Net zero Steelcase announces goal to be carbon negative by 2030

Sunday, 21 February 2021

After achieving carbon neutrality across its operations, Steelcase is now targeting new goals to be carbon negative by 2030.

Motivated by the urgency of climate change, Steelcase expanded upon its existing renewable energy commitments with the purchase of carbon offsets. In 2020, Steelcase achieved a reduction of more than 30 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions over the previous ten years. While the carbon neutral (net zero) target has been achieved by removing as much carbon as it emits, the company is now taking its commitment further with a goal to become carbon negative by 2030, which it plans to accomplish by reducing emissions across its operations with targets in line with climate science.

La-Z-Boy’s CFO Prepares to Become CEO Amid Surge in Furniture Buying

Friday, 19 February 2021

La-Z-Boy Inc.’s finance chief is preparing to take the furniture maker’s helm as the company confronts a surge in demand and faces longer-term questions on how it will continue growing after the pandemic home-improvement craze ends.

The Monroe, Mich.-based company, known for its recliners, this week named Melinda Whittington its chief executive officer, succeeding longtime CEO Kurt Darrow, who is retiring. The changes take effect on April 25.

 

La-Z-Boy keeps adapting

Thursday, 18 February 2021

MONROE, Mich. – La-Z-Boy’s recently announced fiscal third-quarter results again painted a picture of the opportunities and challenges facing the furniture industry as a whole.

In a conference call with analysts and a follow-up interview with Furniture Today, outgoing CEO Kurt Darrow and his successor, current CFO Melinda Whittington, outlined how La-Z-Boy is addressing the positives and the problems, and set the stage for a change in corporate leadership at an industry manufacturing and retail powerhouse. (Darrow will continue as chairman of the board when Whittington officially assumes the CEO role at the end of La-Z-Boy’s fiscal year.)

La-Z-Boy Announces Changes to Legal and Finance Teams

Thursday, 18 February 2021

MONROE, Mich., Feb. 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB), a global leader in residential furniture, today announced that Raphael Richmond, Senior Director of Corporate Compliance and Employment Law, will succeed Stephen K. Krull as Vice President and General Counsel, effective April 25, 2021, concurrent with the company’s new fiscal year. She will also hold the role of Chief Compliance Officer. In a related move, Uzma Ahmad, Senior Director of Corporate Law and Assistant Secretary, has been appointed Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, also effective on April 25, 2021. Krull previously announced his retirement and will work with Richmond and Ahmad to ensure a smooth transition.

Herman Miller Partners with Leading Architects to Tackle Healthcare Inequality

Thursday, 18 February 2021

MCKINNEY, TexasFeb. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — For some families across the United States, quality medical care—whether for a routine checkup or a serious injury—can be hard to come by. But when a new healthcare facility for an underserved community is opened, providing a space for services is just the beginning. In addition to facilitating quality care, the experience must be designed in a way that reduces anxiety and confronts the preexisting negative perceptions many underserved individuals may have about healthcare.

Knoll adjusts office furniture mix during bumpy 2020

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

EAST GREENVILLE, Pa. – Knoll Inc. said it is well positioned for 2021 after adjusting its marketing and manufacturing strategies to meet the needs of post-pandemic hybrid workplaces.

Knoll, ranked No. 14 in the FDMC 300, reported net earnings of $7.7 million for 2020, a precipitous drop from $59.8 million in 2019. The company’s 2020 sales totaled $1.236 billion in 2020, a 13.4% decrease from 2019. The decline was especially pronounced in the company’s commercial office furniture category. Workplace sales plunged 22% as COVID-19 forced millions of Americans to work from home and prompted many businesses to hit the pause button on office furniture purchases.

 

Knoll Names Esohe Omoruyi as Executive Vice President, Consumer & Digital Commerce

Tuesday, 16 February 2021

EAST GREENVILLE, Pa., Feb. 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Knoll, Inc. (NYSE: KNL), a constellation of design-driven brands and people, working together with clients in person and digitally to create inspired modern interiors for workplaces and homes, today announced the appointment of Esohe Omoruyi as Executive Vice President of Consumer & Digital Commerce, reporting to Andrew Cogan, Chairman and CEO.

Pandemic sends furniture manufacturers’ work from home plans into overdrive

Sunday, 14 February 2021

For the large West Michigan-based office furniture manufacturers, remote working was a familiar concept and a demand they were prepared to fulfill.

While names like Steelcase Inc., Herman Miller Inc. and Haworth Inc. were keeping an eye on the transition to higher percentages of remote workers, the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing mass exodus from traditional offices lurched that evolution forward.

La-Z-Boy Foundation makes $100,000 donation to United Way

Saturday, 13 February 2021

The La-Z-Boy Foundation has increased its campaign contribution to the United Way of  Monroe/Lenawee Counties; with this year’s donation to be $100,000.

This is in support of the 2020-21 United Way annual fundraising campaign, with the money meant to help the agency and its partners manage increased needs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kimball International Inc. (KBAL) Soars 3.23% on February 12

Friday, 12 February 2021

Kimball International Inc. (KBAL) had a good day on the market for Friday February 12 as shares jumped 3.23% to close at $11.84. About 371,420 shares traded hands on 3,542 trades for the day, compared with an average daily volume of n/a shares out of a total float of 36.88 million. After opening the trading day at $11.95, shares of Kimball International Inc. stayed within a range of $12.01 to $11.59.