, and the conversation is getting deeper and increasingly thought-provoking.
- Bisley Opens Expanded Big Apple Showroom - Over the last three years, Bisley has secured clients like Unilever, L'Oreal, Verizon and Uber, and is currently working on projects across North America.
- Havenly Makes Design Accessible to All - Technology offers new opportunities through innovation, and the furniture industry is tapping in. While technological advances seem more apparent, the contract furniture segment demonstrates both sides of the market can learn from each other.
- THE SCIENCE OF PRODUCT DESIGN - Product Design for the Circular Economy - The office furniture industry has a long track record of leading the way in learning how to care for this little round ball we call "home." A MONTHLY SERIES SPONSORED BY LOGICDATA
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Making Your Pitch a Conversation"
- Stephen Says - "Are Your Employees Trying to Extort You for More Money? Fire Them!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Guest Opinion - "Why I Cringe at the 'Dealer Label'" - by Scott Lesizza
- BoF News - Dancker Acquires Office Furniture Partnership / Flexsteel Breaks Ground on Dubuque Manufacturing Facility
- PLACES - The Points Guy Offices – New York City
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Peopledesign 20 Years / CIFF Shanghai 2017 Dynamism / Allsteel and Henricksen Host Event / National Receives Navy Purchasing Agreement / U.S. Green Building Council Climate Leadership Awards / in2design Announces New Rep / Two Join Kentwood Office
- Whiteboard - When Working From Home Doesn't Works / The Office Gets Remade, Again / The True Cost of Noise
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Boss Design, Lux Lighting, HBF, Poppin, Obex, Smith & Fong, Arc-Com, Wolf-Gordon, Pallas Textiles, Unika Vaev and Magnuson Group
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - October 4, 2017
- UPFRONT: London Design Festival Stretches Across City - With more than 400 events stretching across the capital from Decorex in Syon Park in the west to the edgier Shoreditch Design Triangle in the city's east end, it is only possible for a person to scratch this nine-day event's surface.
- Event Focuses on Empathy in Design - Empathy is an important component of the design thinking process used to solve complex problems in the world.
- Lacing Things Up at Zappos: A Look Inside One of the Most Innovative Offices and How it Works - From the entrance of the Zappos headquarters, the culture is immediately felt and seen. To enter any part of the office, employees and guests must go through doors in a semicircular courtyard, encouraging interaction among those entering and leaving the office.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "What are Your Customers' Unanswered Questions?"
- Stephen Says - "Don't Be Embarrassed of Your Retail Job, and Definitely Don't Leave it Off Your Resume" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Trend Micro Offices – Austin, Texas
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Interior Workplace Solutions Acquires Creative Business Interiors / 109 Brands in Salone del Mobile.Milano Shanghai / Miller Named for Leadership in Family Benefits / Artopex Launches New Website / Poppin Signs Lease / "Last call" to enter CET Designer Awards / in2design New Rep Group / KAI Assembles New Interior Design Team / KI Names Bryan Ballegeer as Regional Education Leader / Indiana Furniture New VP Chad Nord / Kimball Personnel Addition / The Buildings Show
- Whiteboard - Moving Beyond Open Plan Spaces / Why we need to Design Work to feel like an Experience and not like a Transaction / The Benefits of Ancillary Spaces in the Modern Workplace
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Buzzispace, Carnegie and HBF Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - October, 2017
- WHERE I'M WORKING - Often while traveling there can be a few extra hours between checking out of the hotel and the flight home. This was the case with a recent trip to Las Vegas after the National Ergonomics Conference when I had a couple of hours to kill. As a fan of strawberry milkshakes and having a need to get caught up on emails, I set out to find a place that would fill both needs.
- MICROSOFT ENVISION HIGHLIGHTS STEELCASE CREATIVE SPACES - Jim Keane, Steelcase CEO, and Ryan Gavin, General Manager of Microsoft Surface, demonstrated the power of integrating space and technology. Often, organizations think about real estate and technology strategies separately. By working together, Steelcase and Microsoft have created a holistic solution to empower people and organizations to be more creative.
- MODULAR CONSTRUCTION - SAVING BIG - Building large structures is a feat. The amount of time, money, and materials can be measured on a monumental scale. What if there was a better, more efficient way? Increasingly, there is. With prefabricated construction becoming commonplace, the ability to bring down costs is very real.
- WILLIS TOWER TRANSFORMATION IS WORKER FOCUSED - The 33rd and 34th floors are finished and have been transformed into spectacular tenant floors — a combination of informal meeting areas, a cafe and bar, conference room and fitness center. Work begins this fall on the 66th and 67th floors that will include more tenant-only facilities with a slightly more upscale fit and finish for the professional firms that fill the higher floors of the building.
- AN OFFICE OASIS FOR FOCUSED WORK - Collaborative environments have become the gold standard across virtually every business sector, but sometimes open layouts can ignore the very real need for quality monotasking. Workers can benefit from a change of scenery when they want to block out unwanted noise and interruptions.
- THE BIRTH OF A BOSS OFFICE CHAIR: TRINETIC EXPLAINED - "There's not been a massive amount of innovation in the task chair sector over the course of the last 20 years, and I think that if we, as an industry of designers, are brutally honest with ourselves, we've all just spent 20 years evolving the Aeron concept."
- PRODUCT MATTER - This month we look at ZOOM Cloud Meetings, Office FootFidget, the MicroSoft Arc Touch Mouse and the Kensington Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball.
- WHAT WE LEARNED: CIFF SHANGHAI - The market in China is shifting slightly from an outward focus to an inward focus. Chinese office furniture makers understand there is money to be made making furniture for North American and European brands, but also by focusing on the increasingly sophisticated domestic market.
- ENDMATTER - ICONIC CHICAGO POST OFFICE GETS A LONG-AWAITED RENOVATION BY GENSLER It is currently the largest redevelopment in the United States.
Business of Furniture - September 27, 2017
- UPFRONT: KI Outfits Sports Med Facility in Titletown - If Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers twists an ankle at Lambeau Field, he doesn't have to hobble very far to find one of the most state-of-the-art sports medicine facilities in the world — and it's outfitted almost completely with KI furniture.
- Coworking Gains Footing in Shanghai at Naked Hub - Naked Hub is part of the Naked Group, which was established in 2007 and is focused on lifestyle and hospitality products, from unique eco-friendly resorts to immersive learning to creative workspaces.
- Will Contract Furniture Embrace eCommerce? - In a recent conversation with a young specifier over coffee, she shared her frustrations with contract furniture manufacturers' selling process.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "That All You Got?"
- Stephen Says - "Love Me or Hate Me, You're Gonna Need Me" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Playster Offices – Montreal
-
BoF NEWS -
Herman Miller Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2018 Sales Decline
Reported net sales in the quarter totaled $580.3 million, a decrease of 3.1% from the same quarter last fiscal year. - BoF PULSE NEWS - Allsteel Named Winner / Nation Receives Award / NeoCon East / ASID Board / GVSU Design / Zeftron Nylon Website / Schroeder Solutions Expands
- Whiteboard - Outdoor Space? Yes, please! / People who work in coworking spaces believe they are more productive / Office Makeovers may be Needed; Millennials want Flexible Spaces
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from HBF and LUUM Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 20, 2017
- UPFRONT: What We Learned: CIFF Shanghai - What you think you know about the Chinese office furniture industry is almost certainly wrong or at least changing. The Chinese furniture market of the past was focused on serving the North American and European manufacturers. Now it is heading to market with ideas of its own and has turned toward serving the end user.
- Steelcase to Partner with FLOS; Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams - The relationships with the two companies will give Steelcase dealers easier access to the ancillary products becoming more and more important in the industry.
- Out of Darkness Came Light: Sensitile Interactive Lighting Surfaces Designed to Engage and Delight - For Abhinand Lath, out of the darkness came light. To which he added shadow and created a sense of movement.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "I'll be your CAD Monkey .... Just Keep the Checks Coming"
- Stephen Says - "Your President Can't Commute By Plane! If They Won't Move Their Lives, They Shouldn't Get the Job" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Echo Global Logistics Offices – Chicago
-
BoF NEWS -
Steelcase Reports Flat Second Quarter Results
The current quarter reflected increased discounting and incentives, higher commodity costs, investments in support of product development and manufacturing agility, and unfavorable shifts in business mix. -
BoF NEWS -
Virco Reports Improved Results
Strong order rates in spring and early summer translated into profitable revenue growth for the second quarter and first six months. - BoF PULSE NEWS - Trendway Employees Support Hurricane Survivors / Karndean Designflooring Hurricane Relief / SurfaceWorks Awarded Purchasing Group Contract / Knú Contract | La-Z-Boy Meets BIFMA Certification / National Office Furniture Recognized / Level Reps & Flipside Join ESI / Kimball Personnel Addition / MRL New President
- Whiteboard - Approachable Technology in the Workplace / It's the Workplace, but not as We Know It / What Workplaces Can Learn From College Campuses
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Okamura and Innovations
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 13, 2017
- UPFRONT: CIFF Off to Strong Start in Shanghai - CIFF started its four-day run Monday with larger crowds and smarter office furniture offerings than the first three years after organizers moved it to China's largest and most cosmopolitan city.
- CIFF Gala Celebrates Two Decades and Two Cities - The Chinese International Furniture Fair, CIFF, kicked off Sunday night with an opening gala commemorating 20 years of CIFF and its 40th session.
- LinkedIn's Innovative Approach to Health and Wellness - As a direct result of these wellness initiatives, LinkedIn has found 75 percent of its employees feel more loyal to their company.
- Putting Technology Into Our Furniture, or... The Science of Product Design - There have been two opposing camps in the argument concerning whether or not commercial furniture manufacturers should integrate technology into their products.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "What About Your Project and Design Feedback Loop?"
- Stephen Says - "Hurricane Distracting You At Work? Help However You Can!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Pageant Media Offices – London
- BoF NEWS - Inscape Announces Fiscal Year 2018 First Quarter Sales Fell / Landscape Forms Acquires Kornegay Design
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Wilsonart to Acquire KML / NeoCon 2018 Call For Presentation / Los Angeles Building Expo / La-Z-Boy Healthcare - Knú Contract Awarded GPO Contract / 3form Names VP / Megan Winters Joins Kentwood / Michael Wildermuth Joins Vocon
- Whiteboard - Workplace Designers Embrace Technology and Data to Benefit Workers / No Need To Worry About Robots Replacing Human Workers? Look At History / When Less is More and Less is a Bore
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Kimball
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - September 6, 2017
- UPFRONT: Clarus Glassboards Spearheads Effort to Help Houston Hurricane Victims - For a company like Clarus Glassboards that is based in Texas, the catastrophic hurricane truly hits home. Clarus is challenging the industry to step up and help those suffering in Houston with a call to action. The company is "putting our money where our mouth is," matching every dollar donated until it reaches its $250,000 goal.
- AIS Settles Into Renovated Facility in Leominster, Massachusetts - The recently renovated factory and office space is headquarters to the $175 million office furniture company that proudly calls New England its home.
- CIFF Returns to Shanghai - CIFF is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the theme "Better Life, Better Work." "Create a Lively Workspace" is the name of the pavilions dedicated to office furniture, which is proving to be one of the largest and most important showcases in eastern China.
- ErgoExpo Educates: Proper Ergonomics can Increase Bottom Line - At this year's National Ergonomics Conference, ergonomists from around the globe learned how ergonomics also means an increase in employee productivity which can add to the company's bottom line.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "A Transparent Culture Changes Everything"
- Stephen Says - "Not Getting Interviews? It's Your Resume, Stupid!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Northland Controls Offices – Milpitas
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Spec Planting Trees / J+J Certified as Zero Waste / IDEC Awarded Chilewich Education Award / Washington, DC Named First LEED Platinum City / Solomon Coyle Dealer Training / New Sales Director Joins NeoCon / Baresque USA hires Douglas Shantz
- Whiteboard - Five Smart Building Features Transforming Today's Workplace / Confirmed: Good Workplace Design Fosters Innovation / That was then - This is now
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from eko
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - September, 2017
- WHERE I'M WORKING - It is a cute place, but Little Cupcake Bakeshop is definitely not set up for a mobile worker. There are a few marble tables pleasant enough to work on for a short spell, but I could find no plugs along the wall for charging a laptop or phone.
- THE NEXT DRIVER OF WORKPLACE DESIGN? COLLEGE STUDENTS - Young professionals have spent the last four to six years on college campuses, where they've been socializing, studying and working. Fast-forward to graduation. Their expectations for corporate work environments are strikingly different than the average workplace in which they will start their professional careers.
- CAPITAL ONE WORK ENVIRONMENT SURVEY FINDS PROFESSIONALS WANT CHOICES TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY - The Capital One survey asked 2,500 full-time office professionals to share their preferences and priorities when it comes to workplace design, environment and benefits. They were given questions about what workplace features are most important to them, if their office accommodates their preferred work styles and how important workplace design is relative to the location of the office.
- IF SITTING IS THE NEW SMOKING HERE ARE 7 STEPS TO A HEALTHIER WORKFORCE - Most companies still haven't taken some of the easiest steps to attract and retain great people while simultaneously improving the health and productivity of their workforce.
- IS YOUR JOB SAFE FROM AUTOMATION? NOPE. (BUT THERE IS HOPE) - Are American communities vulnerable to automation? Yes, they are, but that's not necessarily a bad thing according to Dr. Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University.
- SMARTDOLLAR MAKES SENSE OF FINANCIAL WELLNESS FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE WORKPLACE - Within the workforce, plenty of generational differences exist between millennials, Generation X and baby boomers, including discussing the issue of money in the office. According to surveys by SmartDollar, today millennials actually expect their employers to assist them with financial education.
- PRODUCT MATTER - This month we look at the Mophie powerstation USB-C XXL, Tech Armor MacBook Pro Privacy Screen Protector, and Liquid-Armour, a product to help protect your various screens from being scratched.
- HOW A FURNITURE SHOW IN SHANGHAI WILL SHAPE YOUR OFFICE - Chances are furniture being shown this month in Shanghai will end up in your office and home. Other shows might better define trends in the office, but CIFF is where those trends become actual pieces of furniture.
- ENDMATTER: IN MEMORIAM: MAX DE PREE, 1924-2017 - The last member of a generation that helped usher in modern design in the workplace, passed away.
Business of Furniture - August 30, 2017
- UPFRONT: MyResourceLibrary Releases Latest Version; Continues to Gain Momentum - The new version is a massive reboot of the online catalog that has gained serious traction in the industry in recent years.
- ErgoExpo 2017 - The conference and expo, held last week in Las Vegas at the Paris Hotel and Convention Center, was sparsely attended despite a larger venue.
- Kickoff of the CBRE Washington D.C. Furniture Forum Uncovers Consistent Challenges - Participation on this panel was extended to key individuals recommended by industry peers as well-respected, knowledgeable in the furniture process and most importantly: open-minded.
- Capital One Work Environment Survey Finds Professionals Want Choices to Inspire Creativity - The Capital One survey asked 2,500 full-time office professionals to share their preferences and priorities when it comes to workplace design, environment and benefits.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Is Being Remarkable Still Possible?"
- Stephen Says - "Is Your Lazy Boss Phoning It In? Here's What to Do" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Jellyfish Offices – London
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Haworth Awarded / Kimball Welcomes New Dealer / Contemporary Office Interiors Acquires Workplace Resource / LearnLaunch and EDmarket Collaborate / Powder Coat Line Will Increase Efficiency at OMT-Veyhl USA / Designtex Events During New York Textile Month / Landscape Forms New Hires / AIS Announces Additions / New Sales Rep for Cortina Leathers / MAC Contract Joins izzy+ / NIHD Selects HDR for Research Grant
- Whiteboard - Millennials Opening the Doors to Communal Modern Workspaces / Barclays using Sensors in Workplace as Cost-Cutting Measure / What Douglas Adams can Teach us about Workplace Design
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from HBF & Space Copenhagen, Quartertwenty, Brentano and Concertex
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 23, 2017
- UPFRONT: North American Innovation Design Series Ready to Expand in 2018 - The first North American Innovation Exhibition is prompting the organizers to gather the best and brightest companies in London again in May 2018 — and expand the initiative to other important global markets.
- Eclipse 2017 Watching - Work everywhere took a back seat to eclipse watching on Monday. It was a beautiful day to get out of the office, breathe some fresh air and watch the sun disappear for a few minutes.
- Enwork sees more Competition as Opportunity to Improve - Though Enwork was one of the first to really push height-adjustable tables in North America, it certainly isn't alone today.
- Cycle of Life: Why Using Recyclable Materials is No Longer Enough to Protect the Environment - The world is clogging up with its own discarded plastic. This is despite the fact some of the most common sources of this waste are made from ostensibly recyclable materials.
- Materiality Just as Important as Design in the Office - Coalesse, Steelcase's high-design brand, has evolved into a mindset — they build the products but leave it up to the designer and customer to really put their stamp on it.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Buckle Up: You will Soon be Designing to Accommodate Something You Can't See"
- Stephen Says - "Can Getting Drunk One Night Follow You Forever?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF News - ASID Interior Design Billings Index (IDBI) June 2017 Report
- PLACES - Dealer Tire Offices – Cleveland
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Teknion Partners with DFurniture / Humanscale Net-Positive Future / Kimball Welcomes Dealer / Industry West HQ Expansion / Teknion Showrooms LEED Certified / Obex Binder Goes To The Cloud / IOA Representation Changes / HPFi New Representation / Inscape Additions / Kimball Addition / Film highlights of ADFF:NY
- Whiteboard - How Workplace Design Shapes and Reflects Organizational Hierarchies / Secure Rooms: Taking Privacy to a Whole New Level in the Office / Mobilizing the Workplace to Attract and Retain Employees
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from HON, Maharam and Boss Design
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 16, 2017
- UPFRONT: OMT Veyhl Continues West Michigan Expansion - Advanced machinery helps OMT Veyhl keep costs competitive with the flood of overseas manufacturers coming into North America with height-adjustable products.
- In Memoriam: Max De Pree 1924-2017 - During his tenure as the chief executive, Herman Miller nearly tripled its sales, erected architecturally striking new buildings and manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and beyond.
- How Young is Too Young for Sit-Stand? - Because of the ergonomic and health benefits they deliver, standing desks are now ubiquitous in office environments, higher education and right on down to elementary schools.
- ErgoExpo Moves from Ancient Rome to Paris (Las Vegas) - The National Ergonomics Conference & ErgoExpo has increased in size so much since it started in 1994, this year it will have to move to a new home. Held annually in Las Vegas, the event will start Tuesday and run through Aug. 25.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "What Industry Experts are Saying About Who Could be Your Best Sales Guides"
- Stephen Says - "Viscusi's Rules to Interview Follow-ups: They Must Be Sent Within 24 Hours" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF News - NeoCon East Builds on NeoCon Momentum with 4 Powerful Keynotes
- PLACES - Wearable tech company in San Francisco
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Kimball Certified / ASID Business Conditions Webinar / China's Sinolinear Launches HumanMotion / National Receives REACH Award / Systems Inventory of Steelcase Sit Stand Desks / Staffelbach Merges into Minneapolis-based DLR Group
- Whiteboard - Meaningful Workplace Decisions Require Accurate Data / Seven ways in which Flexible Working is making our Lives more Rigid / The latest RAND survey paints a disturbing portrait of the American workplace
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest offerings from Innovations Design Studio, Marcel Wanders, Unika Vaev and Lux
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 9, 2017
- UPFRONT: Vioski Breaking into Contract Soft Seating Market - Vioski didn't enter the contract market as much as they were pulled into it. The company has a unique style that fits well in the contract market — what Vioski calls "new century modern," a contemporary twist on mid-century modern styling.
- Symmetry Office Balances Price with Performance for Success - Symmetry is just seven years old, but has succeeded by creating niche products dealers can blend into their offers — products with more margin and products more focused on the changing office.
- brightspot Helps Create Engaging Workplaces - A bright spot has arrived. It is a New York-based firm that fits somewhere in the middle of the industry by finding ways to increase productivity and engagement at some of the country's top companies.
- The Science of Product Design (A Monthly Series Sponsored by LOGICDATA) - AI and EI Taking the Product Design Process to Another Level - Being an industrial designer in the office furniture industry has never been easy. And while it is not going to get any easier, it is moving to a higher plane.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "How Do We Turn What We Know into What We Do?"
- Stephen Says - "You're Asking If It's Okay to Hook Up Online During the Work Day? Are You Kidding Me?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF News - July Furniture Industry Index Is Up Again! / Kimball sees Sales Climb 5% Year-over-Year / DIRTT Announces Q2 Revenue Growth and Value Increase on Major Contract
- PLACES - Irish bank AIB in Dublin, Ireland
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Configura Announces Details of 10th Annual CET Conference / DARRAN Furniture Participates in White House Small Business Event / OFM Website Launched / National Office Furniture Receives ISO Certification / American Society of Interior Designers Announces Awardees / Chris Latham joins Carnegie
- Whiteboard - Can't Stand Your Obnoxiously Noisy Office? 4 Architects Share Their Quiet Hacks / New Workplace Design Trends Promote Well-Being, Collaboration And Flexibility / The state of the workplace right now? Everywhere and nowhere, baby
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest products from HBF, Magnuson Group
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - August 2, 2017
- UPFRONT: Egan Has New Owners; New Focus on the Future - Longtime Egan executive Sean Brown and a small group of investors purchased Egan and have big plans for the Toronto-area company. Even though Egan is celebrating its 50 year anniversary with its "Egan 50" tag, inside the company another motto is circulating: "50 Forward," a call to action for its employees and promise to its customers that Egan isn't resting on its past.
- Officeworks Acquires Workplace Environments - Officeworks purchased Workplace Environments from Sherri Krensel and Jean Harper. They started the dealership 20 years ago and grew it into a $20 million business.
- Alur Walls Building on Success - ALUR is relatively new to the market — it was founded five years ago — but it has already made a mark, especially in the highly competitive New York market.
- Boss Design Brings Comfort and Style to Historic Library in Reading, Mass - Boss Design — in conjunction with Total Office Interiors, Boston, Massachusetts — supplied soft seating solutions for quiet zones and group environments throughout a library in Reading, MA.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Facts About the Changing Customer Journey that Should Keep You Up at Night"
- Stephen Says - "My Co-Worker Screams At His Wife on His Work Phone! No, I am Not Kidding." - by Stephen Viscusi
- Insight - Michael A. Dunlap - A New Approach
- BoF News - Knoll Second Quarter Sales Fall 8.8% / Interface Reports Second Quarter 2017 Results / 9to5 Seating Launches New Brand Campaign / 5 Firms Selected to Design EDspaces 2017 Classrooms
- PLACES - Kimball showroom New York City
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Byrne Team Member Award / ASID A Retreat for Visionaries / LeanRite wins Award / Arcadis Acquires E2 ManageTech / Sound Reduction Technology In Tables / Camira Adds Bobbie Swaney / Kimball Office Addition / Spellman Brady & Company Hires Bartelsmeyer / WPF Hires Scott Augustine / Staci Thompson Joins Kentwood Office / Office Environments New President / Spellman Brady Welcomes Monica Stefek / Wallcoverings Industry Free Sample Book / World Architecture Festival 2017
- Whiteboard - The Line between Office and Home Design is increasingly Blurred / Design Connects: The Smart Revolution / Workplace Dress Codes changing from Collared to the 'Cool'-ered
- FIRST LOOKS - A look at Flock by Hon
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - August, 2017
- WELL WORK PLACE - The future workplace will look radically different as employers respond to a growing requirement for a work-health balance. The wellbeing industry is a worldwide global phenomenon, but corporations are only beginning to understand and interpret implications for the built environment.
- FLEXIBLE OFFICES IN 2017 - 2017 saw continued growth of the flexible office industry and a broader range of offerings. While "Serviced Offices" have been around for decades (30+ years), the term "coworking" has been the media standard term for the last 10 years.
- CYBORGS: EXOSKELETONS IN THE WORKPLACE - When we think of workplaces, we usually think of our office, computer, emails, and desks. As an industry, we have been laser-focused of late on designing ways to encourage more standing and movement throughout the day. However, there's a flip side to this that is often overlooked; we tend to forget about the construction, factory, and automotive workers who are on their feet all day.
- ALLEY CHELSEA EMPHASIZES COMMUNITY IN COWORKING - Alley Chelsea is a New York coworking center that believes creating community is everything. And unlike many coworking locations that don't care much about how the space is designed, Alley Chelsea is a space that would make any worker envious.
- CREATING CULTURAL CAPITAL: EXPLORING THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THIRD SPACE DESIGN AND UNDERSTANDING ITS REAL PURPOSE - As workplace design evolves, trends and philosophies develop with more clarity.
- CREATE AGILE WORKSPACES WITH PARTITIONS - While open offices have become the default design in many industries, companies are realizing an absence of space delineation has its drawbacks.
- CHANCE MEETING IN PORSCHE DEALERSHIP SPAWNS NEW FURNITURE - A unique double-cross-shaped eight-workstation island — is turning just as many heads as any sports car he might have driven up in.
- PRODUCT MATTER - This month we look at the Microsoft Surface Studio, LifePrint Photo and Video Printer, the Ergotech Freedom Desk, and the Rii RK100 3 Colors LED Backlit Keyboard.
- NEW GBCC OFFICES REFLECTS DYNAMIC, INNOVATIVE APPROACH - When GBCC was evaluating new office space, it engaged MPA to assist in weighing options for staying or relocating.
- UNOFFICE THE OFFICE - In the past few decades, the sweeping transformations experienced by virtually every industry have rarely been matched by complementary, comprehensive workplace redesigns.
- ENDMATTER - Liberate Your Lobby - A well-appointed lobby can attract new tenants, firm up relationships with existing ones, greet visitors with a hospitable atmosphere and provide a communal area for employees.
Business of Furniture - July 26, 2017
- UPFRONT: NYC Market Gets First Look - Held last Wednesday at the New York Design Center, the 13th annual First Look event successfully blended a hopping social affair with some of the latest introductions from the office furniture industry.
- Furnishings Key to Creating Doctor's Office of the Future - West Michigan's biggest health provider enlisted Haworth to create a new doctor's office concept to change the dynamics of its relationship with patients.
- Custom Designs Growing in Value as Trend Shifts Toward Authenticity - Companies in all industries are shifting toward a more authentic and comfortable workplace, and makers are zeroing in on the window of opportunity.
- Steelcase Acquires Tech Behind Stir Height-Adjustable Desk - Details of the deal were not released, but Stir will continue to operate as an independent company, unaffiliated with Steelcase, according to company founder J.P. Labrosse.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Will Bringing Science to Customer Conversations Happen in our Industry?"
- Stephen Says - "New Boss You Think You Don't Like? Well, Think Again!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Insight - Scott Lesizza - Bridging the Gap Between Furniture and Technology: IT directors and facility managers are taking a more active role in specifying furniture
- PLACES - Cojecom Offices – Lyon
- BoF PULSE NEWS - ASID Earns Both LEED and WELL Platinum Certs / Arconas Selected as Finalist / Kimball and 76ers Innovation Lab / ILFI Honors Stephen R. Kellert / Koleksiyon Continues its Expansion / In2design Representative / Landscape Forms Represntative / Rick Hansen IIDEXCanada Speaker / Camira Appoints Abigail Bomford / ICF Personal Changes
- Whiteboard - The Secret to a Great Workplace? Think of it as a People-Place / Does Sit-to-Stand Working Improve Health and Wellness at Work? / Sustainable Design Should Mimic the Outdoors
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in products from Hon, ICF, HBF and Wolf-Gordon
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - CIFF Special Edition - July 24, 2017
- 40th CIFF (China International Furniture Fair) - National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) in Hongqiao!
-
September 11–14, 2017 -
The 40th edition of CIFF, the world's largest furniture exhibition and the most important business platform in Asia, is held in Shanghai Hongqiao showcasing leading brands of home furniture, home decor, home textiles, outdoor furniture, office furniture, furniture machinery & raw materials.
CIFF has meticulously planned to create a furniture event for "Better Life, Better Work" to host 2,000 brands and 90,000 professional visitors, with the aim clearly set on enhancing the exhibition quality and providing excellent service and furniture. Perfect products for every lifestyle, even for the most demanding markets.
The 400,000 square-meter exhibition covers the themes of the entire industry chain under the concept of the Whole Home Decor, which are integrated together and show their own features. -
Shanghai,
the city where everything is possible -
The Office Show will have Halls 7.2 and 8.2 and
bring together the excellent businesses operating
in the office and hotel furniture industry, making the
layout of the specialized themes more simple
and coherent, while also enhancing the impact.
In addition to the U-shaped layout with three aisles running throughout the entire venue and the second half of the exhibition area, the 40th CIFF Shanghai will optimize exhibition circulation and introduce innovative kinked aisles allowing clear views of the booth facades and offering 360-degree views of the venue, thus further enhancing the exhibition experience.
Business of Furniture - July 19, 2017
- UPFRONT: Coworking Grows in 2017 - This year we're seeing flexible options from landlords and private businesses grow faster than anyone expected.
- COVER: BW in London Focuses on Customer Experience - BW is a firm that is comfortable shaking up the industry. The company is 17 years old and specializes in workplace fit out and refurbishment.
- A NeoCon Showroom as Sweet as Honey - A month after the hustle and bustle and excitement of Neocon 2017 has worn off, there remains in my mind a showroom as vibrant and exciting in my imagination as it was on the first day of Neocon: Nightingale.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Some is Good... More is Better"
- Stephen Says - "The Boss is Paying, So I'm Praying: Working for a Privately Owned Company" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Prodigious Offices – Brooklyn
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Rebecca Boenigk Testifies / BIFMA Board Announced / Groupe Lacasse Certification / Custer Acquires Contractor / Texas A&M Study / ASID Releases Design Sector Briefs / INDEAL 2017 Idea Book / Chicago Architecture Foundation Exhibit / Flooring Group Builds Momentum / MW International / The Scranton Group, Now Representing AIS
- Whiteboard - Data-Driven Design for the Modern Workplace / Top Performing Organizations Build Six Elements into their Design / Workplace of the Future
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest offerings from Carvart and 3Form
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 12, 2017
- Arper Partners with DEWG, Workspaces Division of the Studio Lombardini 22 - Arper has taken an active part in the Ernst & Young Milan headquarters project, designed by DEGW, the workspaces division of the Studio Lombardini 22.
- Artopex Adds Five New Collections to Portfolio - With the addition of the high-level Italian designs, the company expects to compete and increase brand awareness among its distribution channels, designers and architects.
- UPFRONT: Classic and Simple: m.a.d. Furniture Company disrupting Asian Furniture Industry - "It's a social kind of mission that were on here."
- Liberate Your Lobby - Lobbies are a tricky balance between the latest designs and your corporate aesthetic. Jump on the bandwagon of a short-lived trend, and the look will age out after a few years. Go too formal, and you might send the message your firm is stodgy.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "3 Easy Steps to Get Your Customer Ready for Your Next Call"
- Stephen Says - "My Boss is an Uber Racist! What Do I Do?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF NEWS - Sales Dip, Orders Flat, Consumer Up in Herman Miller's Latest Quarter
- BoF NEWS - Losing the Power Cord with TesLink: The Science of Product Design
- Projects - Custer Wraps Up Finishing Touches on Sustainable, Creative Office Space for Green Giftz
- PLACES - CA Technologies Offices – São Paulo
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Scott Cameron Knoll Senior VP / Boss Design President joins BIFMA Board / CIDA's Summit Report / National Office Furniture Donates to Local Community / ASID Releases Design Sector Briefs / HBF + HBF Textiles Welcomes Elaine Holub / Boss Design New Illinois Sales Appointment
- Whiteboard - Workplace Sitcoms Reflecting the Faulty Modern American Work Culture / Long commutes are major source of poor health and low productivity / The workplace of the future
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest from Maharam, HBF Textiles and Arc-Com
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - July 5, 2017
- UPFRONT: Formaspace Moves from Industrial to Office - Formaspace is off to a good start. It launched its office furniture collection at NeoCon to great acclaim and a mobbed seventh floor stand. It helped that the company's products looked like nothing else at the show.
- Sycamore plans to buy Staples for $6.9 billion - This buyout is definitely a consolation prize compared to Staples' previous plan to buy its main rival, Office Depot.
- theMART Gets Staring Role at NeoCon 2017 - From the beginning, there was a clear intent to encourage visitors to gather more comfortably, frequently and intentionally at theMART's Marshall's Landing.
- Problems with Noise at Work? A Lot of it is in Our Heads - While open-plan offices are designed to encourage collaboration, research published last year by Oxford Economics found more than half of employees say poor office acoustic design reduces their productivity and makes them unhappy.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Where is the Customer in your Org Chart?"
- INSIGHT: Michael Dunlap - "NeoCon at 49: Crossroads or Epiphany?"
- Stephen Says - "My Husband is Unemployed and I'm Beginning to Resent it" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Phoenix HSL Offices - Sidney, Australia
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Wolf-Gordan Exclusive Scuffmaster Distributor / AIS Hires Rep Firm / Koelnmesse CEO Gerald Böse: New Contract
- Whiteboard - Workplace Strategies Are Shifting Towards More Flexibility / Dear Office Worker, The Future Is Free-Address / Your office desk and chair are about to become Big Brother
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest products from Teknion, Bretford, Integra, Darran, Magnuson and Carvart
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - July, 2017
- WORKPLACE RESEARCH: KEANE: 'YOU HAVE TO BE VULNERABLE TO LEARN' - For a guy who can have any workstation in Steelcase's catalog, Keane has chosen this, a prototype his design team is working on that may or may not ever be a real product.
- PARK PARTY: BRING THE OUTDOORS IN - With summer in the air, we want to be outside as much as possible. We smell the flowers, mow the grass, we go barefoot and to the beach. But for those living in urban areas, green space may be in short supply or far away. There are many benefits to parks and greenery that go beyond looks and clean air.
- CAPITAL ONE PROVES FINANCE DOESN'T EQUAL FRUMPY - Imagine a workplace with height-adjustable desks, the latest technology, a creativity workshop to tinker with new ideas, freedom to work at a desk or a comfortable lounge seat overlooking the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan and a culture of collaboration. To keep employees spread across the country connected, Capital One built digital worm holes on each end of the building — on the west side connecting employees in Chicago to the San Francisco office and on the east side connecting employees in Chicago to colleagues in Washington, D.C.
- PEARL PICKS OFFICE THAT REFLECTS MODERN, FORWARD THINKING ATTITUDE - The design was based on the Pearl Properties brand image and design vocabulary. Because Pearl is one of the premier real estate investment, development and management firms in Philadelphia, DAS was tasked with making sure the office design reflected a modern and forward-thinking sensibility without feeling stuffy or formal.
- PRODUCTIVITY PROBLEMS LINKED TO MULTITASKING: MOVING FROM MULTI- TO MONO-TASKING FOR BETTER RESULTS - There are some situations where multitasking works, like doing the laundry and watching TV, driving the kids home from school and thinking about what to make for dinner, or exercising and listening to music. And, there are some obvious situations where multitasking should not be implemented and could be deadly, such as texting and driving.
- NEOCON TRENDS WILL SHAPE OFFICE OF THE FUTURE - NeoCon 2017 was more of a dog's dinner than a show that provided a clear design directive. From a trend perspective, it was messy, disjointed and downright delightful. Never has the industry gone in so many different directions, and I would argue that is a very, very good thing. It means designers have even more choices and offices will begin to see that diversity of thought found at NeoCon in their workplaces very soon. A photo portfolio.
- PRODUCT MATTER - This month we look at the Edge Desk, HOVR and the Tagus Lap Chill Mat.
- ENDMATTER - We all know wellness is becoming an increasingly important topic, but few could drive this point home to the contract interiors industry better than Arianna Huffington. Well known as the founder of The Huffington Post, author of 15 books and self-proclaimed sleep evangelist, she started her 2017 keynote with this: "You thought you were doing furniture, but you are actually doing much more than that.
Business of Furniture - June 28, 2017
- COVER: From Walls to Wheels to Workstations - The Clarus team devised a way to use the existing infrastructure of the workstations, whether they were Haworth, Steelcase, Herman Miller, or any number of other manufacturers, so the glass could hang without using a single tool.
- UPFRONT: NeoCon 2017 - What We Liked (and didn't) - The Business of Furniture staff covered a lot of ground during NeoCon in Chicago. Innovative products and spectacular showrooms were everywhere.
- LOGICDATA Celebrates its Anniversary Austrian-Style - LOGICDATA makes components for height-adjustable desks. While some in the industry have moved toward cheap, low-priced components, LOGICDATA believes its success stems from its innovative, inclusive culture, now exemplified in its headquarters.
- Todd's Post NeoCon Story - Another NeoCon has come and gone, and with it we saw practically too many products to count.
- Steelcase Sales Increase just 2% in the Latest Quarter
- Inscape 4Q sales climb 2.7%, 19.3% higher for the Year
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "WARNING! Performance Reviews are a Silent Revenue Drain (Especially in our Industry)"
- Stephen Says - "The Viscusi Guide For What To Do If Your Company is Sold: Ask For a Stay Bonus or Leave" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - M Booth Offices – New York City
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Boenigk and Neville named Sales Managers / ASID Partnership with Sherwin-Williams / Trendway Names Jim Ford Director of Market Development / Kimball Office Personnel Addition / Meadows Office Interiors Director of Customer Experience / AIS Addition of Northern New England Territory Manager, Jackie DesLauriers
- Whiteboard - Accommodating a Liquid Workforce / Office Furniture Dealers Embrace Coworking / The Rise of the Residential 'Innovation Space'
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 21, 2017
- UPFRONT: BIFMA Breakfast Serves Up Economic, Organization Update - BIFMA speaker Mitch Stapley, an economist at ClearArc Capital, said the economy has grown more slowly than past patterns, but there is no economic data that suggests a recession.
- NeoCon 2017 Keynote Speaker Arianna Huffington Delivers a Promising Message About Wellness - Huffington entertained the audience with multiple lighthearted moments, including our modern-day addiction to electronics.
- IIDA Unveils New Headquarters - The IIDA had very specific things it wanted in the space.
- Stelter Out at Inscape - Jim Stelter was the architect of the West Elm Workplace deal, which has fundamentally changed the market as competitors scrambled to recreate the residential look of the low priced, high design products.
- NeoCon Trends: A Delightful Dog's Dinner - The way people work continues to change at a rapid pace. The choices for how we work have never been greater. So the ideas being brought to the table at NeoCon should reflect that diversity.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "7 Sales Management Strategy Ideas that You Can Steal"
- Stephen Says - "He Who Smelt It Dealt It: Farting Etiquette in the Workplace" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Sprout Social – Chicago
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Dealers Choice Survey Award Winners / Use of Standing Desks in Workplace Linked to Increased Productivity, Improved Health / Falcon and Thonet Mark Successful NeoCon / KI Wins Best of NeoCon Gold
- Whiteboard - The Five Elements of a Happy Workplace / How Furniture can affect Productivity and Wellness in Workers / The Dynamic Work Environment
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - June 14, 2017
- UPFRONT: NEOCON OFF TO SMOLDERING START - The industry put its best foot forward, from the newest companies in theMart to the veteran firms that have pushed the workplace forward for years.
- WORRIED ABOUT A BOT TAKING YOUR JOB? BE A CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVER - Microsoft reached out to Steelcase, a company that has been in workspace industry for more than a century.
- 'YOU HAVE TO BE VULNERABLE TO LEARN' - At no other time in the industry's history have its three main players pursued such different strategies
- INDEAL Hosts Champion Training and Conference - The conference balanced interactive instructional sessions on the INDEAL program with manufacturer-focused segments and unique networking opportunities.
- Haworth Acquires Design Retailer Luminaire - Nasir and Nargis Kassamali, the married couple who launched Luminaire in 1974, said they will remain in charge of the Doral-based retailer.
- SCIENCE OF PRODUCT DESIGN - Industry 4.0 (Sponsored by LOGICDATA) - We are in the middle of a revolution of how the industrialized world functions and works.
- Stephen Says - Are You A Superstitious Salesperson? I Sure Hope So (Knock on Wood) - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Laddawn Inc. Offices – Devens
- BoF PULSE NEWS - OFM Introduces Foresee Chair / 2017 ASID Foundation Transform Grant Recipients / Bretford introduces CUBE Cart Mini / Framery is Expanding in the US / My Resource Library (MRL) Connects To The level Data Platform / Ottlite Launches Workwell / PS Furniture Introduces WALS / Studio TK Names Eric Stroud as Vice President, U.S. Sales
- Whiteboard - The Impact of Office Design in Talking Brand Impact / Steelcase and Microsoft’s Partnership aims to raise Worker Productivity / Seismic Structural Shift about to hit the Office Market
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - NeoCon 2017 SPECIAL EDITION
- COME BELLOW WITH US - Meet with the team behind The Business of Furniture and Workplaces Magazine. NeoCon 2017 - Seventh Floor; Booth: 7-5113
- THE FUTURE OF WORK: 4 MAJOR TRENDS AT NEOCON 2017 - As always, the future of the office will play a major role at the 2017 edition of NeoCon.
- NEOCON 2017 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS - Arianna Huffington, Jessica Green, John Ronan
- SPECIAL EVENTS - NeoCon is three days of nonstop special events and parties.
- FLOOR PLANS - Don't get lost in theMART. Also don't forget about theMART's neighborhood showrooms.
- THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST PRODUCTS DEBUTING DURING NEOCON - Hundreds of the latest products to stop by and see.
- THE COMPANIES - The Latest Products and Introductions at The Show: - 3form, 9to5 Seating, AIS, Allsteel, Arcadia, Arc-Com, Arper, Artopex, Barbican, Bentley, Boss Design, Brentano, Bush Business Furniture, BuzziSpace, Camira, Carnegie, CF Stinson, Chilewich, Clarus Glassboards, Coalesse, Concertex, Configura, Dauphin, Davis, DesignTex, Dyson, Egan, Encore, Enwork, ESI, Falcon, Flexsteel, Formaspace, Frem, Garrett Leather, Geiger, Ghent, Global, Great Openings, Groupe Lacasse, Gunlocke, HBF, Herman Miller, HON, HPFI, Humanscale, ICF, Indiana Furniture, Inscape, Integra, izzy+, J+J Flooring, Jabbrrbox, JRB Studio, JSI, Keilhauer, KFI, KI, Kimball Office, KnollTextiles, Koleksiyon, Loctek, LOFTWall, LOGICDATA, LightCorp, Luum, Maars Living Walls, Mayline, Mohawk Group, Momentum, Muzo, National Office Furniture, Nemschoff, Nienkamper, Nightingale, Nucraft, Nxtwall, Okamura, OM, Pallas, SitOnIt, Sixinch, Spec Furniture, Steelcase, Steelcase Health, Studio TK, Stylex, Symbiote, Teknion, Thonet, Trendway, Tuohy, unika vaev, Versteel, Via Seating, Vitra, Waddell, West Elm, Wilkhahn, Wolf-Gordon, Workrite - AND MORE!
Business of Furniture - June 7, 2017
- UPFRONT: Sneak Peek: What NeoCon 2017 Tells us About the Industry - As one of the most pivotal annual tradeshows, one could look at NeoCon as a measure of overall health of the industry, and indicators are overall positive.
- Clarus Creates Projection Glass - Clarus Glassboards will be unveiling its new Projection Glass at NeoCon next week.
- IdeaPaint launches Mobile Dry Erase Collection - IdeaPaint first previewed its mobile furniture line at NeoCon in 2016, winning Best of Neocon Silver for Office Accessories, followed by the GOOD DESIGN award.
- Coalesse to Become Exclusive Distributor of Viccarbe in the Americas - Beginning this summer, Coalesse will offer the entire Viccarbe portfolio to the contract market throughout the Americas (US, Canada, Mexico, and the countries of Latin America) – as the Viccarbe Imports Collection.
- KI Shifts to Address Changes at Work - NeoCon's no small task for a company that competes in a variety of markets, ranging from corporate to education. Instead of focusing on each of those markets individually, KI is drilling down on workstyles and behaviors that transcend all of them.
- The Toyification of the Office - Companies are trying to create spaces that produce genuine moments for employees to come together and have conversations.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "The Touchstone"
- Stephen Says - You Want A Day Off Because Your Dog Died? Good Luck - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Civis Analytics Offices – Chicago
- BoF PULSE NEWS - 2020 Inspiration Awards for Office Designers Winners Announced / Nightingale Presents the Urban Beehive Project at NeoCon / Bisley Showing at Netherlands' Design District / Special - T Promotes Dale Nutter / Maars Living Walls announces two new hires in United States
- Thonet Reconnects to Legacy Collection - The history of Thonet's innovation began more than 170 years ago when Michael Thonet registered a patent for bending solid wood.
- Whiteboard - Why residential influences are just part of the story in the evolution of the workplace. A Q&A with Pair / Yesterday's Urban Factory could be tomorrow's tech HQ / A Health Minded Approach to Workplace Design
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - June, 2017
- INTERIOR DESIGN BILLING INDEX & RESEARCH FROM ASID - Looking forward the design industry remains optimistic about the near term outlook for business conditions.
- UPCOMING | NEOCON CHICAGO - The 49th edition of NeoCon, the premier, global platform for connecting, learning and conducting business in commercial interiors, will draw more than 50,000 design professionals from across the globe to theMART, June 12-14.
- CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK - Clerkenwell Design Week is a quirky, powerful, bold and increasingly important event for the interiors industry. The three-day event, held at the end of May in one of London's most important architecture and design hubs, packed in nearly 40,000 visitors to see the latest in new products, new ideas and new trends that will affect how people work for years to come.
- "SIMPLICITY IN DESIGN" ROUNDTABLE - SIMPLICITY IN DESIGN means a lot of things to a lot of people. For some, it is the restraint shown by designers like George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames, whose mid-century modern stripped down products to only those components necessary.
- MULLENLOWE'S OFFICE IN FORMER TOBACCO FACTORY IS SMOKIN' - MullenLowe engaged TPG Architecture to design its new office in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
- GIRALDI ARCHITECTS TRANSFORMS ITS HEADQUARTERS IN FLORENCE - The Giraldi Associates Architects have relocated their headquarters in Florence to the Santo Spirito neighborhood of the city, to a 600- square-meter space inside the ancient 19th century palace Antinori-Aldobrandini.
- GROWING VINEYARD VINES - If you don't know the brand, ask your kids. They do. That's why the company needed a new office that reflected the preppy, nautical nature of its culture.
- CREATE A QUINTESSENTIAL HOME OFFICE - Today's home office designs are as eclectic and imaginative as the individual personalities of their owners.
- TRULY GREEN OFFICE OR OUTDOOR WHIMSY - Everything in a building can be rethought from a healthy perspective. Air, ventilation, water, light, sleep, sound and movement all impact how we feel and how we work.
- INSIDE POPPIN'S COLORFUL ONE-STOP SOLUTION FOR THE WORKPLACE - NYC-based Poppin is a one-stop shop of workplace solutions for companies of all sizes.
- PRODUCT MATTER - BOSS Design's new Trinetic Chair, the very unusual CoreChair, Screen Mom Natural Screen Cleaner, and Paperpro Staplers.
- LIVING - With graduation season upon us, the personal-finance website WalletHub recently released its report on 2017's Best & Worst Places to Start a Career.
- ENDMATTER - The planner, creator and innovator of the modern workplace turns 100.
Business of Furniture - May 31, 2017
- UPFRONT : Clerkenwell Design Week Informs Interiors Decisions in Europe and Beyond - The three-day event, held last week in one of London's most important architecture and design hubs, packed in nearly 40,000 visitors.
- CDW Roundtable Explores Simplicity in Design - Simple looking designs, panelists agreed, are a good first step, but buildings and the products inside them need to be simple to use as well.
- LightArt Launches New Collection at ICFF - LightArt launched its new Acoustic lighting collection at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) during NYCxDesign.
- Bendheim's New Houdini Unlocked Glass Collection Takes Workplace Privacy Needs To The Next Level - Houdini Unlocked was developed as an answer to customer inquiries and has evolved to expand design potential while simultaneously serving workplace surroundings.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - "Why Sales People Win...and Lose"
- Stephen Says - Retreads: The New Normal? - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Squarespace Portland, OR
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Allsteel Workplace Expert to Present at NeoCon 2017 / SurfaceWorks Launches Major Rebrand / Furniture Marketing Group Completes Migration to Khameleon Business Intelligence / Dirtt Gets Delivery By Air / New LOGICDATA Leadership Team Structure
- Whiteboard - An overdue attempt to connect smart buildings with smart people / The Office Of The Future May Not Be In Silicon Valley / Tech Firms Seeking Alternatives To Open Offices
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest in projects from DAS Architects
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 24, 2017
- UPFRONT: Clerkenwell Design Week Gets Underway in London - Though the opening day was subdued because of the terrorist bombing in Manchester the night before, CDW managing director Daren Newton said the show must go on while offering thoughts and prayers to the victims.
- Mission Impossible? Hackett is Right for Ford, but Task Might be Too Big for Anyone - Many in the office furniture industry are stunned by the news, but don't doubt that he can make the tough decisions needed to jumpstart Ford.
- Contract Furniture's Tectonic SHIFT - As we look at the change that will likely come in this industry, we have to look at those who have the most appetite to embrace change. Today, that's the dealer.
- NeoCon Guide to Special Events & Features
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - The One Magic Question That will Change Client Conversations
- Stephen Says - The Do's and Don't's of Interviewing at NeoCon - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - PetSure, Sydney, Australia
- Holistics to Aid the Workplace Community - The design of the workplace can act as a conduit in bringing people together or the opposite — it can unintentionally keep people apart. Clearly we have to remain realistic and be mindful of the impact of management frameworks and organizational culture.
- Components Shine at Interzum in Cologne - Unless you hail from Europe, chances are that you missed attending this amazing event. Chances are good you have never even heard much about it. And, that ought to change.
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Accessible furniture innovators Muzo announce NeoCon showcase events / Danker Named Steelcase 2017 Premier Partner / Indiana Furniture Facility Certified for Workplace Safety and Health Programs / National Office Furniture's Essay, Fold, and Whimsy Products Earn the GEI Seal of Endorsement
- Whiteboard - Mapping Presence in Virtual Reality Environments / Stan Stands Out From the Standing Desk Crowd / Home Workers More Likely to Sustain Work-Related Injuries than People based in Offices
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from izzy+ and Via
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 17, 2017
- Survey Shows Mixed Results for Industry; Strength Continues - Mike Dunlap believes 2017 will exceed the solid growth the industry experienced last year.
- Steelcase Explores Radical New 3D Printing Method with MIT - MIT and Steelcase first tested this by 3-D printing a top for one of the turnstone Bassline tables — part of a collection of tables that promotes personality and personalization by allowing the expression of one's unique design choices.
- UPFRONT : Clerkenwell Design Week is Not Your Typical Event - If NeoCon is the giant office furniture blitz to start the summer, consider Clerkenwell Design Week the calm before the NeoStorm. CDW, which runs next week in London, May 23-25, has grown to become one of the most important office furniture events, a major exhibition that blends permanent office furniture showrooms and nearly every available temporary space.
- New and Notable Exhibitors for NeoCon - Here is a preview of new and notable brands and products at the show, by floor.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - So...What Makes You So Different?
- Observations - Dina Sorensen - 'Moving' for Wellbeing in Schools as the Third Teacher and Beyond
- Observations - Scott Lesizza - The New Way of Thinking About Office Furniture Solutions
- PLACES - L'Oreal Offices in Paris
- Is the Edge Desk All You Need to Work? - Edge Desk is a portable, easily movable product that acts as both the desk and the chair.
- Global Design Spotlight - Italian Pavilion at ICFF NYC / Scandinavian Pavilion at ICFF NYC
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Associates Purchasing Intends to Merge with Western Office, Los Angeles / Haworth Honors Workwell Partners with 2017 Best in Class Distinction / The Design Museum Foundation Named 2017 ASID Design Innovation Award Winner / Kimball Office Unveils Flagship Urban Design Hub in New York City
- Whiteboard - Bringing Privacy to Open Plan Offices / Virtual and augmented reality: The future of the workplace / When Work has Meaning, the Workplace becomes a Cultural Hub
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest offerings from Clarus Glassboards, Boss Design and Innovations
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 10, 2017
- UPFRONT Worktech NYC is Like TED for the Office - Attending Worktech 17 New York is a bit like going to a series of TED talks, assuming all the presentations were related to the way work is changing.
- NYCxDesign 'Swirls' Open - NYCxDESIGN is a becoming a bit like Milan's Fuorisalone: A series of smaller events that when combined, overshadow the show that they grew up around.
- FEATURE: Designing Workspaces for Engagement and Productivity with lauckgroup - There are several elements of design that contribute to supporting productivity in workplace design, and the designers at lauckgroup have noticed numerous changes to achieve it over the past few years.
- Science of Product Design - Puddle – The Technology of Collaboration
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - What Teams Need Also Makes Them Fail
- Observations - Randy Storch - Where's the Tech Strategy?
- Stephen Says - Residential Is the New Contract and It's As Hot As Gender Neutral Restrooms - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Uniqlo Headquarters - Tokyo
- DIRTT Posts Record First Quarter 2017 Sales - "We delivered solid topline growth in excess of 16%, despite the fact our first quarter is traditionally our weakest."
- More DIRTT from Mogens - On the conference call last week Mogens had plenty to talk about.
- BoF TOP NEWS - Kimball International Reports Third Quarter Sales and Income Climbed
- BoF PULSE NEWS - CIFF Guangzhou 2017 Everybody is racing toward the future / Interphase Interiors Receives National Award for Excellence / TriMega - Board of Director Changes / Kimball Health Announces Personnel Addition / JRB Studio selects Contourlines Northwest as its representative / BSI Promotes Lori Torrison / Boss Design USA announces new Global Accounts Manager
- Whiteboard - The Workplace is the New Corporate Communications Platform / Inspirational office design: A way to retain millennials / Trends In Workplace Design Focus On Productivity, Occupant Satisfaction
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest offerings from unika vaev and Invision
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - May 3, 2017
- An Early Peek at NeoCon: theMART is Preparing for Your Arrival - "In the last three years, we have renewed all five of our anchor tenants (those with spaces of 15,000 square feet or larger). All the majors are locked in into the '20s."
- FEATURE: Wolf-Gordon Celebrates Anniversary with Return to Manhattan - This year marks the 50th anniversary of American design company Wolf-Gordon.
- FEATURE: Companies Need to Dig Deep When it Comes to Rebranding - No longer strictly a furniture manufacturer, the company changed and grew based on customer needs over time. In thinking about rebranding, you have to ask yourself if the need that you are filling is something that customers actually still require.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Digitize or Die
- Stephen Says - Getting Offers Out of The Blue? What You Need to Know Before You Commit to an Interview - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - eBay Headquarters Remodeling by Gensler
- BoF TOP NEWS - Interface Reports Flat First Quarter 2017 Results
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Artopex donates $150,000 to the Granby Hospital Center Foundation / National Office Furniture Partners with Configura to Release CET Designer Extension / Kimball Office Celebrates Earth Day with Company-wide Initiatives / Custer's annual technology showcase unveils the latest in workplace solutions and products
- Whiteboard - This Thin Film Is A Real-Life Cloaking Device For Your Office / Designing Offices That Increase Productivity / Smart Offices: The Future Arriving at a Workplace Near You
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Integra, Carnegie, Groupe Lacasse, Pallas, Brentano and Innovations
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - May, 2017
- JLL - FUTURE OF WORK STUDY - Executives will look toward the future of work as an agile and adaptable model for achieving ambitions in an environment where stability is an illusion or, worse, a sign of stagnation.
- MYTHBUSTERS - Challenging workplace assumptions.
- TRENDS - OTTO CAMPUS COWORKING OFFICES - HAMBURG - Around the heart of the space – an arena for presentations, speeches or panel discussions with over 100 guests – there have been built meeting areas, lounges, quiet rooms, work- and flex benches as well as a café.
- WORKPLACE 3.0 / SALONE UFFICIO - There are some cool new products, lots of ideas and a fair number of visitors to the office area of the show (actually, iSalone is made up of many events running together).
- CBRE FURNITURE FORUM: UNRAVELING FURNITURE FRUSTRATIONS - The topic was explosive: How can we improve the furniture buying process? The idea was to gather designers, office furniture dealers and manufacturers at CBRE's Chicago office and hash out a process many believe is, at best, inefficient and at its worst, broken.
- WHY SEATING STILL MATTERS - Since the introduction of the task chair decades ago, office dwellers have had many options to chose from, but almost all of them came with a large price tag. There are still plenty of affordable chairs around.
- OM PUTS THE FUN AND FUNCTION IN SEATING - OM believes in sweating the details so when their chairs make it to offices around the country, they will be perfect for the workers sitting in them.
- ALLSEATING'S NAME SAYS IT ALL - As Allseating delves more into design, it is changing the way those who specify furniture perceive the company.
- PUT A POSITIVE SPIN ON BIKING TO WORK - A bike-friendly workplace is also important to job seekers, even though it's often an underappreciated component of the hiring process.
- REFINING REEFER: COULD CANNABIS CULTURE IN THE WORKPLACE BRING FOCUS AND CREATIVITY? - Increasingly, people of all walks of life are using marijuana in small amounts throughout the day to be more focused and creative on the job.
- PRODUCT MATTER - BOSS Design's new Trinetic Chair, the very unusual CoreChair, Screen Mom Natural Screen Cleaner, and Paperpro Staplers.
- RESEARCH: TODAY'S WORKFORCE CRAVES FLEXIBLE OFFICES - Technology and Information are forcing commercial real estate to adapt a more flexible model.
- CHARTING - Improve Your Wellness In The Workplace / CoWorking
- ENDMATTER - It could be that the Chinese have the perfect napping product for the old-fashion cuble centered workplace.
Business of Furniture - April 26, 2017
- UPFRONT: CBRE Hosts Furniture Forum to Unravel Furniture Frustrations - The stakeholders gathered last week to expose pain points in the furniture specifying process in front of an invite-only crowd of their peers during "CBRE Furniture Forum: Unraveling Furniture Frustrations."
- JLL's Future of Work Enables Workplace Transformation - Real estate was once about acquiring and managing buildings. Now, real estate has become a strategic lever for transformation, enabling organizations to achieve broader business agendas and create new levels of value.
- FEATURE: USM Haller E Adds Power to Structure - The structure of the furniture becomes a conduit for transferring power throughout the system.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Executing the Big Arrow
- Stephen Says - References Today Are the Price of a Ticket to the 'Hall of Fame' Dinner, So Don't Get Fooled - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Saatchi + Saatchi, Chancery Lane HQ, London
- BoF PULSE NEWS - HNI Reports Sales Decline for First Quarter Fiscal Year 2017 / Architecture Billings Index Growth Continues in March / Former HON Leader Howe Helped Grow Company / Knoll Reports First Quarter Sales Slide 9.8% / Tomorrow's Office Furniture will be Rapidly 3D-Printed in Pools of Goo
- Whiteboard - Now WeWork Wants to Build Out Your Office and Run it for You / Are Businesses Taking 'Collaborative' Workspaces Too Far? / Re-examining the sit-stand workstation
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Groupe Lacasse, Encore, LightCorp, Kinestral Tech and Arc-Com
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 19, 2017
- UPFRONT: From Custom to Construction, OFGO Goes the Extra Mile - Though many office furniture makers claim to customize, OFGO's ability to do it has helped the company grow.
- Bending the Boundaries of the Timeclock - The workplace we are familiar with was designed in the 30s and doesn't come from any strategy for productivity.
- FEATURE: GMi Evolves - Though its brands reach back decades, GMi Companies acts a lot younger. Its hunger to innovate is palpable.
- Humanscale Announces Five Sustainable Initiatives - Sustainability Officer Jane Abernethy transforms Humanscale's sustainability program into a globally recognized model of excellence.
- Teknion Opens New Showroom in Downtown Los Angeles - Situated on the 41st floor of the Ernst & Young Plaza, the showroom provides clients with an accessible location in the city's burgeoning downtown.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Just What are You Going to Do?
- Stephen Says - How to Deal With a New Type of Coworker: The Noisy Guy From a Different Company Who Shares Your Coworking Office - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Hollands Kroon Municipality Offices
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Meadows Office Interiors Opens New 20,000-SF Showhouse Facility / Teknion 2017 International Dealer Award / Charter Capital Partners Named in Axial's Top 100 Most Referred Middle-Market Advisors
- Whiteboard - Green Offices May Be the Key to Productivity—and Employee Health / Lighting the Work Environment / Beware the Great Apex Fallacy of Workplace Design
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest products from Poltrona Frau, Arcadia, BDI, ChargeSpot and HBF Textiles
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 12, 2017
- UPFRONT: Fuorisalone: Not Part of Salone Internazionale del Mobile, but Perhaps More Important - Fuorisalone is the set of events distributed in different areas of Milan on the same days the Salone Internazionale del Mobile takes place in the stands of Rho Fiera.
- Science of Product Design: It's Time for E-Textiles - E-textiles is an emerging technology helping tradition-bound industries move beyond the ideas of yesterday and into the e-world.
- FEATURE: Workplace 3.0 LOOK BOOK - There was lots to see and take in during our visit to Milan. Here's a look at what was going on. Workplace3.0/SaloneUfficio, the International Biennial Workspace Exhibition focussed on a new, all-encompassing approach to workspace design.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - You are Being 'Disrupted'
- Stephen Says - Sexual Harassment in The Furniture Industry? More Common Than a Dealer Asking for a Discount - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Twilio Offices – San Francisco
- BoF NEWS - 2020 Contest Searches for Inspiring Office Designs
- BoF PULSE NEWS - Gunlocke Announces Changes, Growth at Wayland HQ / E&I Member Purchases Exceed $2.7 Billion in 2016 / The American Society of Interior Designers Introduces Ones to Watch Program / BSI Wins American Society of Interior Design (ASID) Award
- Whiteboard - If an AI Doesn't Take Your Job, It Will Design Your Office / Designing Space for Virtual Collaboration in an Untethered World / Why your Office needs Unassigned Workstations
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest products from Nevers, Knape & Vogt, Maharam, ICF and Innovations
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - April 5, 2017
- UPFRONT: Workplace3.0 Defines Office at iSalone in Milan - Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Love it or hate it, iSalone, kicked off yesterday in Milan, with a mix of innovation, beautiful design and a dash of just plain weird.
- CBRE Furniture Forum Panelists Seek a Vuja-De View of the Furniture Buying Process - In continuation of a multi-month-long discussion about frustrations with the furniture buying process, panelists reconvened at CBRE Chicago.
- FEATURE: 9to5 Will Change Your Notion on Made in America - Here's an American manufacturer making parts in Union City, Tenn and shipping them to China to be used in chairs assembled and sold there.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Where are the Thought Leaders?
- Stephen Says - "Last Year I Made More Money Than Ever, This Year They Are Dividing My Territory!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Zalando, Helsinki, Finland
- BoF NEWS - A First-Timer's View of CIFF & 'Getting Old' at CIFF Guangzhou
- BoF NEWS - BSI Wins American Society of Interior Design (ASID) Award
- BoF NEWS - Innovative's Evo Articulating Monitor Arm Named 2017 Red Dot Award: Product Design Winner
- BoF NEWS - New Sales Group Joins Symbiote, Lab Furniture Manufacturer
- Whiteboard - Coworking's Continuing Evolution and Challenges / 5 Influences on Design for the Modern Workplace / Wearable tech: The new tool for the modern construction workforce
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Arcadia, Safco, Arc-Com, Unika Vaev, Bretano and Ultrafabrics
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - April, 2017
- TRENDS | CLOUDFLARE LONDON - London-based architecture and interiors practice Jump Studios (a Populous Company) has designed the first UK office for Internet performance and security company Cloudflare in London.
- LEARNING TO STORYTELL - Data visualization in the workplace. Information is everywhere. We are constantly surrounded by new facts and data; it's impossible to get away from them. Together, technology and the Internet have increased our data exposure to unprecedented levels.
- THE EFFECT OF INDIVIDUALIZED WORK SETTINGS ON PRODUCTIVITY AND WELL-BEING - This research looks at the evolution of office environments and examines how present day activity-based work environments support employee personalities and work modes. From multi-tiered incentives to volunteer-run initiatives, workplace wellness programs come in all shapes and sizes. With some businesses covering up to 80 percent of their employees' insurance costs, companies are eager to balance health expenditures.
- WORKTECH17 NEW YORK RETURNS TO MANHATTAN FOR ITS 8TH ANNUAL FUTURE OF WORK CONFERENCE - The future of work is on everyone's agenda, and WORKTECH17 brings thought leaders together from North America and Europe on May 4th.
- CASE STUDY: REINVENTING AN ICON - A NEW HQ HELPS THE NEW LA-Z-BOY - A company that thrives for nearly a century is exceptional. A company with a product that's a household name and brings a smile to faces everywhere, that's a rarity. La-Z-Boy has long enjoyed such status.
- PUMP UP WELLNESS WITH FITWEL CERTIFICATION - From multi-tiered incentives to volunteer-run initiatives, workplace wellness programs come in all shapes and sizes.
- THE 'SMART' OPEN OFFICE - High-performing businesses recognize the competitive advantage they gain by supporting their employees' well-being. Open office planning has received some negative press lately, as the workplace trend drew complaints for noise, interruption and employee dissatisfaction.
- THE RIGHT LIGHTING CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE - One aspect of design not always delved into on an individual basis is lighting, but the impact it has on a space should not be underestimated.
- THE SCIENCE OF FEELING - More and more, philosophy and sacred science is making its way into the contemporary interior design process.
- PRODUCT MATTER - This month you'll find reviews of ESI's Evolve2 monitor arm, Loctek's Flexispot Desk Riser, Tetley Super Tea for Focusing, and Targus' compact blue trace mouse.
- HOW TO HONE YOUR HUMILITY: SEVEN TIPS TO HELP YOU LEARN THE ESSENTIAL SKILL SET FOR OUTSMARTING SMART MACHINES - The journey to becoming a more humble person will not be short. It will take persistent hard work, and it will be a lifelong endeavor.
- ENDMATTER - Asia Raising Rapidly in Office Furniture World
Business of Furniture - March 29, 2017
- UPFRONT: Fashion Meets Future of Office at Workplace 3.0 in Milan - For European office furniture makers and the rest of the world that sells into the European market, iSalone is a place where business opportunities arise.
- Herman Miller Reports Third Quarter Sales Slowed - Net sales in the quarter decreased 2.2% from the same quarter last fiscal year.
- FEATURE: CIFF Smashes Preconceived Notions of Asian Office Furniture Market - The industry here, like CIFF itself, continues to mature and develop, becoming a major force not only in the Asian market, but around the world. Trends helping turn the Asian office furniture market into a true superpower include an increasing focus on design rather than knockoffs, exponential improvements in quality and the ability to quickly follow trends.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Why Research Should Make Your Firm Question Everything
- Stephen Says - "The New Rules: When to Talk Money When Interviewing" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Deskopolitan Co-Working Offices – Paris
- BoF NEWS - Architecture Billings Index in February climbs back into positive terrain
- BoF NEWS - February nonresidential starts edge down 2%
- BoF NEWS - Jeff Osborne, former Knoll VP of Design, Dies at 72
- BoF NEWS - Kimball International Named 2016 Recipient of Indiana Governor's Half Century Award
- Whiteboard - Staying Connected at Work: 1900's to Now / Environmental Ergonomics in an Office Workplace / The Evolution of the Office: Cubicles, Open Offices, & the Next Generation
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest products from Teknion, LightArt, T-Concepts and Wolf Gordon
- So Much More Every Week - Regional Industry News Brief, Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 22, 2017
- UPFRONT: Studio Wise Expands Product Line; Streamlines Sales - Known for surface products inspired by its designs for some of West Michigan's most iconic restaurants, breweries, clubs and offices, the design and fabrication studio based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, saw its revenues double last year.
- DIRTT Leaf Falls into Place - Leaf is a simple concept: Give objects designed to be put into place until moved hinges and bearing systems and guides so they can move easily.
- COVER: BuzziSpace Refined - BuzziSpace has always been known for its innovative acoustic products. Now it is moving further into the office with new lounge seating products that follow the Belgian company's belief that every workplace should be happy and healthy.
- Steelcase Results - Steelcase Inc. reported fourth quarter revenue of $769.1 million and net income of $25.8 million.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Maybe it's About Time to Abandon Ship
- Stephen Says - "Lost Your Job, But Afraid to Advertise That on Your Resume?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- From the Editor-in-Chief - Providing You a Broader View
- Research - The Effect of Individualized Work Settings on Productivity and Well-Being
- PLACES - LAYER London offices
- BoF NEWS - IF Design Award: Gold Award for LessThanFive by Coalesse / Industry-First Bullet and Blast-Resistant Technology Unveiled for Airport Seating
- Whiteboard - Defining Privacy for The Future of Workspace Design / Six Design Principles to Support Wellbeing / America's Coming Workplace: Home Alone
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest products from Clarus, Landscape Forms, Knoll, Luna Textiles, HON, Arconas, Wilkhahn, 3Form, Carnegie, Arc-Com, Luum Textiles, and more!
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 15, 2017
- UPFRONT: Jamboard — the Whiteboard, Reimagined for Collaboration in the Cloud - Jamboard raises the bar on collaborative creativity, bringing the same real-time collaboration found in G Suite, combined with the best of the web, to your team's brainstorms and meetings.
- Nancy Willemstein: The Smile Behind Steelcase for More Than 30 Years - When asked about more than three decades as the receptionist at Steelcase's Global Headquarters in Grand Rapids, it wasn't surprising that Nancy Willemstein responded humbly, though not entirely accurately.
- Science of Product Design -- CAD Goes Cloud - Virtually every product you interact with, from the fork you use to eat your lunch, to the office chair you sit in, to the car you drive to work and back, begins its life in CAD.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Beyond Just Playing Nice
- Perspective - Scott Lesizza - A Fresh Perspective on Office Seating Plans
- Stephen Says - "Will Snoring Get You Fired, or Just Divorced?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Research - 2017 Deloitte Millennial Survey
- PLACES - TQ Offices – Amsterdam
- BoF NEWS - DIRTT Reports Record Q4 and 2016 Annual Results / Inscape Reports Third Quarter Sales Inched Up 2% / Configura Holds Partner Meeting in Grand Rapids / Everything is ready for the 39th edition of CIFF / Allsteel Announces Partnership with Carnegie
- Whiteboard - How IdeaPaint is fostering Frictionless Collaboration through Design / How to Design Your Office for Authenticity + Comfort / The Shifting Demands Of The Modern (And Future) Workspace
- FIRST LOOKS - New Products from Magis, Lacasse, Falcon and Frem Group
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - March 8, 2017
- UPFRONT: Steelcase and Microsoft Announce Development of Technology - Enabled Spaces to Boost Creative Work - Companies joined forces to develop a range of technology-enabled spaces designed to help organizations foster creative thinking and better collaboration.
- COVER: Boss Builds Brand in North America - Boss Design is the latest to build its furniture in the U.S. And after just six months of seriously focusing on making its products here, the move is paying dividends.
- Road Trippin': Loctek Lands in Livermore to Help You Get Moving - The company, founded 20 years ago in China, has made a name for itself by building low-cost options to get people moving in the office.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Branding Guts = Business Glory
- Stephen Says - "Posting From the Oscars: What If That Guy Worked For You?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Next Gen - OM Studio Collaborates with CSULB Industrial Design
- PLACES - Sysrepublic Offices – London
- BoF NEWS - Prep Continues for the CBRE Furniture Forum: Unraveling Furniture Frustrations
- BoF NEWS - Configura signs Sunon
- BoF NEWS - Antimicrobial Products? Just say NO!
- Whiteboard - Apple's Spaceship Campus will lead to more Innovative Workplace Design / Holistically Rethinking the Workplace / The Digital Nomad's Guide To Working From Anywhere On Earth
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from LightArt, EKO, Innovations, Shelby Williams, Brentano, Camira, & Creation Baumann
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - March, 2017
- TRENDS | FULLSCREEN OFFICES, NEW YORK CITY - Rapt Studio has designed the new offices of youth media company Fullscreen, located in New York City. For this global youth media company, home is where the content is. And Fullscreen is how you find it. The young startup, featuring videos made by creators around the world, wanted their space to reflect the community they've created and inspire everyone inside.
- A FURNITURE SHOW IS HAPPENING IN CHINA: HOW IT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU WORK - Show organizers say the "Made in China" label connotation is less and less that of poor quality and low price, and instead is now able to provide appropriate and tangible solutions even for a medium-high client sector target.
- STATE OF THE MARKET: OCCUPIER PERSPECTIVE - The latest research from Cushman & Wakefield.
- A PLACE OF THEIR OWN: HERMAN MILLER AND IBOTTA TEAM UP TO CREATE IDYLLIC LIVING WORKSPACE - Employees of the tech company were overwhelmed with excitement and pride when they moved from a windowless, cramped (former fire station) basement workspace to an entire floor in Denver's tallest high-rise last March.
- THE GROWING VALUE OF OUTDOOR WORKSPACE - For years, designers, architects and facility managers have been measuring and improving interior workspace. But, as technology untethers us from set work locations and workplace cultures relax, attention is turning to activate and measure dormant outdoor space with the same fervor.
- STREAMLINING FOR SUCCESS WITH PROGRESSLY IN THE WORKPLACE - Having received $6 million in funding, the company's technology consolidates these workplace processes with one standard, making it simpler to perform daily team tasks and projects.
- MARCH MADNESS COSTS ECONOMY $1.9 BILLION (AND HOW TO DEAL WITH IT IN THE OFFICE) - Recent statistics reveal March Madness has become more popular than ever, thanks in large part to the worldwide betting on the games.
- WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE A STAND - Unless you live under a rock you have probably heard that "Sitting is the New Smoking" or maybe that "Your Chair is Killing You." We can thank James Levine of the Mayo Clinic for really bringing this subject into the spotlight back in 2014 when he published his research on NEAT, Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. NEAT is the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating or sports-like exercise.
- WORKPLACES - DESIGNING EXPERIENCES - Brand new research from Gensler on the latest trends in workplace design. The new workplace is a moving target - as organizations flatten, collaboration increases, and technology frees workers from their desks.
- PRODUCT MATTER - This month you'll find reviews of ESI Lustre LED Task Light, Beyouneeq's Wipenote Dry Erase Notebook, and the Master Lock Bluetooth Indoor Padlock. which, to be fair, didn't impress us.
- ENDMATTER - Bob - New lounge seating from Swedish designers Stefan Borselius and Thomas Bernstand. Why are People Searching for Better Places to Work? Microsoft's new offices in Milan. Metal Wall features transforms outdated office lobby.
Business of Furniture - March 1, 2017
- UPFRONT: Herman Miller: Creating the 'Tapestry of the Room' - Overdrive capitalizes on the progress already made through Shift and accelerates Herman Miller's "transformation into a modern lifestyle brand."
- Configura hosts BitCamp for girls - because software and coding isn't just for guys - Configura's BitCampGR event featured a tour of the company's Grand Rapids office and the opportunity to meet with programmers, including women.
- 3Form Provides the Frame, Designers Paint the Picture with New Wood Frame Product - Wood Frame is a floor-to-ceiling mounted partition system that is easy to install and adaptable to the needs of any space.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Changing the Very Core of Who You Are
- Stephen Says - "Gossip is Gold, Except When It Is About You: How to Use and Not Let Gossip Abuse You or Your Company." - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Sequoia Consulting Offices – San Mateo
- BoF NEWS - Interface Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2016 Sales Declines
- BoF NEWS - Kimball Office Launches Innovative Technology
- BoF NEWS - Coalesse Introduces Updates to Global Best-Seller SW_1
- Whiteboard - Three Ways Technology is Improving The Office / Strategically Rethinking the Workplace / Liquidspace's Newest Service Reinvents Office Design
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from National Office Furniture, Boss Design, Wilkhahn and BuzziSpace
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 22, 2017
- UPFRONT: Spring CIFF Promises to be Bigger, Better - As organizers of the 39th CIFF in Guangzhou prepare for the massive furniture fair, they are making an increasingly compelling case for attending the show.
- Office Big Box Realspace Competes with Cool, Casual Furniture - Customers want to express their personal style in their workspaces and are seeking functional areas in their homes that are more flexible than the traditional home office and still complement their existing home décor.
- 3M Window Film Moves Light Farther Into Office - The 3M Daylight Redirecting Film is an alternative for light shelves or redirecting blinds.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Why Only 64 Percent of Projects Meet Their Goals: Promises, Promises...
- Stephen Says - "Dealer Eat Dealer Recruiting: How to Hit Your Competitor Where it Hurts All on Your Own" - by Stephen Viscusi
- NOTED - Design Futures Council event in the UK last week hosted by Steelcase.
- PLACES - SapientRazorfish Offices – London
- BoF NEWS - ASID Index Shows Continued Strength; Outlook Bright
- BoF NEWS - Dancker, Sellew & Douglas Changes Name to Dancker
- BoF NEWS - BIFMA Approves New Office Chair Standard
- Whiteboard - How to Design a Creative Brainstorming Space in the Office / Digital Workplace is Ineffective Without Workers' Technical Empowerment / Dystopian Office Tech uses Sensors to Track Workers' Every Move
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Pallas Textiles, ERG, Nightingale, Spec, Designtex & Maharam
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - February 15, 2017
- UPFRONT: Knoll Reports Fourth Quarter Sales Slump - Net sales were $292.9 million for the fourth quarter, a decrease of 4.2%, from the fourth quarter of 2015.
- The Science of Product Design: Solving Acoustics Beautifully with Burgeree - With the decline of systems installations, acoustics has not surprisingly reared its ugly head again as a key design challenge.
- UnWork helps BCG create an office of the future in Hudson Yards, New York - The idea of space that is a destination and provides an exciting place to be were two of the guiding principles behind the new BCG workplace at 10 Hudson Yards on Manhattan's far west side.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - The Next Big Thing for Design Marketing ... Get Ready cause "You're Gonna need a Bigger Boat"
- Stephen Says - "Conundrum: What If You Received This Email?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- NOTED - Herman Miller team showing off the remastered Aeron chair at the Stockholm Design Fair last week.
- PLACES - McCann Offices – Toronto
- BoF NEWS - Haworth Sales Grew 6.4% in 2016
- BoF NEWS - HNI Corporation Reports Increased Earnings For Fiscal Year 2016 as Sales Fell
- BoF NEWS - CBRE to Host Upcoming Event Examining 'Pressure Points' in the Industry
- Whiteboard - The See-Through Office: Why Interior Glass Is All The Rage In Workplace Design / The Open Office: What's Working And What's Not? / Workplace Design Is Failing Knowledge Workers, Says Study
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Nightingale, Versteel, Magis, Maharam & BuzziSpace
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - CIFF Special Edition - February 13, 2017
- 39th CIFF (China International Furniture Fair) - The world’s largest furniture exhibition and the most important business platform in Asia, is opening soon in Guangzhou!
-
The Fair is Held in 2 Phases -
The second phase from March 28-31 is dedicated to the office furniture, commercial furniture, hotel furniture and furniture machinery & raw materials industries.
Under the theme of Smart Office, Smart Work, with a total scale of 210,000 square meters, the Office Show is the world’s largest office furniture trade fair. It will bring together famous brands from countries and regions including China, Denmark, Australia, Korea, Malaysia, India, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Chinese and foreign professional visitors, designer teams, medical & healthcare industry insiders and industry experts will gather to seize unlimited opportunities. A pleasant office environment and humanized office furniture have become one of the important factors to increase work efficiency and enhance cohesion among workmates.
With the theme of "Better Life, Better Work", CIFF 2017 will spare no effort to enhance exhibition quality and provide excellent service, bringing closer connection among industry stakeholders. CIFF is the must-attend furniture industry event in Asia that provides all-round solutions for every attendee from afar.
- Guangzhou, China - Canton, or Guangzhou in Chinese, is the largest coastal city in South China, and the third largest city in the country, after Beijing and Shanghai, at all times a flourishing commercial centre, it is definitely one of the most prosperous cities in the country. Chaotic and lively, it unquestionably provides numerous opportunities for you to enjoy yourself and relax after the fair, and to return home with a full stock of memories and photographs.
Business of Furniture - February 8, 2017
- UPFRONT: Kimball Sales, Profits Continue to Increase in Latest Quarter - Net sales in the second quarter of fiscal year 2017 increased 4 percent from the prior year second quarter.
- Paperworld Outlines Office of the Future - As part of The Office of the Future exhibit, there were unique spaces designed to show how modern offices must cater to a new generation of employees.
- Cover: Symbiote Counts on Quality Over Quantity - Symbiote is good at "turning the knob" a little and adjusting its products for its customer's specific needs.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Your Future Lies in Customer Success
- Stephen Says - "Tired of Saying Sorry When You're Not? Me Too!" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Whiteboard Offices – Chattanooga
- BoF NEWS - Herman Miller Announces Restructuring to Implement 'Overdrive' Strategy
- BoF NEWS - Retiring Custer Founder and CEO Reflects on 36 Years of Business
- BoF NEWS - Configura Exhibits Virtual Reality Technologies at Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair
- BoF NEWS - The Aram Gallery, in Association with Humanscale Present No Randomness
- BoF NEWS - Coalesse Expands Federal Business Opportunities Through Updated GSA Contract
- BoF NEWS - HNI Corporation Announces the Retirement of Kevin Stark, Vice President of Design
- Whiteboard - Whiteboard Is An Open Office Plan Healthy For Your Staff? / The Well Living Lab Attempts to Connect Human Health With Buildings
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from HBF, Nightingale, Source International, Magnuson, Arper & Brentano
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - February, 2017
- THE SKINNY ON CHEMISTRY: WORKPLACE SUSTAINABILITY - The office furniture industry considers itself to be ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability regulations. Many in the industry's manufacturing sector have initiatives that go beyond compliance and view some environmental regulation as a low bar which they can clear with ease. From what we've seen, that claim is often justified. Kudos all around. So when we saw the recent EPA announcement about a new evaluation protocol under the Toxic Substance Control ACT (TSCA, pronounced "TOSCA" if you're in-the-know), we took notice.
- TRENDS | CLOUDFLARE OFFICES IN LONDON - UK-based Jump Studios has designed the first UK office for the Internet performance company Cloudflare. The design has transformed a former paper factory in London's Southwark area into a bright, efficient space, capable of accommodating a growing workforce of programmers and salespeople.
- URB-E: A LAST MILE SOLUTION - With 70% of the world's population living in urban cities by 2025, commuters will need efficient, compact and sustainable modes of transportation to get them from home to the office to everywhere inbetween. One solution to that problem is URB-E, a foldable, two-wheeled electric vehicle.
- FOR SMITHGROUP JJR, NEW OFFICE IS ALL ABOUT CHOICE - The SmithGroup's decision to move its offices happened for the same reason as many of its customers: The firm was growing and needed more space. So it decided to use its own office to test many of the latest workplace trends.
- ACOUSTIC HACKS TO COMBAT OFFICE DIN - Offices are a notorious soundscape of pings, creaks and echoes that reverberate incessantly: clothes rustling, furniture moving, doors opening, phones ringing and colleagues talking.
- COWORKING ISN'T JUST ABOUT WORK: WHY EVENTS ARE NEEDED IN SHARED SPACES - Co-working spaces are on the vanguard of workplace trends, forgoing the corporate model to form an innovative, professional community. But enticing membership rates and amenities are not enough to sustain a collective of otherwise disparate solopreneurs. Events act as social glue that promotes a friendly atmosphere of networking and business alliances. Learning how to plan the right mix of events will energize your members.
- "WORK MARTYRS" AND WHY THEY MUST BE STOPPED - Work martyrs, as defined by Project: Time Off, are employees who believe it is difficult to take vacation because no one else at the company can do their work while away, who want to show complete dedication to their company and job, who don't want to appear replaceable and who would feel guilty for using their paid time off.
- FINDING THE SPACE FOR MEDITATION AT WORK - The business benefits of meditation are numerous. So many people are searching for sacred spaces to clear their heads that meditation spots like MNDFL in New York City and The DEN in Los Angeles are booked solid throughout the day, offering 30-45 minutes of respite.
- POSTURE FRIENDLY FURNITURE JUST ONE PIECE OF THE HEALTHY OFFICE PUZZLE - Research shows sitting around all day is hazardous to your health. Physicians say sitting is the new smoking.
- PRODUCT MATTER - Reviews of Neutral Posture's Forearm Support, Goldtouch Wireless Semi-Vertical Mouse, Dihome's Mini Projector and Voke Tab natural Energy.
Business of Furniture - February 1, 2017
- UPFRONT: BIFMA Aftershock Speaker Lineup Best in Years - The office furniture industry was gathering for BIFMA's Leadership Conference, dubbed The 360°, just as President Donald Trump was beginning his first week in office.
- Economist: Globalism Making Way For Nationalism - The peak of globalization, she believes, happened in 2001 when Europe adopted a single currency. It has been on the decline since then.
- Trade Wars: How Sanctions Might Hurt Office Furniture - Trump has complained that China has prospered over the last few decades by focusing its economy on low-cost manufacturing for foreign markets at the expense of the American worker.
- COVER - Luxo's L-1, which heralded the modern era in lighting, turns 80
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - The Unconventional Guide to Wasting Sales Dollars
- Stephen Says - "I Know When You Don't Wash Your Hands, and I'm Not the Only One" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Eclectic IQ Offices – Amsterdam
- BoF NEWS - Möbel360, Independently Owned Herman Miller Dealer, Opens in Montreal, Quebec
- BoF NEWS - Teknion Wins a Pair of 2017 Green Good Design Awards
- BoF NEWS - National Office Furniture Launches SpecStudio Online Visualization Tool
- Whiteboard - Cisco's Affordable Spark Board Wants To Change How You Conduct Meetings / Six Tips To Update Your Workspace For The Office Renaissance / 5 Essential Elements of Office Space Design
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Carnegie and KFI
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 25, 2017
- UPFRONT: BIFMA Leadership Conference Examines Aftershock - The BIFMA Leadership Conference, now simply called The 360°, kicked off Monday evening in St. Petersburg, Fla. with a powerful keynote address and some speedy dining.
- COVER: LDI Grows its Brands and Reach Through Acquisition - Prior to last year, few in the office furniture industry gave much thought to Safco and its parent company, Liberty Diversified International.
- Everyone Needs an Oasis in the Office - The company was started by Chief Executive Officer Bryan Daisy and his wife, Claire, in 1989. It started as an importer of Danish furniture, but Daisy realized the limitations of the business model. He wanted to do things differently and provide businesses with ready-designed standard solutions, or tailor-made answers to their storage and office.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Check Out the Tech
- CoLaboration - Scott Lesizza - Proceed with Caution: Signs that an Employee is Considering Leaving
- CoLaboration - Steven L. Blue - Why Incentive Programs Fail
- Stephen Says - "Is Your Email Address Costing You a Job?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Slack HQ - New York City
- BoF NEWS - Configura announces partnership with Open Systems Technologies - the two global firms expand capabilities
- BoF NEWS - Trial Date Set for Baker Trademark Lawsuit
- BoF NEWS - OFM Expands Into Everyday Furniture / Keilhauer Wins Two 2016 GOOD DESIGN Awards / New Manufacturer Representative Group in Midwest / Melissa Morris Joins CBRE / AIS Announces the Return of Mark Facciani / Dani Leather Hires North America Sales Manager / AIS Hires Tracy Reed / Much More...
- Whiteboard - What Uber Can Tell Us About the Future Workplace / After Two Years Of Trying 6-Hour Workdays, These Companies Say It Worked / A Futuristic Office Is Less Important Than An Office That's Good For Workers
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Okamura, ICF, Keilhauer & Luum
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 18, 2017
- UPFRONT: BIFMA Leadership Conference to Convene in St. Pete - The conference always has a top-notch lineup of speakers, almost all of whom have nothing to do with the office furniture industry.
- Office Furniture from Amazon? Online Retailer is Threat or Boon to Industry, Depending on Who You Ask - Amazon is a danger and a darling to the traditional office furniture industry. For some, it opens up the market to low price, cut-rate office furniture makers from Asia who previously had a hard time breaking into the North American market.
- Upcoming: 39th edition of CIFF in Guangzhou - The Made in China label connotation is less and less that of poor quality and low price, and instead is now able to provide appropriate and tangible solutions even for a medium-high client sector target.
- FEATURE - Experts in Design, Ergonomics, Technology and Sustainability Reveal Insights in a Changing Landscape
- COVER - Fully is a Retailer Focused on Ergonomics
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Cultivating Referrals
- Stephen Says - "Eighty-Year-Old Reps? Why Do People In This Industry Work Until the Grave?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- NOTED - The 17th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Corporate Breakfast; MSNBC at Trendway
- PLACES - Wink Offices – Manhattan
- BoF NEWS - The Science of Product Design: Bill Marras Puts His Back into His Work
- BoF NEWS - Kimball Office awards Premier Partner Award
- Whiteboard - Why Open Offices are Bad for Us; The Way A Space Feels Is Just As Important As The Way It Looks; Open Plan Offices Ruin Our Productivity
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Encore, FLOS, Poliform,Designtex, and Ultrafabrics
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 11, 2017
- UPFRONT: Interface to Exit FLOR Retail Channel - Changes will include workforce reductions of approximately 70 FLOR team members and a number of other employees in the commercial business in the Americas and Europe regions, and write-downs of certain underutilized assets.
- Strikeout: Why American Seating Left Stadium Seating - The sale is the culmination of an ongoing effort by the company to optimize its operations and resources and pursue significant growth opportunities in the transportation seating market.
- Let it Snowsound, Let it Snowsound, Let it Snowsound! - Snowsound has found itself in the right time and the right place. Everyone is moving into the open plan, and the aesthetic in the office is, simply put, really loud.
- FEATURE - Humanscale and Tome's OfficeIQ is Getting People Active at Work
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Smoke and Mirrors - Part 2
- Stephen Says - "HR Director Asks: Why Does it Take Us So Long to Make a Hire?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - DES Architects + Engineers Offices – San Francisco
- BoF NEWS - Industry Vet Buys Philly Herman Miller Dealer
- BoF NEWS - Logicdata, Bellow Press to Launch Innovation Series
- Whiteboard - The workplaces of 2017 will see a revolution in design / Beyond Millennials: Meet the new Group Inspiring Workplace Innovation
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Allseating, Magnuson, HON, Arc|Com
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - January 4, 2017
- UPFRONT: American Seating Selling Architectural Fixed Seating Business to Irwin Seating - The transaction is expected to close in March 2017, pending due diligence.
- Autonomous Promises Tech for Less - Technology is part of everything, changing the way we communicate, learn, listen to music, drive our cars and, increasingly, design our office furniture. Autonomous is another new company that is part of a small, but growing number of office furniture makers that have roots in technology.
- Enwork Studio Collection Lures West Coast Techies - Silicon Valley technology companies understand the need for a healthy, happy workforce, but they also want furniture that speaks to the culture of the organization.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Clearing the Smoke
- Stephen Says - "Slow Start to the New Year" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Health Plan San Mateo – San Francisco
- BoF NEWS - Flat Results, Forecast for Herman Miller
- BoF NEWS - Making Sense of Manufacturer Certifications
- Whiteboard - Workplace Trends That Will Boom in 2017 / Designing space for virtual collaboration in an untethered world
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from HON, Wolf Gordon & Arc|Com
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 21 & 28, 2016
- UPFRONT: Low Cost VR Helps Designers Show Off Space - Yulio is a DIY virtual reality platform for those in the business of designing spaces.
- DIY Luxury Style: Emerging Custom Furniture Designer Finds His Niche - Design It Yourself designs and builds custom furniture for commercial and residential spaces and provides a wide selection of table tops, table legs and accessories for amateur and professional furniture builders.
- Byrne Partners with Shinola on New Consumer Product - While some in the industry might be surprised by Byrne's collaboration with such a hip consumer-facing brand, the company has steadily worked to position itself as a supplier capable of customization.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Sales Enablement for the Rest of Us
- Stephen Says - "Your Wife is on Your LinkedIn picture? Are You Kidding Me?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Threadless
- BoF NEWS - Steelcase Reports Flat Quarterly Results
- BoF NEWS - Maars Living Walls celebrates Seventy Years
- BoF NEWS - EthoSource Celebrate its 15th Anniversary
- BoF NEWS - Rebecca and Bobby Boenigk named 2016 Community Builders of the Year
- BoF NEWS - ESI Ergonomic Solutions Promotes Robert Day
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from HON and HBF
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 14, 2016
- UPFRONT: Steelcase Quarter Expected to be Slightly Below Guidance, but Better Than Previous Year - Revenue in the Americas was negatively impacted by lower than expected growth in day-to-day business.
- Wilkhahn Celebrates Success with Windy City Party - The company announced earlier this year it would manufacture some of its products sold in North America in the U.S.
- Matchmaking in the Workplace - PivotDesk space-sharing arrangements are month-to-month. Nobody is locked into a sublease or a long-term contract. Hosts can have their space back whenever they need it.
- FEATURE - Wolf-Gordon Continues to Excavate Office Ideas
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Transparency: The Power of Becoming Customer-Centered
- Stephen Says - "All Eyes on You at the Holiday Party, Even Unwanted Ones" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Sky Central
- BoF NEWS - Inscape Reports Sales, Profits on the Rise
- BoF NEWS - Virco Reports Third Quarter Sales Rose 3%
- BoF NEWS - Lift Mechanism Maker Linak plans $33M Expansion in Louisville
- BoF NEWS - Inscape Restructures Organization
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from RightAngle, Teknion, ICF & Global
- COLORS - Pantone's Color of the Year: Greenery
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - December 7, 2016
- UPFRONT: Knoll Purchase of DatesWeiser Opens Door to Conference Room and Custom Furniture - The company continues to acquire complementary companies that compete in the contract furniture and furnishings world and add a different dimension to its core office furniture business.
- North American Exhibition Planned for London Event - The North American exhibition will be as unique as the event itself.
- The Next Evolution of the Humble Pedestal File - When a major West Coast tech firm asked Great Openings to create a custom mobile storage unit to be considered for a large project last year, the Ludington, Michigan-based company set to work.
- FEATURE - Proper Posture and Movement Decreases Stress and Injury
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Transparency: The Power of Removing Walls
- Stephen Says - "Sales Goals Are Too High? It’s Groundhog’s Day for Reps" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - MOBI
- BoF NEWS - National Ergonomics Conference Keynotes Provide Wide Range of Information
- BoF NEWS - Humanscale Partners with Thrive Global
- BoF NEWS - Steelcase Earns Perfect Score in Corporate Equality Index
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from J+J Flooring and LightArt
- SNAPSHOT - IIDEXCanada
- EVENT WRAP - Teknion at IIDEXCanada
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - December, 2016 / January, 2017
- WEST ELM PLANTS SEEDS IN BROOKLYN - Home furnishings retailer West Elm's workforce moved into its new DUMBO offices (a Brooklyn neighborhood that gets its name because it is Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) in August and since taking possession of the space, it has become a living laboratory for its West Elm Workspace with Inscape brand while serving as a hip hub for its 320 employees. And what a space it is. West Elm was committed to staying in its home in Brooklyn, where the company was founded in 2002.
- GEN XER FINDS PLACE AT HONG KONG WE WORK - We Work has made a huge investment in Hong Kong with the development of two sites in the city — one in Causeway Bay and the other in Wanchai — for a combined total of 15 floors. Like We Work offices in other cities around the world, there are common areas on each floor with coffee and beer taps, "phone booths" for private calls and communal copy machines.
- POWER UP YOUR WORKSPACE: CHARGING OPTIONS FOR ACTIVE OFFICES - While mobile devices (like all the ones we carry every day) have liberated us from working at a single spot throughout the day, that pesky issue of battery life remains. Many offices were designed in an era when electrical sockets along the walls were more than sufficient for our desktop devices. Now that layouts are flexible and dynamic, supporting new configurations with power can be a challenge. In this feature you'll find some charging solutions that will keep employees connected no matter where they work.
- INSIDESALES.COM & DATA MINING THE GREAT MILLENNIAL SHIFT - Millennials have officially surpassed baby boomers as the nation's largest living generation, dominating the workforce and causing businesses to scramble to meet their demands. You may be thinking, "not another article about millennials," but — spoiler alert — this one will have an interesting twist.
- PRODUCT MATTERS - If you do a lot of writing, you understand what an important tool a pen like the Ti2 TechLiner still is in this digital world. The new MacBook Pro is faster, thinner and lighter. The company touts its new MacBooks for an even brighter, more colorful display as well. It is one of the most technically advanced work tools ever built. Though it is a great machine, it still has a couple of grumble-worthy features as well.
- VITRA OUTLINES WORK AT ORGATEC - When the organizers of Orgatec approached Vitra Chief Executive Officer Nora Fehlbaum about taking an entire hall at the biennial trade fair in Cologne, Germany, she declined. How would a single company fill out an entire 12,000 square meter hall into a cohesive story about its brand, even one as iconic as Vitra? Upon reflection, Fehlbaum said she started to see it as an opportunity to curate an environment that went beyond office furniture.
- "GET TO THE HEART" BOOK BY TED FRANK - Everyone who has walked into an office to work has sat through mind-numbing presentations. They are the bane of office dwellers everywhere. But what if everyone put the movie industry's storytelling secrets into their presentations to make them clear and compelling?
- PERSONAL BRANDING IS A BUSINESS IMPERATIVE - Many companies and business professionals tend to be unaware of how they perform as a brand and how important a brand is.
- WHAT MAKES A WORKPLACE GREAT FOR WOMEN? - Recognizing talent, as well as the competitive advantages and skills women in the workplace provide, has been key to Transwestern's success in the industry.
Business of Furniture - November 30, 2016
- UPFRONT: Herman Miller Flagship Influence Stretches Beyond Retail - The opening of the Flagship, as the company calls it, is an example of its branding strategy in action, says Ben Watson, executive creative director.
- What a Little Outfit from Zeeland has Brought to the Big Apple - Herman Miller's success always has been a study in contrasts. New York ideas and Michigan know-how, innovative expression and generations-deep craft, piety and play all form the essence of the output and appeal.
- Clarus Finds Its Products Popular at Home Too - Occasionally, an office product becomes a surprise home hit, even to the company that makes it. That's what happened to Clarus Glassboards and its go! Mobile product, a design-friendly portable whiteboard with an office pedigree and a growing number of residential fans.
- FEATURE - What Makes a Workplace Great for Women?
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Transparency: The Power of the Customer's Voice
- Stephen Says - "Keep Your Cold to Yourself" - by Stephen Viscusi
- CoLaboration - "7 Small Workplace Changes that Make the Big Impact" - by Scott Lesizza
- PLACES - Karma
- BoF NEWS - Configura Releases Version 7.5 of CET Designer
- BoF NEWS - Kimball Office DC Showroom Achieves LEED-CI Gold
- BoF NEWS - Healthcare Leader Returns to HDR
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Fitterfirst, Arc-Com, Camira, Innovations
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 23, 2016
- UPFRONT: ErgoExpo Continues to Grow in Size and Importance - The National Ergonomics Conference and ErgoExpo may not be the largest show for the industry, but it is the only one of its kind.
- Herman Miller Opens First Stand-Alone Retail Store in NYC - The store occupies 6,000 square feet on the ground and second floors of Herman Miller's multi-level presence at 251 Park Avenue South in Manhattan.
- Ergo Impact Launches LeanRite - At the National Ergonomics Conference & ErgoExpo in Las Vegas last week, Ergo Impact, a new company focused on the healthy workplace, launched its first product, LeanRite, a perching/sitting/leaning product designed to get workers moving from position to position in the office.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Investing into Sales & Marketing, part 3
- Stephen Says - "Can Scruff Get a Man Fired?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Square
- BoF NEWS - GM Drives Furniture Reuse with Herman Miller
- BoF NEWS - Unique Furniture Shows Off SOHO Offerings
- AWARDED - OM's Truly. gets the hat trick
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from National Office Furniture, UnSit, Designtex, ERG & Brentano
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 16, 2016
- UPFRONT: NeoCon East: Did it Suffer from Post-Prez Hangover? - It was an important year for NeoCon East as the show, which moved to Philadelphia from Baltimore last year, tried to get its footing in a new location. Whether NeoCon East was a success this year depended on who you asked.
- Mükava Created to Make Your Tab Fab - The brand and its products started out in the U.S. market, but are beginning to be distributed in Europe and Asia.
- Not Everyone's Old: Millennial Starts Rep Group in Kentucky - The aging of the office furniture industry has a lot of executives wringing their hands about what they can do about bringing younger generations — and a different and new way of thinking — into the fold.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Investing into Sales & Marketing, part 2
- Stephen Says - "Hate Them Or Love Them, You Gotta Drink With Them" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - MOBI
- BoF NEWS - NeoCon East: Did it Suffer from Post-Prez Hangover?
- BoF NEWS - NeoCon East Keynotes Deliver Dose of Design
- BoF NEWS - DIRTT Posts Record Third Quarter Revenues
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from ErgoCentric, Trendway, Kimball, & Pallas
- SNAPSHOT - HCD - Healthcare Design Expo; BDNY - Boutique Design New York
- AWARDS - Latest winners
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 9, 2016
- UPFRONT: NeoCon East Kicks Off Todays - Last year was the first in Philadelphia, and exhibitors liked the venue change. There's more to do in Philadelphia outside the show, and it is easier to book a nice dinner than it was when the show was in Baltimore.
- Another Timeless Classic at Herman Miller - Gerb Kingma's accumulated knowledge of the company's culture, history and designs makes him an invaluable resource and mentor to Herman Miller's sales personnel in his role on the corporate customer experience team.
- Falcon to Introduce Kubo Sound-Absorbing Cubes at NeoCon East - Kubo works a lot like ceiling baffles, sound absorbing panels that are hung to reduce noise in a large room.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Investing into Sales & Marketing, part 1
- Stephen Says - "The Hiring Tap is Dry, but Only in the Off-Season?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - ING Bank
- BoF NEWS - NeoCon East: The Region's Most Important Commercial Interiors Event Offers Insider Look at New Design Trend
- BoF NEWS - Rightsize Opens the Doors to a New Office in Downtown Milwaukee
- BoF NEWS - Kimball Office Receives EDspaces Innovation Award
- FIRST LOOKS - New products from Allseating and Flos
- SNAPSHOT - Humanscale's PopUp Showroom
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Business of Furniture - November 2, 2016
- UPFRONT: Orgatec: Why It Still Matters - What you see on the massive trade show stands in Cologne literally defines how your office will be organized, outfitted and look, so it is important to watch the trends coming out of the fair.
- NeoCon East Offers Wealth of Smart Market Ready Solution - This year, 200 top companies will show a wide range of market-ready solutions spanning the workplace, health care, education, retail and hospitality sectors, as well as the largest concentration of products and services supported by the GSA.
- Vitra Outlines Work at Orgatec - To create Work, Vitra selected design, architecture and technology companies to share the exhibition space.
- FEATURE - Configura Holds Conference in Grand Rapids
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - The Conversation Cloud and Transparency
- Stephen Says - "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - DoubleDutch
- BoF NEWS - Orgatec Look Book
- BoF NEWS - The Desirable Dozen: 12 Products at Orgatec Worth a Look
- BoF NEWS - Over: Orgatec Ends On Positive Note
- BoF NEWS - Kimball Posts Income "Best in 15 Years"
- BoF NEWS - Mondopad "Wows" in Meadows Office Interiors Installation
- BoF NEWS - NeoCon East Will Deliver Powerful + Productive Industry Moment for the Northeast Region
- BoF NEWS - NeoCon East - A Wealth of Smart Market Ready Solutions
- FIRST LOOKS - Flexsteel, Camira, National Office
- So Much More Every Week - Industry Moments, Industry Portfolio, Hutch, Industry Events, The Stream, Industry Pulse, Industry Classifieds & Careers
Workplaces Magazine - November, 2016
- DISTRACTION & VIRTUAL REALITY - WORKPLACE TECH - Tech in the workplace is vital to communication, both externally and within organizations. We are surounded by screens– laptops, phones, tablets, televisions– and while they are all necessary to the everyday work we do, they also cause distraction and loss of focus on that very same work.
- JLL'S OFFICE OUTLOOK - Neither Brexit nor summer vacation were able to slow the office leasing market during the third quarter and by the end of September, U.S. leasing volume totaled nearly 60 million square feet—4.4 percent higher than the fourth-quarter trailing average—and expansionary leases comprised the largest share of 20,000-square-foot-and-larger leases at 47.1 percent.
- FROM THE STREETS OF SPAIN TO THE DEPARTMENT STORES OF AMERICA: SOLUDOS NURTURES ITS SOLE - When Nick Brown was a boy, he often traveled to Spain from his native England on holiday where he loved the laid-back Spanish lifestyle. Life there seemed to slow down with things getting done on their own time, poco a poco (little by little). And for Brown, those memories are embodied by the shoes he wore while on vacation: espadrilles..
- FURNITURE MAKERS: PREPARE AS GEN Z ENTERS THE OFFICE, MORE CHANGE IS COMING - So, who is Generation Z and what types of offices will they need to succeed now that Millennials have changed the conversation?
- HOW AN EVENT IN COLOGNE, GERMANY WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU WORK - Once every two years, an office furniture show is held in Cologne, Germany, that will define the way you work, how the office will look and what the workplace will be for years to come.
- REMASTERING A CLASSIC: HERMAN MILLER LAUNCHES NEW AERON - Herman Miller has enhanced the chair by combining the latest insights since Aeron was first launched in 1994.
- THE PHENOMENON KNOWN AS AERON - A certain, reliable cash cow for Herman Miller.
- PERSONAL BRANDING IS A BUSINESS IMPERATIVE - Many companies and business professionals tend to be unaware of how they perform as a brand and how important a brand is.
- PRODUCT MATTERS - Who needs an organizer when you have a smart phone? I get it. Digitally organizing one's life is wonderful. But for those of us who need to write things down — ideas, contacts, events — there's nothing like a Filofax Personal Organizer. Also Microsoft's Universal Foldable Keyboard, Aromatherapy for the workplace and Amped Bluetooth Neck Bands.
- COWORKING: A CORPORATE REAL ESTATE PERSPECTIVE - An unfamiliar concept 10 years ago and poorly understood even now, coworking is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the commercial real estate market. In the few years since the concept began to take hold, the industry has grown to include more than 11,000 shared workspaces around the globe.
- END MATTER - Nissan has collaborated with UK-based design workshop studio Hardie to transform its zero emission 'E-NV200 van into the world's first all-electric mobile office–the 'ENV200 workspace'.
Business of Furniture - October 26, 2016
- UPFRONT: Orgatec 2016: Relevant and Fresh - Orgatec itself seems to be suffering slightly from a truly interconnected world. In the past, the show was a game changing event that defined the office for the two years that followed.
- Big (dark) Blue Works with Blu Dot - To make things easy for dealers, Steelcase is plugging Blu Dot into its Smart Tools software and order management system. Steelcase will take care of the logistics, getting the Blu Dot items to its customers through a single order with the rest of the Steelcase products.
- Remastering a Classic: Herman Miller Launches New Aeron - With the input of original co-designer Don Chadwick, and a team of scientists, engineers, materials specialists and researchers who worked on the project for over two years,
- FEATURE - What to look for at Orgatec
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - 7 Habits of Salesmasters
- Stephen Says - "The Louder the Mouth, The Younger the Officemate" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Pinterest
- BoF NEWS - Knoll Reports Continued Growth and Margin Expansion
- BoF NEWS - HNI Reports Earnings
- BoF NEWS - Herman Miller Launches New Aeron in NYC
- SNAPSHOT - KI Celebrates Dōni in Style!
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Aeron Reborn - Special Edition - BoF - October 20, 2016
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REMASTERING A CLASSIC: HERMAN MILLER LAUNCHES NEW AERON -
The iconic Aeron chair, which for more than two decades has been the symbol of start-ups and creatives, is getting a major top-to-bottom overhaul that keeps the classic shape, but updates just about everything else on it.
With the input of original co-designer Don Chadwick, and a team of scientists, engineers, materials specialists and researchers who worked on the project for over two years, Herman Miller has enhanced the chair by combining the latest insights since Aeron was first launched in 1994.
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THE PHENOMENON KNOWN AS AERON -
When Herman Miller launched Aeron, the disruptively different chair design from the perfectly complementary minds of Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick, all heaven broke loose.
Despite a fair amount of focus-group dissonance and doubt, the chair debuted to approving, even awestruck throngs at Orgatec 1994. By the time I joined the Herman Miller communications team in the spring of 1998, Aeron had become an object of desire for many upwardly mobile office workers, as well as a reliable cash cow for Herman Miller’s employees and shareholders.
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FROM GERIATRIC INSPIRATION TO DESIGN CLASSIC: THE HISTORY OF THE AERON -
Simply put, the Herman Miller Aeron chair is the most important piece of office furniture ever built.
Herman Miller balked at what the designers first came up with, the Sarah chair, because, well, they didn’t know how to sell a high-end ergonomic chair for old people. So Stumpf and Chadwick went back to the drawing board.
Business of Furniture - October 19, 2016
- UPFRONT: Orgatec 2016 Opens Next Week - The show is fully booked, even as organizers added to the exhibition area by 20 percent. And that's without the help of some of the largest brands in the industry that are not exhibiting at Orgatec for some odd reason.
- How do Baby Boomers and Millennials Thrive in the Same Workspace? - Despite an initial wave of culture shock from Generation Xers, the majority recognize that it ain't hip to be square anymore and are open to bridging the generational divide.
- Old World Craftsmanship Meets Tech Automation - How one artisan tile company is leveraging technology to change the game and fight the notion that they're "just" a commodity.
- FEATURE - Making Offices More Beautiful, One Slice at a Time
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Discontinuous Change and Transparency
- Stephen Says - "Are Friendly Hires Friendly Fire?" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Apple
- BoF NEWS - A Unique Branding & Wayfinding Solution
- BoF NEWS - Herman Miller Recognized with Multiple Supplier Diversity Awards
- BoF NEWS - Meadows Office Interiors adds Director of Project Coordination and Director of Service Operations
- FIRST LOOKS - Source International, Falcon Products
- SNAPSHOT - Hon Launches Build, The Eyes have it
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - October 12, 2016
- UPFRONT: HNI to Close Paoli Plant in Orleans, Indiana - The plan is to begin phasing out the manufacturing operations in January. Some departments may leave the facility early in the year while others won’t be phased out until next fall.
- Allermuir Leads Senator into U.S. Market - Building its furniture in North America makes Senator much more price competitive than its European rivals.
- Big Box Explores Co-Working - Staples continues to expand its business services for store customers and online and on-the-go mobile and social apps, so it’s a natural evolution for the company to expand into co-working spaces, having found success already with in-store business centers.
- FEATURE - Davis Hopes Designers are Mindful of Zen
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - The Best-Laid Plans (part 2)
- Stephen Says - "Millennial Mayhem" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Instagram
- BoF NEWS - Safco to keep Mayline plant open
- BoF NEWS - Knoll Designs Featured in MoMA Exhibition How Should We Live? Propositions for the Modern Interior
- BoF NEWS - The Rise of Co-working
- FIRST LOOKS - Hon, Brentano, Arc|Com
- SNAPSHOT - A day at the Zoo, Greenbuild, Road Trip for Storr Office
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - October 5, 2016
- UPFRONT: Overseas Markets Wants to Open the World to Industry - North American brands are highly valued around the world, including products for the commercial interiors markets, which are consistently specified by architects and designers worldwide.
- Herman Miller alleges firm sold knock-off Eames products - For Herman Miller, the lawsuit comes as a part of the company's overall strategy to police and curtail unlawful use of its trademarks.
- Seating Inc. Puts Overstock to Good Use - On average, NAEIR members receive $18,000 worth of free merchandise each year.
- FEATURE - Chair Art Wows Furniture City During ArtPrize
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - The Best-Laid Plans
- Stephen Says - "Promises Lost" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Squarespace
- BoF NEWS - Vingerhoets to Lead Italian Unifor USA
- BoF NEWS - Interior Designers Understand the Value of Health and Wellness in the Built Environment
- FIRST LOOKS - Encore, Innovations & EKO
- SNAPSHOT - Interphase Interiors hosted Reggae on the Roof, Utrecht arm chair in production at the Cassina factory in Italy, Opening Today - Greenbuild
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Workplaces Magazine - October, 2016
- TEXTILE EVOLUTION IN THE WORKPLACE - THE FUTURE OF TECH - The "golden era" for contract textiles began with the advent of the cubicle in the open office. These so-called cube farms translated into large canvases for the color and texture of textiles. These soft materials aided in delivering the acoustic absorbency and privacy that 60", 72", and even 84" high panel systems provided. Toward the end of end of the millennium, the industry realized that panel heights were beginning to come down, leaving less room for fabric. Textile manufacturers certainly took notice as they saw yardage-per-workstation shrinking.
- THE RISE OF CO-WORKING - As one of the fastest-growing workplace movements of the last decade, co-working enables people from diverse backgrounds to work together in a common space. The number of co-working spaces around the world has increased by nearly 700 per cent since 2011. Globally, an estimated half a million people work in more than 7,800 shared workspaces today, a number which is expected to climb to 37,000 over the next two years.
- MARY KAY GOES PINK IN SHANGHAI - Mary Kay's Shanghai headquarters is a testament to the brand and the Chinese market's growing thirst for beauty products. And that beauty is reflected in the space, a remarkable office that holds the company's founding principles of empowering women and entrepreneurship dear.
- SWEAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS - DREAM (Dundee Real Estate Asset Management) recently remodeled its space in a way that shows how an office building created to celebrate individual achievement can be transformed into a showplace of collaboration.
- TURNING VIRTUAL GAMES INTO OFFICE REALITY - FunPlus is a mobile, social gaming company that puts fun first for players worldwide. The company's signature game, "Family Farm," is enjoyed by more than 6 million players each day and growing. Founded in 2010, FunPlus employs more than 400 people and is headquartered in Beijing, China, with offices in San Francisco and Vancouver. By focusing its market in Europe and the Middle East, it is number six on Facebook's gaming list, and number one in China.
- HARD WORK LEADS TO HARD PLAY FOR CEOS - Executives who compete in the CEO Challenges get a first-class experience at the event.
- LUNCHTIME YOGA SESSIONS LEAD TO CUBEFIT - It is urgent that companies lay a more holistic foundation for controlling organizational stress.
- PRODUCT MATTERS - After many miles and more years than I care to admit, it was time for a new bag to carry my laptop, other electronics and various things I carry to and from work and when I travel. •Now there is an affordable solution to help us overcome the lack of color memory or the ability to match colors. But the COLOR MUSE can do much more than just match paint. •My favorite currency converter is a free app. •How about rechargeable batteries that already come charged?
- RESEARCH: THE DRIVE TOWARD HEALTHIER BUILDINGS 2016 - 75% of owners want to achieve improved employee/tenant satisfaction when they invest in healthier buildings, but only 68% of architects, 51% of contractors and 41% of interior designers see this as a top goal for their clients.
Business of Furniture - September 28, 2016
- UPFRONT: Global Celebrates 50 by Positioning Itself for Next Half Century - Regardless of the Feldberg at the helm, Global's growth and success is a remarkable story.
- Bretford Explains Move Out of Furniture - It is getting out of furniture production and focusing instead on products that support technology.
- High Point Rolls Out Red Carpet to Hospitality Furniture - The idea for a special event within the High Point Market geared for the hospitality community arose from a focus group conducted during the April show.
- FEATURE - Distraction-Free Design is the Next Evolution of Your Workspace
- FEATURE - FlexJobs Announces Five Flexible Job Categories on the Rise
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - From a Different Point of View
- Stephen Says - "A New Job, A Satisfied Reader" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Fuhu
- BoF NEWS - Herman Miller Results
- BoF NEWS - Steelcase Results
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest from OM, Landscape Forms, Wilkhahn and Unika Vaev
- SNAPSHOT - KnollTextiles
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - September 21, 2016
- UPFRONT: It's Lights out for Kontor "the visual network for workplace design" - What happens when you take $10 million and a bunch of photos of workplaces? Apparently not much. Just ask the folks at Kontor.
- West Elm Workspaces Sweating the Details - In some ways, the trajectory of its product introductions is following a similar path to its launch into the contract office furniture market. West Elm, the retail furniture juggernaut, got into the office furniture industry because it couldn't find what it was looking for from anyone else.
- Lunchtime Yoga Sessions Lead to CubeFit - Workplace stress is a significant contributor to both health problems and costs. Americans are working longer and harder. Absenteeism due to job stress has escalated. It is urgent that companies lay a more holistic foundation for controlling organizational stress.
- EDITORIAL - What do YOU Have to Say?
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Communities of Trust
- Stephen Says - "From Diapers to Diapers: When Parents Become Our Children" - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - McCann Offices
- BoF NEWS - Humanscale First to Hit Living Product Target
- BoF NEWS - Neutral Posture Wins Texas Business Star Award
- BoF NEWS - Survey: Open Plan Threatens Productivity; Worker Peace of Mind
- BoF NEWS - Tips for Cultivating a Happy Workplace
- BoF NEWS - Virco Reports Flat Sales
- BoF NEWS - HNI Corporation Updates Earnings Guidance For Third Quarter And Fiscal Year 2016
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest from Arconas
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - September 14, 2016
- UPFRONT: CIFF Shanghai, Take 2 - Regardless of how CIFF's fall edition made its way to Shanghai or how it was organized at the massive National Exhibition & Convention Center, the office furniture makers that took over three halls there did their part to advance the Chinese industry.
- Disrupting Industry Norms, The Neenan Company Pioneers Integrated Real Estate Strategy - Integration is the lifeblood of The Neenan Co.
- Is Yours a Great Place to Work? - Overall, great workplaces seem to run the gamut in terms of business types, and there aren't necessarily specific ones more attuned to creating better places to work.
- FEATURE - Welcome to China; Furniture shows like this don't start and succeed because there is a need. They start and succeed because this country wants CIFF to happen.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Sales Prevention Syndrome
- Stephen Says - "Email Libel Is Forever Libel" - by Stephen Viscusi
- SNAPSHOTS - CIFF Shanghai, China
- SNAPSHOTS - KI Hosts San Francisco Showroom Opening
- SNAPSHOTS - Herman Miller
- PLACES - Pagerduty
- BoF NEWS - CIFF Shanghai Look Book
- BoF NEWS - Inscape Sales Surge in Latest Quarter
- BoF NEWS - Kimball Finally unloads Post Falls, ID Factory
- FIRST LOOKS - The latest Textiles
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - September 7, 2016
- UPFRONT: Shanghai Set to Host CIFF; Launches with Party - The show runs Wednesday through Saturday with several of the 13 massive halls filled with office furniture. The rest of the show will be filled with everything else that has to do with furniture.
- New COLOR MUSE Device Provides Option for Exact Color Matching - The COLOR MUSE app is unlike other color apps in the marketplace today, most of which only show a manufacturer's product catalog.
- Durst is a Driving Force in Interior Design - Within the contract interiors industry, Durst is widely regarded as an eloquent and engaging advocate and ambassador for the design profession.
- FEATURE - Humanscale Makes Headway in Living Product Challenge
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - The Train Drain
- Stephen Says - "Seeing Through Glassdoors" - by Stephen Viscusi
- SNAPSHOTS - InterContinental Hotel Shanghai, China
- BoF NEWS - Passing: KI Executive Norman Nance, 57
- BoF NEWS - Teknion Pursuing WELL Certification for its NYC and Toronto Showrooms
- BoF NEWS - Dekko Acquires Electri-Cable Assemblies
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Workplaces Magazine - September, 2016
- JLL'S OFFICE OUTLOOK 2Q 2016 - The first half of 2016 has, no doubt, been filled with surprises, but results from the second quarter indicate that office markets across the United States remain stable and are, in many cases, still growing. Expanding tenants drove further occupancy gains during the quarter, which were most pronounced in tech and Sun Belt markets where demand has been both persistent and growing.
- DISCOVER FINANCIAL CREATES URBAN HUB FOR CHICAGO EMPLOYEES - About 16 percent of Discover Financial Services' Chicago-area workforce — more than 3,000 people — live in the city and must commute to the company's Riverwoods headquarters. In ideal traffic conditions, which isn't often in one of the most snarled cities in the world, it takes about an hour to drive from Chicago to Riverwoods, a suburb northwest of downtown.
- DESIGN GROUP LEADS THE WAY WITH MOVE INTO OFFICE OF THE FUTURE - When you are the American Society of Interior Designers, workplace design matters, especially your own. So when the interior design group decided to move into a new headquarters in Washington, D.C., the organization knew it had to create a space that was not only functional for its own employees, but inspirational for its membership. The space had to reflect the best attributes of a workplace, but also the best thinking and best practices of an entire profession.
- POKEMON AS A WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT AT WORK? - The HealthyWager is an individual weight loss challenge where participants select their weight loss goal, decide on how long they want to take to lose the weight and how much they want to bet on their success, and then win if they successfully reach their goal.
- LACTATION ROOMS HELP WORKING MOTHERS TRANSITION BACK TO OFFICE - Lactation support can lower turnover rates, medical costs, sick time and absenteeism while improving productivity, morale and retention.
- FIREPLACES FIND A PLACE IN OFFICES - As humans, we naturally gravitate to fire and fireplaces. Fireplaces invite us to relax, linger and calm down. Wouldn't it be great to have a fireplace in an office, a place where stress is often high and clear thinking is critical?
- ALL-IN-ONE WORKSTATION DESIGNED AROUND USER - What started as a project to help a friend work through an injury turned into a business model to create the ultimate healthy workstation. Che Voigt and his business partner, John Speicher — he's the guy who was injured — went to work designing the Altwork Station and building a business around it. Perhaps because it came from outside the office furniture industry, the Altwork Station does look and function remarkably different from nearly anything else on the market
- PRODUCT MATTERS - An office chair can be described in many ways, but fun is rarely one of them. Yet, the KI Sway chair is just that — and a lot more. Sway is designed to work in casual areas of the office or in an educational setting (imagine a lounge area in an office or commons area in a college). It is one of the most unique looking chairs we've ever seen, but it is the movement of the chair that really makes it shine.
- DEALER DIRECTORY - North America's best office furniture dealers.
Business of Furniture - August 31, 2016
- UPFRONT: CIFF Ready to Kick Off in Shanghai - The show is expected to gather about 2,000 top brands from Asia and abroad. National Pavilions from countries include Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand and Korea. Though it is not a show that is known for attracting North American visitors, both KI and Herman Miller exhibited in Shanghai last year.
- Former Herman Miller Executive Jack Schreur Named New CEO of FLOS USA - Schreur is known for his dedication and passion for design-focused home and office products.
- Senator Builds Brand in US with New Products - The company launched seven new products at NeoCon, including a chair specifically designed for the U.S. market that put the brand in a position to make great headway in North America.
- FEATURE - Scheduling Headaches Soothed by App
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - PPT – Pete's Why
- Stephen Says - "Making a Plan: How to Start Moving" - by Stephen Viscusi
- SNAPSHOTS - Trendway Factory
- BoF NEWS - Charlotte, NC Steelcase Dealer buys another North Carolina-based Steelcase Dealer
- BoF NEWS - Allsteel Dealer Interiors Environments Expands to Denver via IE Connect
- BoF NEWS - Knoll Wins Inaugural Linny Award for Excellence in Product Design
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - August 24, 2016
- UPFRONT: Safco adds Mayline and 'Robust Assortment' of Products - The acquisition of Mayline is a very strategic move for Safco.
- How the Election is Hurting the Industry (All Politics Aside) - Whether rational or not, the election does affect the business cycle. Some 60 percent of business economists say uncertainty about the November vote is damaging prospects for growth this year, according to a survey released in June.
- NELSON Announces Launch of Creative Tech & Media Workplace Design Practice - With a finger on the pulse of major metropolitan areas across the country, NELSON's launch of a dedicated TAMI practice continues to track the changing needs of this emerging sector.
- FEATURE - Via Wants to Rewrite Work Inside and Out
- FEATURE - Kinsler Drawn to Trendway 'Caring and Commitment'
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Digital Waves
- Stephen Says - "Finding Employees or Becoming Unemployed" - by Stephen Viscusi
- Process - "The Path to Leadership Through Mentoring" - by Scott Lesizza
- BoF NEWS - The July 2016 Furniture Industry Index is Solid - Over Three Years of Steady Growth
- BoF NEWS - Studio-Tag Launches
- BoF NEWS - Companies Who 'Care' Favored by 47% of American Workers
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - August 17, 2016
- UPFRONT: Interior Design Group Outlines First Quarter Performance for Profession - Practitioner perspectives on current and future business conditions for the interior design industry are a helpful indicator of changes in the direction of economic activity.
- Three Ways the Generation Gap Affects the Design Industry - The Steelcase WorkLife Center at Columbus Circle was packed for the July forum hosted by the International Interior Design Association's (IIDA) New York Chapter.
- Thinking out of the box leads back to the box - People are stopping in their tracks as they pass through a vibrant Maryland city plaza and notice a distinctive structure that recently appeared.
- FEATURE - ERG Works to 'Perfect the Product,' Not Follow Fads
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - PPT – It's Not Just PowerPoint
- Stephen Says - "Work Stinks" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF NEWS - HPFI Finishes Their Fiscal Year 2016 Strong
- BoF NEWS - President of OFM Recognized by Woodworking Network
- BoF NEWS - Kimball Office, CMG Media sign leases at SL Green’s 215 Park Avenue South
- BoF NEWS - New Day Launches Education Division
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - August 10, 2016
- UPFRONT: Dirtt Growth Continues - Revenue increased by $8.4 million, or 15.9%, for Q2 2016 compared with Q2 2015.
- New Book Outlines Healthy Workplace - Creating healthy workplaces is a relatively new area of emphasis, so the book also helps readers design the workplace for health by following new building standards like the WELL Building Standard to develop spaces that enhance occupant health and quality of life.
- All-In-One Workstation Designed Around User - "Why hasn't someone made a workstation like this before? Because it is really hard," said Altwork co-founder and chief executive officer Che Voigt.
- FEATURE - Calligaris Moves Into Commercial
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Creating Customer Communities, Part 2
- Stephen Says - "Don't Hate Me 'Cause I'm Beautiful" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF NEWS - Ten demonstrable truths about the workplace you may not know
- BoF NEWS - NeoCon East Returns to Philadelphia
- BoF NEWS - First Office STAKS product series in CET Designer
- BoF NEWS - New from Magnuson, Smith & Fong, Humanscale, Brentano, Gunlocke, Arcadia
- SNAPSHOT - ConAgra Foods
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - August 3, 2016
- UPFRONT: Sina Pearson Textiles is now part of Momentum Group - With Momentum Group, Sina Pearson will continue to design many more fabrics now unencumbered by the daily task of running a business.
- Choice in the Office Can Be Both Frightening and Tantilizing - What attendees discovered is that with choice and change comes a fair number of challenges -- for the designers trying to create the best spaces possible, the companies that hire designers to create their offices and for workers who inhabit them.
- Dyson Sets Sights on LED Lighting - Dyson designers are hard at work creating its Dyson Professional brand and products at its Chicago office, in the same building as Groupon that was built as the Montgomery Ward Catalog House, a fitting mix of Dyson history and young professionals in a hip office setting.
- FEATURE - The Business of Products
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Creating Customer Communities, Part 1
- Stephen Says - "Working on Planes, Trains, and in Automobiles" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF NEWS - Knoll Posts 9.7% Gain in Quarterly Sales
- BoF NEWS - Kimball International Reports Fourth Quarter / FY 2016
- BoF NEWS - Interface results: Second quarter sales in Americas business declined 6.0%
- BoF NEWS - Leggett Tops Q2 Earnings, Sales Lag; Revises Outlook
- SNAPSHOT - The Cloud
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Workplaces Magazine - August, 2016
- GENSLER: U.S. WORKPLACE SURVEY 2016 - The 2016 U.S. Workplace Survey is the most recent installment in Gensler's 10-year Workplace Survey research effort. The A&D firm surveyed a panel-based sample of more than 4,000 U.S. office workers in 11 industries to understand where, and how, work is happening today, and the role design plays in employee performance and innovation.
- FUN | WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE - Working behind a desk may not seem appealing day-to-day, but there is a growing trend of companies, both large and small, who are challenging the paradigm that work can't be fun. What better time to explore this topic than when we are weighted by current events and have the summer office blues?
- LEADERSHIP AT FURNITURE MAKER MOVES TO 'BANKS OF THE RIVER' - Some executives would blanche at the idea of strangers walking through their offices, but Steelcase is at the forefront of a movement that tears down the corporate walls between the company's leadership team and its workers. And it seems to be working.
- WHAT SWEDEN CAN TEACH US ABOUT BALANCING WORK AND LIFE - Studies have shown that employees are increasingly dissatisfied with their jobs and careers. From working long hours and experiencing health problems to feeling unappreciated, employees are sensing the crunch of a corporate system that desperately needs an overhaul.
- EXAMPLES OF 'TRIVSEL' CAN BE FOUND AROUND THE WORLD - Whether we call it trivsel, dobre samopoczucie, nhlalakahle, or bien-etre, the feeling of well-being is something humans appreciate, especially in the American workplace - which has typically ignored a wholistic approach to its mental and physical infrastructure until now.
- EXECUTIVES HEAD OUT OF THE OFFICE - Imagine a typical corner office for a company president. Does a cloister of wood paneling and stately furniture or an expanse of windows overlooking skyscrapers come to mind? While executive spaces are traditionally separate from junior-level employees, the same shift to open offices is altering the role and function of leadership areas. Learn about which industries have let the corner office go the way of the cubicle and which businesses are striking balance between executive privacy and transparency.
- WORKPLACE TECH IS FAST (BUT NEVER FAST ENOUGH) - The spinning wheel of death or the hourglass — we've all seen them. You go to save a large document or hit send on an e-mail with an attachment, and your screen freezes while the dreaded icon appears and just keeps going around and around. As that world keeps turning, yours comes to a grounding halt.
- MOVING BEYOND MILLENNIALS: UNDERSTANDING GENERATION Z AND ITS EXPECTATIONS FOR THE MODERN WORKPLACE - While appealing to Millennials has dominated the workplace conversation in recent years, a new group, Generation Z, is on its way to transform how organizations conduct day-to-day business.
- PRODUCT MATTERS - While at NeoCon I noticed an increase in options for customers placing orders. One of the options that will undoubtedly continue to grow is through the Internet.
- DEALER DIRECTORY - North America's best office furniture dealers.
Business of Furniture - July 27, 2016
- UPFRONT: First Look Brings New Products to NYC - First Look is more exhibition than show since it is a single evening rather than a days-long event like NeoCon or Orgatec. And since it does present products shown at NeoCon, First Look is a bit of a misnomer. Yet First Look is just that for many in the New York design community who do not make the trek to Chicago.
- theMART is Evolving - This project is an adventure in designing public space that is functional for commuters, tenants and show spaces alike. TheMART is already a huge tech hub and the contract furniture epicenter, but could it be more?"
- Spec Practices the Golden Rule to Celebrate Silver Anniversary - Building a company and a solid reputation is never easy. The right mix of people and experiences is critical when a company is launched.
- FEATURE - Nextep Takes Active Design Seriously
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - The Transition to MethodWhy
- CoLaboration - Mike Dunlap - A Key to Often Hidden Savings
- Stephen Says - "Friends Forever" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF NEWS - HNI Corporation Reports Double Digit Earnings Growth for Second Quarter as Sales Slide
- SNAPSHOT - Open Plan to the Extreme
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - July 20, 2016
- UPFRONT: Rapson's Designs Come to Life in Leland's Thirty-Nine Collection - Ralph Rapson was a contemporary of some great designers, but he is perhaps better known for his groundbreaking work in architecture than his furniture designs; that's about to change.
- Gensler Survey finds Top Innovators Spend Less Time in Office; Have More Choices at Work - High-performing workplaces "create an ecosystem of innovation across organizations and is a crucial predictor of how innovative an employee sees their company to be."
- Shipping Rules Change: Here's What You Need To Know - Ports, marine terminals and container lines are coming closer to creating a system that will use pre-existing weighing processes to alleviate the burden on U.S. exporters.
- FEATURE - Clarus is Bigger Than Just Glassboards
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Courting Insurgents or Giants?
- Stephen Says - "Work-Wife Worries" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF NEWS - Two Teknion Showrooms Receive LEED Platinum Certification
- BoF NEWS - National Office Furniture Headquarters Earns Green GOOD DESIGN Award
- SNAPSHOT - Cubicles Return?
- Industry Moments - Photos of the Week.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - July 13, 2016
- UPFRONT: Enwork Acquires ERGO Contract Furniture - The addition of Ergo Contract brings with it more than 400 dealers around the U.S. that carry its line.
- National's VR Experience is Ultra Immersive - Users of the technology can tour the National corporate headquarters and get in-depth views of products through two unique experiences.
- Slyde Ped Proves There's Still a Need for Storage - Starting a manufacturing company from scratch has its challenges.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Just How Do I Get a Decision Made?
- Stephen Says - "They Love Me, They Love Me Not" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF NEWS - Gunlocke Puts a Fresh Face with a New Brand Direction
- BoF NEWS - Designtex Recognized by Cooper Hewitt
- BoF NEWS - Last Remaining Founding Partner of Three H Passes Away at 89
- PLACES - Equator Designs
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - July 6, 2016
- UPFRONT: Meadows Office Interiors Explores Age-Neutral Design - Meadows Office Interiors is in the midst of a four-part series focused on major issues surrounding workplace design today.
- C.F. Stinson Announces Investment by BV Investment Partners - Stinson serves diverse commercial markets and a substantial percentage of its business is derived from the growing demands of the U.S. health care delivery industry.
- NeoCon 2016: The Year the Cubicle Disappeared? - This year perhaps marks the first year since the advent of systems furniture that it was difficult to find a cubicle in the Mart. But don’t be fooled. The cubicle has not yet disappeared.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Planning: Building a Culture of Intentional Action
- House Views - Melissa Skolnick - From the heart
- Stephen Says - "How to Lose a Job in Ten Days" - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF NEWS - Office Depot Rebrands Workspace Interiors by Office Depot, Partners with Inscape
- BoF NEWS - Steelcase launches WorkLife Centre in Delhi
- BoF NEWS - WORKTECH Shows Softer Side of NYC Real Estate Industry
- RESEARCH - Knoll: Immersive Planning
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Workplaces Magazine - July, 2016
INCLUSIVENESS IN THE WORKPLACE / COWORKING / WORKPLACES OF THE FUTURE
- WORKPLACES OF THE FUTURE DEFINED AT NEOCON - While you were working, office furniture makers and sellers, interior designers and the folks who create your workplaces gathered last month in Chicago to talk about how you'll work in the future and the products that will make it happen.
- PERSPECTIVES - Productivity is often brought up when talking about efficiency, or lack thereof, in the workplace. However, this topic of productivity might be more, well…productive if the conversation shifted to the notion of time itself. What seems to be a fixed convention can be interpreted differently depending on an individual's cultural view of time. The field of study around this topic is called Chronemics.
- INCLUSIVENESS IN THE WORKPLACE: BE TRU TO YOURSELF - It's been a landmark year for 30-year-old Tru Jonkman. After living his whole life being known as a female, he made a life-changing decision recently to transition to a male identity. Jonkman, who has worked in the seating plant at Herman Miller in Holland, Michigan, since 2014, had been thinking about transitioning to a male for some time.
- COWORKING AND WORKING OUT GO HAND-IN-HAND IN NYC - The concept behind the coworking facility Primary is that businesses and individuals prosper from convenient access to wellness. Believing that people work best when they feel good, the company uses a three-prong approach to achieve it: 1) by providing the physical workspace to enhance it; 2) fostering and supporting the community that's there; and 3) offering healthy amenities and benefits at every turn.
- CAN OFFICE DESIGN SOLVE OBESITY? - For anyone who follows workplace trends, it's no secret health and wellness are becoming all the rage when it comes to designing for the built environment. As a society, we have turned the corner from looking at sustainability as something inherent in a building (LEED) to extending that sustainability story to "human" sustainability.
- HOW 3D PRINTING IS CHANGING THE WAY YOU WORK - Intricately carved chairs, serpentine tables and elaborate lamp shades – these creative pieces were once the digital doodles of furniture designers with little hope of a life beyond a computer file. But the rise of 3D printing can now bring these designs to life with startlingly precision. Known as additive manufacturing, this technology is more than a way to push aesthetics past traditional limits.
- PRODUCT MATTERS - The dry erase marker may be a small accessory for the office, conference or training room, but it is one of those items that when you need it, it is very important. That's happening a lot more than it used to as whiteboards find their way out of conference or training rooms and spread throughout the workplace. The ones on wheels can be moved around for impromptu collaboration or at individual work stations.
- A NEW ERA OF COWORKING - The coworking revolution is transforming real estate. Pioneered by start-ups, entrepreneurs and freelancers, a growing number of companies, large and small, are exploring how to incorporate the concept.
- ENDMATTER - 10 Workspace Features that Millennials and Gen Z want. / One of the Top Workplaces to Work: One Workplace in the Bay Area/ Also: Pay $4K To Work In a Coworking Temple to Yves Béhar's Design.
- DEALER DIRECTORY - North America's best office furniture dealers.
Business of Furniture - June 29, 2016
- UPFRONT: Attention Amazon Shoppers - The impossible has happened! Herman Miller has made Amazon a distributor for some models of the company's task chairs - sold by and shipped by Amazon. What manufacturer will be next?
- Steelcase, Herman Miller and Inscape announce Financial Results - Steelcase was flat, Herman Miller up a bit, but it could be hammered by Brexit. Inscape? West Elm partnership appears to be working.
- E Ink Will Change the Way Space Looks - E Ink's technology is unique because Prism can instantly change the color of a wall, ceiling panel or an entire room at the flip of a switch. Programmable patterns and shapes also can be integrated to create designs or functions.
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - What Has Lead Nurturing Got to do With Me?
- House Views - Todd Hardy - A Rookie's View of NeoCon
- Stephen Says - Sweat It: Why It's Worth Not Wearing Short Shorts to Work - by Stephen Viscusi
- BoF NEWS - Herman Miller begins Direct Selling on Amazon
- BoF NEWS - Architectural Billing Reaches a 10-Month High in May
- PLACES - ASID's New HQ
- FEATURE - AMQ has Right Product for Time and Place
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds & Careers - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods, services and the top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - June 22, 2016
- UPFRONT: People Make NeoCon Shine - Many who attend NeoCon mistakenly see it as a product show. I've been to enough of them to recognize it as a people show. The real value of NeoCon is found in the connections made, dinners shared and friendships rekindled.
- BIFMA Breakfast Outlines Direction For Industry Trade Group - BIFMA Executive Director Tom Reardon outlined how the group can be more relevant, including participation in its revamped statistics program.
- With NeoCon Done, Time to Think of Orgatec - The show, which runs from Oct. 25-29 in Cologne, always has a theme and this year, Orgatec will tackle "New Visions of Work" and "Creativity".
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Who Is Your 'Best Customer?'
- CoLaboration - Mike Dunlap - A Veteran's Views of NeoCon
- Stephen Says - The Invisible Unemployed: Over 50 and Jobless - by Stephen Viscusi
- SNAPSHOTS - Moments of the Week
- BoF NEWS - People Make NeoCon Shine
- BoF NEWS - NeoCon 2016: Five Notable Carpet and Textile Trends
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - June 15, 2016 | Live from NeoCon
- Live From NeoCon Chicago - Still one more day left!
- Feature - UPFRONT: NeoCon in Full Swing in Chicago!
- Feature - The Mart Shows Off New Look at NeoCon
- Feature - What You Should See on the Last Day of NeoCon
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Navigating Digital Disruption: Part Two
- Stephen Says - Smartphone Storm: Why It's Alright that Your Employees Text at Work - by Stephen Viscusi
- SNAPSHOTS - Moments of the Week
- BoF NEWS - Lawsuit Against Herman Miller Alleges DWR Sale Never Happened
- BoF NEWS - Humanscale, SitOnIt and Bellow Press party like it's 1999
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - June 11, 2016 | NeoCon Special
- NeoCon 2016 Product Special - Over 130 Pages of Content!
- Featuring Products From: - Allsteel, American Seating, AMQ, Arper, Brentano, BuzziSpace, Camira, Carnegie, Chilewich, Coalesse, Community, Configura, Davis, DesignTex, DeskMakers, DIRTT, Egan, Encore, ERG International, ESI, Falcon, Flexsteel Commercial Office, Framery, Garrett Leather, Geiger, Global, GMi Companies, Groupe Lacasse, Gunlocke, Herman Miller, HON, Humanscale, Indiana Furniture, InMovement, Innovative Office Products, Inscape, ISE, JRB Studios, JSI, Keilhauer, KI, Kimball Office, Knoll, LightCorp, Luum, Magnuson Group, Momentum Textiles, National Office Furniture, Nemschoff, Okamura, OM (Office Master), Pallas, PS Furniture, Safco, Steelcase, Stylex, Teknion, Trendway, Turnstone, Via Seating, Versteel, Vitra, 2020, 3Form, and more!
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Welcome to Your 'Brain Book' -
In a technical sense, what you are reading is a product guide. It is an expansive (though not entirely complete) listing of all the things you can see when NeoCon opens in a few days. But when you take a peek inside this issue of Business of Furniture, I ask that you look beyond the pictures of pretty products. Instead of thinking of this as a product guide, I ask that you consider what went into the products that grace these pages.
Each photo, each description represents literally thousands of hours of design, engineering and marketing work, not to mention the work done by factory workers, support staff, accountants, lawyers and everyone who has a hand in making every single product that is shown at NeoCon. It also represents the beginning of the work for the sales staff, dealers and reps whose critical job is to sell what the industry has created to the world.
This year, I'm going to try to look at NeoCon through fresh eyes, which makes sense, I suppose, since this is my first NeoCon as editor of Bellow Press and our publications, Business of Furniture and Workplaces magazine. Of course, that doesn't mean every new product has value. Some will be duds, to be sure. My colleagues and I are going to call them out. It would be unfair to those who really did innovate if we didn't. Still, I am going to respect and celebrate the work that went into every single new product introduced.
- Rob Kirkbride - Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
Business of Furniture - June 8, 2016
- Pre NeoCon Weekly Issue - Over 111 Pages of Content!
- Feature - UPFRONT: What time is it? NeoCon Time!
- Feature - Steelcase Focuses on Employee Engagement at NeoCon 2016
- Feature - Things You Didn’t Know About Office Furniture Design
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Navigating Digital Disruption: Part One
- Stephen Says - Survival Guide to NeoCon - by Stephen Viscusi
- LAUNCHING - Suzanne Tick and Luum
- NeoCon PREVIEW - Steelcase
- NeoCon PREVIEW - Humanscale
- NeoCon PREVIEW - Gunlocke
- NeoCon PREVIEW - Wilkhahn
- NeoCon PREVIEW - Vitra
- NeoCon PREVIEW - Haworth
- SNAPSHOTS - Moments of the Week
- FEATURE - Things You Didn't Know About Office Furniture
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Workplaces Magazine - June, 2016
COWORKING, NETWORKING & NEOCON PREVIEW
- RECENT EXHIBITIONS SHOWCASE LATEST THINKING ON WORKPLACE FURNISHINGS - From Milan to New York City, and on to London, a variety of recent tradeshows all point to the resimercial (residential+commercial) nature of today's evolving workplace.
- INSIGHTS - The Mamava suite for breast feeding and pumping popping up in airports, coworking centers, and perhaps a workplace near you.
- COWORKING LEADS TO NETWORKING IN NEW YORK CITY - From its first location at the well-known Bank of New York Building in New York City's Financial District, Joynture welcomes business organizations from very diverse backgrounds, ranging from technical recruiting, video game design and accounting to jewelry design, tailoring and other creative fields. Entrepreneurs, writers, students and small businesses happily call Joynture their workplace home.
- THE UGLY DUCKLING THAT BECAME LONDON'S LATEST SWAN - Sea Containers sits along the south bank of the Thames River, a building finished in the late 1960s as a hotel, but never occupied as one. Sea Containers always has been an office building, but a notoriously bad one among companies housed there and the architects and designers tasked with making them comfortable and productive.
- IDEAPAINT BREAKS DOWN THE WALLS - Since you were a little kid you've been told not to write on the walls. That certainly holds true for the office, where walls are for hanging art. A rogue worker might tape something to the wall near his desk or adhere a Post-it Note, but that's about it.
- WHAT HAPPENS AT NEOCON WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU WORK - What shapes and goes into your workplace over the next few years will be decided by what happens in Chicago in a couple weeks, as NeoCon gets underway at the Merchandise Mart. Those who make the furniture and those who buy it gather each year.
- WOMEN AND WORKPLACE - It's 2016. Yet, according to the International Labor organization (ILO), gender pay gaps persist around the world, including the United States.
- PRODUCT MATTERS - SitOnIt Seating is the kind of company that punches above its weight — it makes really good chairs that compete head to head with companies that are much larger and better known in the seating category.
- THE VALUE OF DESIGNING HEALTHY WORKPLACES - Gensler's Joseph Brancato writes that most conversations about wellbeing dwell on exercise routines, dietary regimens, and stress busting tactics from more yoga to less caffeine. Only on the rarest of occasions will wellness advocates mention the role the built environment plays in engendering personal wellbeing.
- ENDMATTER - The current wave of dress-code decline is being pushed by hot-button issues surrounding gender equality and fluidity. Women shouldn't need to wear heels if men aren't required to wear uncomfortable footwear; and men shouldn't have to cinch ties around their necks if women don't. / Also Forpeople designs a new chair for Herman Miller.
- DEALER DIRECTORY - North America's best office furniture dealers.
Business of Furniture - June 1, 2016
- Feature - Neutral Posture's new Look
- Feature - Ligne Roset: 5 Generations and Still Innovating
- Feature - UPFRONT: The Mamava Lactation Pod is coming to NeoCon
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - In One Ear
- Stephen Says - Rolling Head: How to Rebuild Your Career - by Stephen Viscusi
- WORKPLACE HEALTH - Is Third Space Becoming the Primary Space?
- BoF News - Arborite Announces New American Acquisition
- BoF News - Clerkenwell Design Week Rocked London
- NeoCon First Looks - Mamava Lacation Pod
- HEALTHY WORKPLACE - The Value of Designing Healthy Workplaces
- LIGHT READING - Lamp Sales and Market Share in 2015
- FIRST LOOKS - Okamura's New Stool
- INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY - DIRTT Expands Virtual Reality and Residential Integration
- WORKPLACE TECH - More Fuel: Robin
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - May 25, 2016
- Feature - Falcon: CFGroup Brands Focus on Areas You Ignore
- Feature - Research Reveals Secret to Unharnessing Workplace Productivity
- Feature - UPFRONT: Clerkenwell Design Week Gets Underway in London
- Feature - CF Group's Thonet division and their Blog Collection
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - How Well are You Managing Your Client Pipeline?
- Stephen Says - NeoCon Dreams: How to Get Yourself to the Show - by Stephen Viscusi
- WORKPLACE HEALTH - To Sit or Stand? The Argument for Standing in the Workplace
- BoF News - Arborite Announces New American Acquisition
- BoF News - Charter Hosts Important Seminar ABout Succession Planning during NeoCon
- BoF News - RT London to Debut a New Room Solution Designed by Gensler
- BoF News - Configura releases CET Designer 7.0
- NeoCon First Looks - KI's Doni Chair
- FIRST LOOKS - Herman Miller's Keyn Chair
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - May 18, 2016
- Feature - NYC Rocks Design with ICFF and much more - LookBook
- Feature - Herman Miller Opens New York Flagship Showroom
- Feature - UPFRONT: The Mart Prepares for Your Arrival
- CoLaboration - Al Everett - Grunt Work: the Difference Between Winning & Losing
- CoLaboration - Jeremy Erard - Succession: Capture and Transfer that Knowledge
- Stephen Says - Befuddled Boston Boss - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - LinkedIn Chicago
- BoF News - Safco Products Company Acquires the Assets of Focal Upright Furniture
- BoF News - DIRTT Reports Flat 2016 1Q Results
- BoF News - Clerkenwell Design Week to Take Over London
- BoF News - Bouty Acquires ADI
- ECONOMICS - Interior Design Softens Slightly, Still Strong
- REAL ESTATE - Global Office Leasing Volumes Hold Up Despite Uncertainty
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - May 11, 2016
- Feature - ICFF is Bigger but Still Finding its Place
- Feature - No NeoCon Dud planned for Herman Miller this year
- Feature - Landscape Forms
- CoLaboration - Touchpoints and the Customer Experience - by Al Everett
- Stephen Says - Swallowing my Tongue and a McFlurry - by Stephen Viscusi
- PLACES - Gyro NYC
- BoF News - Camira Wins Queens Award
- BoF News - DIRTT Reports Flat 2016 1Q Results
- BoF News - Haworth Expands Dealership Presence in Phoenix
- ECONOMICS - Quarter of Two Halves gets 2016 Off to a Slow Start
- MAKERS - Trendway Forges a Nordic Connection with Iconic Danish Furniture Designers of Magnus Olesen
- Feature - UPFRONT: JENS RISOM@100 - Sunday, Mother's Day, Jens Risom celebrated his 100th birthday, having long ago achieved the status of the longest living Mid-Century furniture designer.
- BLOGGERLAND - The Natural Workplace Benefits of Daylighting
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - May 4, 2016
- COVER - New Potrero415 from Coalesse Gives Control to Designers
- Feature - Gunlocke Combines Traditions and Latest Technology to Build Furniture
- CoLaboration - Your Next Secret Weapon: Consider a Virtual Coach - by Al Everett
- Trending - Haworth's Fern First Look
- PLACES - Placester
- BoF News - Industry Vet Starts New Contract Company -- With a Twist
- BoF News - Arconas Adds to its European Products with Partnership
- BoF News - April Furniture Industry Index is Unchanged
- BoF News - Kimball Office makes a Strategic Investment in a Smart Technology Company
- INDUSTRY TECH - Configura Offers a Preview of its NeoCon 2016 Products
- MAKERS - Kimball Opens Boston Showroom
- Feature - UPFRONT: DICK RUCH In 1987 Dick Ruch was named Herman Miller CEO, the first person outside of the De Pree family to hold that title.
- BLOGGERLAND - The Natural Workplace Benefits of Daylighting
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Workplaces Magazine - May, 2016
FOCUS ON WORKPLACE DESIGN
- WORKPLACE DESIGN - LinkedIn's new San Francisco Offices say much about the current state of workplace design - maybe.
- LIFESTYLE - Lifestyle minimalism rewards your efforts to purge with the promise of a more abundant life.
- WHAT IS A THIRD SPACE (AND IS IT SECOND NOW)? - The third space has become so important to those thinking about and planning your offices some are wondering whether we should scrap most of the traditional office space and think of the third space more seriously as a place to work.
- PIVOT PROVES OFFICE CHAIRS CAN COME IN DIFFERENT SHAPES AND FORMS - "Sitting disease" is a term used to describe the myriad health problems associated with long-term sedentary work and leisure activities. Despite the headlines that claim your office chair is killing you, the real problem is a lack of movement in the office.
- HOW A FURNITURE SHOW IN MILAN WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU WORK - The future of how you work and live is a topic that is resonating with more people. More than 300,000 visited iSaloni over the course of the week. It is a trade show in the loosest sense of the word. In fact, much of the groundbreaking work that happens at iSaloni happens in showrooms and temporary spaces around the city. And it is not just furniture makers trying to get a glimpse of the future.
- INSIDE A CHINESE TECH COMPANY: HOW QIHOO 360 WORKS - While most of the world knows the Large Hadron Collider for finding the Higgs Boson, the last particles that many say unlock the mystery of the universe, Designer David Ho saw it as inspiration for his radical office design at Qihoo 360 Technology Co. in Beijing.
- RICHARDS BASMAJIAN EXPLAINS HOW HONG KONG WORKS - Richards Basmajian counts many of Hong Kong's high-tech companies as clients, some of them gathered in the city's so-called Cyberport, a "creative digital community" with a cluster of technology and digital content tenants, including Microsoft, and others near the Hong Kong Science Park.
- CROSS-MARKET INFLUENCES - In recent years, a residential feeling has been invading offices, and work has invaded the home, but apparently these cross-market influences aren't stopping there. Many more markets are beginning to influence one another and with them the finishes, materials, and even experiences users have within those spaces.
- PRODUCT MATTERS - A selection of easily attainable products that caught our attention this month.
- THE 10 BEST SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS OF 2016 ACCORDING TO THE AIA - Once a year, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on the Environment selects the best new green buildings—that were built for essentially the same amount or even less than regular architecture. These buildings, while costing the same, just happen to be much better at saving energy and water—and as a result, much nicer to work inside, thanks to better light, materials, and cleaner air. Here are the 10 that won this year.
- DEALER DIRECTORY - North America's best office furniture dealers.
Business of Furniture - April 27, 2016
- COVER - Maars Living Walls Hires Industry Vet Craven; Sets Sights on North American Market
- Feature - An IGLOO for Work? Holmris Designs Next-Gen Work Hub
- CoLaboration - What happens if we Train our Sales Team? - by Al Everett
- Guest Views - Bringing College to the Workplace - by Dick Resch
- Trending - COACHELLA | Really BIG Chairs
- PLACES - South & Browse
- BoF News - Maars Living Walls Hires Industry Vet Craven; Sets Sights on North American Market.
- BoF News - Knoll Kicks off 2016 with Strong Growth and Margin Expansion
- BoF News - HNI Reports Double Digit Earnings Growth for First Quarter FY 2016
- BoF News - Here's Why Workrite Acquired ISE
- BoF News - Humanscale to Participate in Living Product Challenge
- BoF News - Virco Posts Stronger Results
- IDEA PEOPLE - Joey Ruiter
- MAKERS - B&B Celebrates 50
- Feature - UPFRONT: PATRICIA URQUIOLA Milan 2016
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - April 20, 2016
- Feature - Why iSaloni in Milan Matters
- Feature - Cross Market Influences
- CoLaboration - Love/Hate Relationships with Technology - by Al Everett
- Places - Hillshire Brands HQ
- Trending - MILAN | The Double Dream of Spring
- Trending - JLL Office Redo
- BoF News - MILAN Snapshots
- BoF News - Workrite Acquires ISE
- Reading Matter - 2016 Trends in the Workplace by Callison RTKL
- IDEAS - A Connected Chair?
- Feature - UPFRONT: ALBERTO MEDA
- Feature - FOLLOW UP: Haworth Acquires JANUS et Cie: Here’s Why.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - April 13, 2016
- Feature - LOGICDATA Builds New Austrian HQ on Innovation
- Feature - Using Big Data to Better Connect with People
- CoLaboration - Put on your track shoes! Are your Project teams ready? - by Al Everett
- CoLaboration - Top Ten Mistakes - by Mike Dunlap
- CoLaboration - Trends in Talent Management & Development - by Jeremy Erard
- Places - Medill at Northwestern
- Trending - MILAN | Boring Collection
- Trending - JLL Office Redo
- BoF News - Haworth Acquires JANUS et Cie for Poltrona Frau Group
- BoF News - U.S. Office Vacancy Inches Up Slightly in Q1 2016
- Reading - Diversity and Design: Why Gender, Equality, and Multidisciplinary thinking are essential to Business
- SNEAK PEAK NeoCon - A quick look of what's coming
- Feature - UPFRONT: CARLO RATTI
- Feature - THIS WEEK: Buongiorno from iSaloni in Milan
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - Q1 2016 In Review
Quarter One In Reivew - The Best of BoF from January - March, 2016
New publications about predicting change, not just watching it / Deb Bailey: Take nothing for granted / Sales' love-hate relationship with technology / Finding Talent Requires Strategy / Stephen Says / Ten "S" (teps) Toward the "OotF" / Losing Control of Your Brand / Stop Poaching my Employees! / Develop Your Most Important Asset: Your People / Ergonomics Faces Future With More Handhelds, Fewer Desks / Sales vs Marketing? The Internet has Changed that Relationship Forever / JRB Studio completes the design circle / In2Design's experience benefits growing customer base / West Elm Workspace takes industry by storm / The future of coworking / National learns from its own new HQ experience / DWR's dynamic duo:Edelman & McPhee / FluidStance is on the Level (and hopes you are too) / Tech startup PointDrive picks furniture close to home / Folkert Goes Big, Goes Bold / Industry Can Learn From The Coworking Movement / AV can add to a Dealer's Bottom Line / Where's Your ShowroomR? Everywhere / Group Dekko: Supplier to Budding Tech Company / Emory University connects with Backbone / HDR Chicago / IDEO has joined the creative kyu collective, a unit of Tokyo-based Hakuhodo DY Holdings / Studio Wise Uses Expertise in Specials to Create New Lines / Reflections on Groupe Lacasse turning 60 from its CEO / MOI Moves to New D.C. NoMa Showroom / idesk, Cherryman make a Splash on Silicon Beach in L.A. / Stir unveils new Product / The Backlash Against Collaboration / Melissa Price Helps Detroit Pop / Artopex showrooms / PWV Takes Carpets to New (Corporate) Levels / Dauphin Retools for the North American Market / History is Important but OM is Ready for the Next 30 Years / And Much More!
Business of Furniture - April 6, 2016
- CoLaboration - Say 'Why' Not 'What' - by Al Everett
- Places - Malwarebytes
- Places + People - Vitra, Hadid, Fehlbaum
- BoF News - Staples makes a stab at becoming a coworking place
- BoF News - New Trends for Asia Arrive at CIFF
- BoF News - LOOK BOOK CIFF
- BoF News - The Real Cost of Chinese-made Furniture (and everything else)
- BoF News - Lane Office Relocates
- Feature - UPFRONT: Zaha Hadid
- Feature - THIS WEEK: New Trends for Asia Arrive at CIFF
- Feature - Keilhauer Goes 'Poufy'
- Feature - Have you Tested your NeoCon Introductions yet?
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Workplaces Magazine - April, 2016
FOCUS ON ERGONOMICS
- SNAPSHOT - Work is no longer a place you go to do stuff.
- NUMBERS - A roundup of relevant numbers about the workplace from a variety of research reports.
- GEN Z & WORKPLACE - A lot has been written about the generations and how they coexist - or don't - in the workplace. Gen Z's are the true digital natives who were handed their parents' new toy, the iPhone, to occupy themselves. So what might the workplace be like in 2026 with them in it? IDa Design gives us some possible hints.
- LET'S BROADEN THE DEFINITION OF ERGONOMICS - When most people think of ergonomics, their eyes glaze over with memories of some human resources-mandated video about sitting properly. But to those who make ergonomic products — the office tools that help workers stay healthy — the idea of ergonomics is much broader and more interesting. It is about creating an office that helps people be happier and healthier.
- NEW POSTURES FOR NEW WORK ENVIRONMENTS - As technology frees us up from a set work location, workplace ergonomics are starting to look a little different. While product designers once had to optimize one set work location for optimal ergonomic postures, technology is driving us to different postures in many places throughout the workplace and beyond.
- TEXT NECK: BENDING THE LIMITS OF MOBILE DEVICE USE - Just when we think we've eliminated the danger of poor posture in the office with ergonomic furniture and standing desks, mobile device use is bringing new problems to a head — literally. Dr. Andrew Bang of The Center for Integrative Medicine at The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio is seeing an increase in patients with neck and back soreness related to long periods of handheld technology use.
- STEELCASE TAKES EMPLOYEE WELLNESS TO NEW HEIGHTS - For years, Steelcase tried the carrot and stick method to get its employees healthy. With the best intentions, the world's largest office furniture maker worked with the Mayo Clinic to develop an online health portal for its workers. The company gave away gift certificates to prompt its workers to go online to work on healthier living. Recognizing that people stress about things they can't control, Steelcase decided to give employee well-being back to the employees.
- TECHNOLOGY DRIVES LOGICLINK TO CREATE HEALTHY WORKPLACES - The problem with really well-designed products that keep us happy and safe in the office is that the average worker doesn't know how — or forgets to use them.
- CHINESE OFFICE FURNITURE IS READY FOR PRIME TIME Live from CIFF in China
- PRODUCT MATTERS - A selection of easily attainable products that caught our attention this month.
- EVERYDAY ERGONOMICS
- DEALER DIRECTORY - North America's best office furniture dealers.
Business of Furniture - March 30, 2016
- CoLaboration - Client Transparency: The Secret Sauce - by Al Everett
- CoLaboration - Ten “S” (teps) Toward the “OotF” - by Mike Dunlap
- CoLaboration - What to do When Talent Departs - by Jeremy Erard
- Trending - Gen Z & Workplace
- Places - Condé Nast
- BoF News - Wall-to-wall, booth-to-booth BoF is on the ground in China.
- BoF News - Indiana Furniture has a new President
- BoF News - ESI has a new President
- BoF News - Humanscale enters Architectural Lighting sector
- BoF News - NeoCon 2016 Educational Programs
- BoF News - Vocon Adds NYC Director with Diverse Background
- Feature - UPFRONT: Suzanne Tick is off to a great start in 2016.
- Feature - THIS WEEK: CIFF Shows Asian Wave is Coming: Ride it or be Swallowed by it
- Cover - History is Important but OM is Ready for the Next 30 Years
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - March 23, 2016
- CoLaboration - Losing Control of Your Brand - by Al Everett
- Trending - Allermuir new UK showroom
- Places - GustoMSC Schiedam
- BoF News - Herman Miller Results
- BoF News - Steelcase Results
- BoF News - DIRTT Results
- BoF News - Vocon Adds NYC Director with Diverse Background
- BoF News - Configura Holds GR Confab
- Crowd Funding - Feazer
- Feature - UPFRONT: Mogens hits pay DIRTT
- Feature - THIS WEEK: The Eyes of the Furniture Industry are On Guangzhou for CIFF
- Cover - Dauphin Retools for the North American Market
- Products - New products this week
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - March 16, 2016
- CoLaboration - The Honeymoon is Over: Why Clients Fire You - by Al Everett
- Blogged - Virtual Office: Definition
- Places - Horizon Media Expansion
- BoF News - Inscape Sales Climb 36% in Latest Quarter
- BoF News - Swedish Furniture Firm ROL USA Plans Major Expansion
- BoF News - KI Hosts Active Design Charrette for Designers and Students
- Crowd Funding - The Edge Fold-up Desk
- Feature - UPFRONT: Hackett gets picked up by Ford
- Feature - Wilkhahn Leader Focused on Growing Brand in North America
- Cover - PWV Takes Carpets to New (Corporate) Levels
- Products - New products this week from Steelcase & Actiu
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - March 9, 2016
- CoLaboration - More Cars and Chairs - by Mike Dunlap
- CoLaboration - Settling for Maintenance Level - by Al Everett
- CoLaboration - Develop Your Most Important Asset: Your People - by Jeremy Erard
- BoF News - Workrite Ergonomics Celebrates 25th Anniversary
- BoF News - Steelcase Updates Guidance for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2016
- Showrooms - Artopex showrooms in Quebec City and Montreal
- Feature - How Gen Z Will Affect the Workplace
- Cover - Melissa Price Helps Detroit Pop
- Products - New products this week from Gunlocke, ergoCentric, Light Corp and Camira
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - March 2, 2016
- CoLaboration - Sales vs Marketing? The Internet has Changed that Relationship Forever - by Al Everett
- BoF News - Steelcase Issues Trend Report (The Findings Will Shock You)
- BoF News - Boenigk Diversifies to Grow Neutral Posture.
- Feature - idesk, Cherryman make a Splash on Silicon Beach in L.A.
- Feature - Stir unveils new Product
- Feature - The Backlash Against Collaboration
- Products - New products this week from HPFi and Brentano
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Workplaces Magazine - March, 2016
WORKPLACE RESEARCH SPECIAL
- SNAPSHOT - Engagement and the Global Workplace - Research from Steelcase
- COLLABORATION WORKS AT GENSLER'S LA HUB - Gensler is a huge company with 5,000 people working in 46 offices in 16 countries. But it is important the workforce stays connected, especially in those local offices. That's why Gensler chose to relocate to what is called the Jewel Box, a glass building found in the center of the City National Plaza. City National Plaza is a twin tower skyscraper complex — originally built for Bank of America.
- STEELCASE ISSUES MASSIVE WORKPLACE TREND REPORT - Steelcase found that one in three workers are disengaged in the office and 37 percent of those are highly disengaged. It is an office epidemic that is sapping productivity and happiness in the office, according to the report, "Engagement and the Global Workplace."
- THE BACKLASH [AGAINST COLLABORATION] - Typically, it is assumed collaboration leads to better intrapersonal work relationships, better culture and perhaps more innovation from one person's idea sparking another's.
- FLOS AND DESIGNING THE COLLABORATIVE WORKPLACE - Walking through the door at FLOS, you are immediately greeted with a light and open space. You see the company's logo illuminated by an orange glowing light. Inside, the mood is calm and welcoming. An animated black line drawing travels across the white walls from floor to ceiling. There is a sense that interesting and creative things happen here. You start to think that FLOS is the kind of place where you would want to work.
- HOW IS FURNITURE DESIGNED TO HELP WORK? READ THIS. - "We look for designers that have some of the same attributes as ourselves — curious, passionate, exploring new materials and processes, understanding what new technologies will mean for work, willing to take risk and try the new but also able to see the brand language and are open for real collaboration with our team."
- IT'S A JOB, IT'S A CLASS, IT'S COLLABORATION - Galvanize is a network of communities that bring together company founders, students and folks looking to level up their career.
- MEET THE MASTER OF WORKPLACE JOY - Joy is not some shameless mantra or even a clever marketing technique.
- HOME OFFICES ARE NOT DEFINED BY A SINGLE ROOM - Even in residential, the space dedicated for traditional work tasks is now much more integrated: "Activity-based planning" is invading the home, too.
- PRODUCT MATTERS - A selection of easily attainable products that caught our attention this month.
- UNPREDICTABILITY IN THE OFFICE CAUSES STRESS - Office workers and people working in engineering and academia reported unpredictability (26 percent) causes the highest level of stress.
- WORKPLACE DESIGN: WHERE CREATIVITY AND BUSINESS DRIVERS COLLIDE - Take a look inside our process of designing your office. Spoiler alert: there's a lot more to it than design.
- TED MOUDIS ASSOCIATES RELEASES 2016 WORKPLACE REPORT - The report encompasses more than 2.5 million square feet of workspace built over the past two years — including data from workplaces across four sectors throughout the U.S.
- DEALER DIRECTORY - North America's best office furniture dealers.
Business of Furniture - February 24, 2016
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- CoLaboration - Dr. Deming, Quality, and Sales - by Al Everett
- BoF News - Steelcase: A Decade of Recognition in Fortune Magazine's 'Most Admired' Companies Survey
- BoF News - KI Goes Big in China
- BoF News - January Architecture Billings Index Dips into Negative Territory
- BoF News - 2016 Workplace Report from Ted Moudis Associates
- BoF News - Contract Furniture Spotted at TED 2016 in Vancouver
- Feature - CEO Reflects as Groupe Lacasse Turns 60
- Feature - MOI Moves to New D.C. NoMa Showroom
- Feature - Teknion Opens Redesigned Showroom in Bangalore, India
- Blogged - Collaborative vs. Private Office - via Gunlocke
- Blogged - The Evolution of Activity-based Design via OFS Brands
- Products - New products this week from Humanscale, OFM, Wilkhahn and Bentley
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - February 17, 2016
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- CoLaboration - Let the Stars Shine - by Al Everett
- CoLaboration - Talent Profiles: A Tool That Brings Clarity to Talent Selection - by Jeremy Erard
- BoF News - Ideo's news is symptomatic of a shifting landscape that has prompted many design consultancies to reassess their business strategy.
- BoF News - Haworth Reports Sales Growth in 2015
- BoF News - Knoll Reports Strong Operating Margins and Profits
- BoF News - HNI Reports Office Furniture Sales Decline in Latest Quarter
- Feature - HDR Settles in 'Seat of Chicago Architecture'
- Feature - Studio Wise Uses Expertise in Specials to Create New Lines
- Opinion / Research - An Open-Plan Office Can Cut Your Emissions. Research on Flexible Working
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - February 10, 2016
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Major Events - A preview of the upcoming large industry events.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- CoLaboration - The Cost of 2010 - Style Sales Effectiveness - by Al Everett
- CoLaboration - Cruising along with cars and chairs - by Mike Dunlap
- BoF News - Kimball's Second Quarter Provides Proof of a Broad Rebound
- Feature - Emory University connects with KI's Backbone
- BoF News - Survey Shows Industry Remains on Solid Ground
- Products - Our roundup of this week's latest product introductions.
- BoF News - Coverage of the just completed IMOB Show in Istanbul
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Business of Furniture - February 3, 2016
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our o ice furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- CoLaboration - Differentiate Your Brand: The No Product Zone - by Al Everett
- CoLaboration - February marks time to set serious goals - by Jeremy Erard
- BoF News - First Product from combined ErgoTech, Innovative Office Products Acquisition
- Healthcare - Where ever you look in the world of contract interiors, you’re likely to find Mogens Smed.
- BoF News - LOGICDATA Adds New North American President
- Showrooms - KI heads trade the other way by opening a showroom in Beijing.
- BoF News - Economic report out of the UK shows growth to continue for a while longer.
- Feature - ShowroomR is the latest disruptive idea to hit the office furniture industry.
- Feature - Group Dekko: Supplier to Budding Tech Company
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Workplaces Magazine - February, 2016
COWORKING SPECIAL
- DAY IN THE LIFE OF WEWORK - This workplace is unique, a former meat packing smoke house that was transformed by WeWork into a bustling hub for more than 900 workers who have left the traditional office for the chance to work collectively. If co-working is the hottest trend in the "unoffice" movement, WeWork has refined the way it is being done.
- DIANA ROTHSCHILD PUSHES FOR MORE OPTIONS FOR NEW PARENTS - One of the biggest challenges to creating coworking spaces with childcare is that it requires running two mutually exclusive businesses at once.
- PONYRIDE PROVES THE MOTOR CITY (CO) WORKS - Equally critical to the city's health are the entrepreneurs and small business creationists filling the gaps of a city's workforce and its path to becoming whole again.
- COWORKING ISN'T LIMITED TO BIG CITIES - Suburban co-working spaces operate differently than traditional co-working spaces because the suburban audience has different needs.
- COWORKING AND ITS IMPACT ON INNOVATION - The growth of co-working has paralleled the growth of open offices. Most co-working spaces look like today's progressive office environments. No one in a co-working space is telling workers that they have to show up at a certain time or show up at all. People can work in a way that suits them best for that project, that week or even that day.
- CANDY CRUSH CREATOR'S COOL LONDON DIGS - Because of the young workers who inhabit the office and the fun products they make, the place crackles with energy and creativity.
- CREATIVE COMPANY QUESTIONS NEED FOR OFFICE - The question of whether or not a company needs an office and how it should be organized is one that plays out countless times each day. For Peopledesign, it was an intensely difficult decision, especially since many of its own clients are office furniture makers — the people who set the tone for offices around the world.
- AT WORK - What qualities should a modern workplace have to be considered a place of excellence for women?
- PRODUCT MATTERS - A selection of easily attainable products that caught our attention this month.
- ACTIVE DESIGN - Active design is quickly becoming a buzz word in the industry and because it isn't understood by some, risks having the same fate as a word like "collaboration" -- a word that has become almost meaningless because of its willy-nilly use.
- CORPORATE CO-WORKING SPACE - The company designed the space to help attract the best and brightest to the company.
- ENDMATTER - A look at the renovated offices of CBRE in London, Microsoft's new San Francisco office designed by Design Blitz, The Affordable Standing Desk.
- DEALER DIRECTORY - North America's best office furniture dealers.
Business of Furniture - January 27, 2016
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our o ice furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- BIFMA KEYNOTE - Ben Casnocha believes there is a dishonest conversation going on between workers and the companies that employ them.
- BoF NEWS - Leaders in the office furniture industry gathered last week for the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association Leadership Conference, now called 360°, in Austin, Texas.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- CoLaboration - Today's CRM is Not Just for Sales - by Al Everett
- BoF NEWS - BIFMA Leadership Conference Messes with Texas.
- Folkert goes Big, goes Bold - At the age of 37, with almost 16 years of experience at Bold, Todd Folkert leads a team of 130 employees.
- News - BIFMA Keynote wants you to take "Tour of Duty".
- Industry can learn from the Coworking Movement - As the coworking revolution takes hold, it will have a big e ect on the landscape of the future workplace.
- AV can add to a Dealers Bottom Line - AV is an opportunity for dealer growth at a time when even a little growth is difficult to find.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The Global Marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The Global Marketplace for top workplace furniture talent.
Over 72 Pages of Content in our Fourth Issue!
Business of Furniture - January 20, 2016
- CoLaboration - Weekly columns by Al Everett and Jeremy Erard. Why Do Sales Teams Struggle With Acquiring New Business? | Finding Talent Requires Strategy
- BoF NEWS - Leaders in the office furniture industry are gathering today for the Business and International Furniture Manufacturers Association Leadership Conference, now called 360°, in Austin, Texas, to discuss one of the most pressing problems this group of executives will face: attracting and retaining talent.
- Feature - This impressive young company was looking for an office furniture company with the same commitment to moving fast and creating products that work well and are adaptive. They didn't have to look far.
- Feature - Ergonomics Faces Future with more Handhelds, fewer Desks.
- Feature - Let's face it. The office furniture industry is small potatoes when it comes to custom technology products.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The global marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The global marketplace for top furniture industry talent.
Over 62+ Pages of Content in our Third Issue!
Business of Furniture - January 13, 2016
- CoLaboration - Sales' love-hate relationship with technology - Al Everett.
- No room at the Inn Mart - If you are looking for exhibit space in the Mart for NeoCon, you're pretty much out of luck.
- The Lead - North American Office Furniture Trends - Lots of interesting whiteboard research to use in your next meeting.
- Why CES is so important for office furniture - Every year the giant show becomes more and more relevant to the office furniture industry.
- DWR's Dynamic Duo: Edelman and McPhee - The two running DWR have developed a remarkable yin-yang kinship.
- FluidStance is on the Level - Level is the only product on the market today that allows the body to move in three dimensions.
- JRB Studio completes the design circle - While JRB Studio is entering the casegoods market with the Marker Collection, it is certainly not abandoning its roots.
- Industry Portfolio - A look at how our office furniture manufacturing rich stock portfolio is doing this week.
- Hutch - Our weekly industry centered cartoon of thought and reason.
- Industry Events - Looking to attend an industry function this year? We've compiled a complete list of what's happening.
- The Stream - A curated look around the web at this week's most compelling articles and blogs.
- Stephen Says - Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Industry Pulse - Late-breaking news and career changes in the industry.
- Industry Classifieds - The global marketplace for workplace furniture goods and services.
- Industry Careers - The global marketplace for top furniture industry talent.
Over 60+ Pages of Content in our Second Issue!
Business of Furniture - January 6, 2016
Free Reading Today - Our Inaugural Issue Celebration!
It's 2016 - let's get down to the Business of Furniture
- Mike Dunlap, Jeremy Erard and Al Everett with timely and important industry columns.
- Headhunter and industry guru Stephen Viscusi steps up to answer your career questions.
- Teknion's stunning new Toronto showroom
- CES: Humanscale and software partner hit Vegas
- West Elm Workspace takes the industry by storm
- American wood furniture grows in London
- National learns from its own new HQ experience
- The Business of Furniture profiles 34-year industry veteran Deb Bailey.
- Industry Pulse & Industry Careers
Over 125+ Pages of Content in our Inaugural Issue!
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Business of Furniture, Midpoint Magazine and Workplaces Magazine are the go-to sources for keeping you informed about everything that is happening in the industry.
From trends that affect your bottom line, to new products that will help your customers work better, to stories that will help you run a better, more informed company.