MillerKnoll achieves Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion

Wednesday, 14 August 2024

MillerKnoll, a collective of dynamic design brands, ranked #2 on the FDMC 300 list, has achieved “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” status in the 2024 Disability Equality Index by Disability:IN. The Disability Equality Index measures a wide range of criteria including Culture & Leadership, Enterprise-Wide Access, Employment Practice, Community Engagement, and Supplier Diversity.  This is the first time MillerKnoll has scored in the Index’s highest tier.

Humanscale launches first branded online store for refurbished office furniture

Wednesday, 14 August 20124

Humanscale is the first office furniture brand to debut a circular economy program that offers online sales of its refurbished products.

Harmony in the Workspace: The Revolution of Biophilic Design in Office Furniture

Let’s face it, being cooped up in an office day in and day out can get a little, well, stuffy. Good news is a lot of smart people are getting wise to the fact that we’re all a bit better off with some nature vibes around us while we work. Nowadays, office spaces are turning over a new leaf by decking themselves out with furniture that’s got Mother Nature’s fingerprints all over it. We’re not just talking a potted plant on the corner of the desk either—think chairs and tables made from materials that actually give a nod to the environment. Using plants and  items like bamboo, reclaimed timber, and recycled metals is not just a good story to tell—it makes the office feel more like a cozy nook in a forest than a box in a beehive.

Cozy Curves and Touchable Textures

Ever noticed how there are hardly any straight lines in nature? That’s what’s cool about this earthy office gear—it chucks out the straight edges and right angles for curves and waves. It’s like the furniture is inviting you to come over and take a load off, instead of screaming, “Keep out! Work to be done!” These gentle lines and smooth edges remind us there’s life outside the spreadsheets and conference calls. After all, we’re humans, not robots—we’re supposed to be surrounded by things that feel, well, a bit more natural.

Green Thumbs Up for Office Air

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting. Some of these office designs have gone full garden by weaving live plants right into the furniture. Imagine your desk sprouting a little garden, or a room divider that’s basically a mini-forest. That’s instant fresh air for you, delivered courtesy of good ol’ photosynthesis—plants taking care of the stuffy office air and turning it into pure, brain-boosting oxygen. Plus, there’s something about a bit of greenery that keeps stress levels down and helps us keep our head in the game.

Going Green to Keep Your Focus Clean

Choosing sustainable materials isn’t just good for the planet; it’s good for our conscience too. Picture  every time someone plunks down at a desk made from wood that could’ve ended up in a landfill, they’re striking a blow for team Earth. It’s more than furniture—it’s a statement. Working with materials that have been given a second chance makes you feel connected to something bigger, and that’s the sort of thing that can keep you pushing on when the going gets tough—if the desk can get a new lease on life, so can that project you’ve been grinding out.

Fine-Tuning Focus with a Natural Touch

Wondering how all these earth-friendly designs help you keep your head in the game? Well, it’s not rocket science; it’s about feeling comfy. The more at ease we are in our little work nook, the more we’re able to zone in and really make magic happen. Nature’s got this knack for making us feel all zen and focused. A workspace that’s in tune with the great outdoors puts up a sort of invisible shield against the daily grind that tries to throw us off track. When the office looks and feels more like a retreat and less like a cell, the brain kicks into high gear, mood lifts, and suddenly you’re cranking out work like a champ, feeling more refreshed than if you’d taken a stroll in the park.

Nature’s Nudge in the Right Direction

So what’s the big picture here? Bringing a slice of the outdoors to our desks isn’t just a trend; it’s a smart move for keeping our wits sharp and our spirits high. It’s all about remembering that even though we’re navigating the wilds of WiFi and touchscreens, we’re still creatures of the earth at heart. Stepping into an office that feels more like a natural habitat than a fluorescent pen can make all the difference in pushing through the nine-to-five.

Office furniture maker plans $6 million factory for Ulverstone

Tuesday, 6 August 2024

South Australian-based national commercial furniture and workspace manufacturer UCI is planning to build a $6 million manufacturing facility at Ulverstone.

MillerKnoll installation shows sustainable production getting “bigger and better”

Tuesday, 2 August 2024

American furniture design group MillerKnoll has showcased its material and testing processes through a pair of installations at its showroom in Chicago.

HNI Corporation Advances Climate Leadership

Thursday, 1 August 2024

MUSCATINE, Iowa, August 01, 2024HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI) today announced the installation of solar energy systems at two strategic manufacturing locations. These solar projects underscore HNI’s proactive approach toward environmental responsibility, sustainability, and combating climate change.

Family-owned office design firm celebrates 50 years in Rochester

Thursday, 1 August 2024

ROCHESTER, Minn. – It’s been a fixture in Rochester through nine presidents, five Popes, one pandemic and even outlasted the disco music craze.  Schmidt Goodman office furniture is celebrating 50 years in business.

The business was founded in downtown Rochester back in 1974, selling common office supplies like stationary and typewriters.  Half a century later, Schmidt Goodman has evolved their focus to office furniture and design.

Humanscale Launches ‘Refreshed’ Program: Pioneering a New Era in Circular Design and Sustainability

Monday, 1 August 2024

NEW YORK —Humanscale, the leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance ergonomic products from seating to height-adjustable desks, today announces Refreshed, a first-of-its-kind circularity program that ensures its products get a second (and perhaps third) life, in an industry where manufacturers have focused on a single-use model. Starting today, expertly restored Humanscale products will be available for consumer purchase. From pioneering healthy materials and transparency, introducing the industry’s first third-party certified carbon negative products, to launching the world’s first chair made from reclaimed fishing nets, the Refreshed Collection reaffirms Humanscale’s long-standing leadership and commitment to sustainability by creating a roadmap for circular success.

MillerKnoll names three new board members as two others retire

Monday, 30 July 2024

ZEELAND, Mich. – Office and contract furniture giant MillerKnoll has appointed three new directors – John Maeda, Tina Edmundson and Jeanne Gang – to its board.

PARIC’s I3 Group to consolidate Midwest office furniture market

Monday, 29 July 2024

PARIC Holdings, a family-owned, St. Louis-based construction and building development platform, seeks to acquire MillerKnoll dealers throughout the Midwest on its way to being a national leader in the segment, said Matt Quinn, CEO of I3 Group, the company’s commercial furniture division.