NeoCon Final / Steelcase Posts Slightly Better Results / Sandow acquires Design Milk site / A Third of Employees Work at Home on Normal Workdays / Office Vacancies Are Concentrated In 30% Of The Nationwide Office Stock / Vacant offices are piling up in Silicon Valley / Exploring the Link Between Office Market Dynamics and Early Stage Startup Density / In their great return to the offices, the technology companies have a surprise for their employees: they will be smaller / Are workplace gyms and other perks out of step with hybrid working? / The Effect AI Will Have on the Workplace Is Becoming More Clear / and much more…


The Working Space
Monday, June 26, 2023

Industry News

Steelcase Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results
Steelcase Inc. reported Q1 2024 revenue of $751.9 million, with a year-over-year revenue and earnings growth in a dynamic environment. Gross margin improvement of 530 basis points was driven by pricing benefits and operational efficiencies. The outlook projects the first half of fiscal 2024 ahead of pace against full-year financial targets. Revenue increased 2% in Q1 2024 compared to the prior year, and orders declined 7% compared to the prior year. The company expects second-quarter fiscal 2024 revenue to be in the range of $815 to $840 million, with earnings per share of $0.13 to $0.17. Steelcase also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share. 
 
"Our International segment reported an adjusted operating loss of $4.5 million in the first quarter, which is expected to worsen in the second quarter due to seasonality and the impact of continued economic uncertainty on our demand levels," said Dave Sylvester, senior vice president and CFO. "As a result of the softening trends, we announced a series of restructuring actions during the quarter in our International segment."

Sandow acquires Design Milk

Sandow, the publisher of Interior Design, Luxe Interiors + Design and Metropolis, has acquired Design Milk, an online platform for an undisclosed amount. Sandow founder Adam Sandow says that Design Milk is one of the original and best design platforms, and they’ve done such a good job maintaining the brand and surviving the tumult of the industry. Sandow will acquire Design Milk’s social media presence, including an Instagram account with 3.8 million followers, and all of its employees will remain on staff.

According to Sandow, the near-term objective is to bring Design Milk into the Sandow fold, not to make editorial changes. Sandow states that they want to invest in Design Milk and build on it. Sandow will be the third owner of Design Milk. Founded in 2006 by Jaime Derringer, the site was part of a wave of blogs that rose to prominence in the late 2000s. Its audience grew steadily over the next decade, and Derringer branched out into podcasts, events and commerce while still running Design Milk mostly herself.

Derringer sold Design Milk to Ahalife, an e-commerce roll-up, in 2019. At the time, the idea was to develop a more robust marketplace and turn Design Milk into something like the Food52 of design. Citing burnout and a desire to find deeper pockets to grow the site, Derringer sold Design Milk. Mancini left the company earlier this year. The content-meets-commerce play did not appear to have transformed Design Milk—the site does not currently feature a marketplace, and Sandow says that, going forward, the brand’s focus will be on ad sales, not commerce.

For Sandow, the acquisition points to an omnivorous approach to media, with much of the recent expansion happening online. The company unwound its most recent print partnership with Galerie in 2020 and since then has mostly announced digital endeavors, including DesignTV—a streaming channel for design content—and Surround, a podcast network. Sandow has also been aggressive about expanding beyond content and into services, including the acquisition of research firm ThinkLab and the launch of a creative studio, The Agency. The acquisition of Design Milk, while clearly an opportunistic buy, plays into Sandow’s kitchen sink approach to publishing.

Architecture firms improved in May, with the highest AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score since last September. Inquiries into new projects and the value of new design contracts also increased this month, with inquiries reaching their highest level in nine months and design contracts increasing for the first time since February. However, business conditions remain variable in different regions of the country, with billings declining in both the West and Northeast. In terms of employment, nonfarm payroll employment continued to grow at a steady pace, with 339,000 new jobs added in May.

Remote Work and Productivity

More than four in 10 responding firm leaders (43%) indicated that they feel that staff productivity levels have decreased as compared to pre-pandemic levels. On the other hand, 22% of firm leaders believe that productivity levels have increased, while 35% think that they have remained about the same as pre-pandemic levels. In terms of remote work, 70% of responding firm leaders estimated that nearly all paid workdays at their firm are worked remotely in some capacity. Overall, slightly more than one third of firm leaders (35%) reported that they believe that their firm’s remote work policy has decreased overall staff productivity, while 55% think that it has not significantly changed productivity, and 10% think that it has increased overall staff productivity.

Intereum joins PARIC Holdings family of companies

Intereum has joined PARIC Holdings to expand their commitment to integrated building and workplace solutions, strengthening their suite of services and supporting their customers. PARIC Holdings is a privately held family business generating a billion dollars in annual revenue across multiple construction-related industries. The acquisition of Intereum comes a year following PARIC Holdings' purchase of Interior Investments, another MillerKnoll Certified Dealer. Bret Abbott, CEO and Founder of Intereum, is excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings, enabling them to better serve their clients. Together, they will create experiences to meet clients' business needs through Intereum's offerings of workplace strategy, furniture application, audio visual deployment, and project-related services.

PARIC Holdings is the parent company of several privately held building and design firms, including Cooperative Building Solutions, Henning Companies, Interior Investments, LLC, and PARIC Corporation. Headquartered in St. Louis, PARIC Holdings provides talent, capital, and resources to support its portfolio of growing businesses in multiple construction-related industries, including general construction, interior construction, electrical co-ops construction, agriculture construction, procurement services, and more.

According to the American Time Use Survey, 34% of employed persons did at least some of their work at home on workdays in 2022. Workers with higher levels of education were more likely to work at home. Those who worked at home did so for 5.4 hours compared to 7.9 hours for those at the workplace. This presents a challenge for business executives and office property owners trying to bring people back to the office.
JLL reports that while high office vacancy rates are nationwide, a disproportionate amount of empty office space is concentrated in a relatively small percentage of buildings, with 60% of vacancy in 10% of office buildings and over 90% of vacancy in 30% of office buildings. The properties with the highest individual vacancies are older-vintage offices built in the 1980s and 1990s, totaling more than half of the new vacancies that have occurred since 2020, despite representing only about 40% of total U.S. office inventory. Office leasing activity has recovered somewhat but is still well below recent historical averages, and unlikely to buoy the fortunes of more beleaguered office properties.
Innovant, a commercial furniture dealer, has signed a seven-year lease for an 11,120-square-foot showroom and office space at 440 Park Avenue South in NoMad, New York City. The company plans to move into its new space on the entire ninth floor of Samco Properties’ building near the end of the year. Asking rent was around $65 per square foot. JLL's Brett Harvey represented the landlord in the deal while Todd Stracci, also of JLL, handled it for Innovant.
Silicon Valley tech companies like Google and Meta are shedding office space at an accelerating pace, causing office-vacancy rates to rise to 17% in June from 11% in 2019. The level of surplus office space remains below what is available in San Francisco, but some analysts and investors expect Silicon Valley will narrow the gap because tech companies are going through layoffs and are shedding unwanted floors. The trend can be seen in the sublease market, where a record 7.6 million square feet of office space is available in Silicon Valley, up from 2.7 million in 2019, according to CoStar.

NeoCon 2023

NeoCon Wrap from the Folks who Run NeoCon

NeoCon is (still) the largest and most important platform for commercial interior design, and this year's edition brought together more than 50,000 design industry professionals at THE MART in Chicago. Attendees included manufacturers, dealers, architects, designers, end-users, design organizations, and media, who were all eager to discover the most innovative products and learn about the trends shaping the future of design.

The three-day event was buzzing with an impressive roster of exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services. The show-goers enjoyed captivating keynote presentations by world-renowned futurists, architects, and designers. For instance, Amy Webb, the Founder & CEO of the Future Today Institute, Co-Founder of MASS Design Group, Michael Murphy, and Chicago Hip Hop Legend & MIT Professor, Lupe Fiasco, all gave keynote speeches.

The event coincided with the unveiling of THE MART’s latest building renovations designed by Gensler Chicago. NeoCon attendees were the first to experience the amenity-rich enhancements, including state-of-the-art programming studios, community rooms, and a redesigned River Park.

Exhibitors showcased products that incorporate wellness, balance, and socially and environmentally responsible core values. For example, Schiavello launched its Climate Workstation System, which uses natural, low-waste, and easily-recyclable materials to produce and was designed to support complete workspace flexibility thanks to an easily reconfigurable layout. Shaw Contract launched an inspiring collaboration with Mike Ford, while HMTX Industries unveiled Mycelium Collection, the market’s first introduction to an entirely new, non-vinyl, circular multilayer flooring system.

The Best of NeoCon Awards returned to the show for its 33rd year. The 114 awards recognized NeoCon exhibitor products in more than 50 categories, including Gold, Silver, Sustainability, Innovation, Business Impact, and Best of Competition. The Flote Lounge Collection from Hightower took home the Best of Competition honor, while six products received Business Impact Awards.

The event also offered diverse on-site and virtual educational offerings, lively events, and activations that encouraged knowledge sharing and working together. Thought leaders from the industry's leading associations addressed critical topics, including equity, empathy, social justice, sustainability, and workplace occupancy in an ever-evolving landscape.

NeoCon will return on June 10-12, 2024, for a special milestone––the 55th edition.

NeoCon Wrap from Stump & Company

The Stump team traveled to Chicago this week for the annual office/contract furnishings show called NeoCon. It was an upbeat and productive show, and CEOs were optimistic despite continued occupancy headwinds and disruption in the office sector.

Neocon is one of Stumps’ favorite trade shows (June in Chicago tends to be a win!), and, historically, the show has been located in one place, but there is now disruption with the competing venues. The Merchandise Mart is the historical site for the entire industry to gather under one roof, but, this year (for the second year), the Fulton Market Design Days was active and vibrant with old warehouses converted to loft showrooms, and new towers with bright and airy venues for product displays and client meetings. The tenants love this area for this annual show and year-round meetings.

There is a terrific food scene in Fulton Market and emerging boutique hotels. It will get even better with time. There is clearly a transition away from the Mart to Fulton Market, yet the Mart was nearly full of new exhibitors (many new names and lots of international players), and the halls were jammed and attitudes were upbeat.

The logistics of getting between the two venues remains challenged with too few buses, poor mapping of where showrooms are located, and the Tuesday rain didn’t help. Disruptions aside, we enjoyed the show and the opportunity to meet with over 50 industry CEOs.

QUOTE OF THE MARKET

When I mentioned this resi-mercial product focus, one seasoned CEO said “No! Resi-Mercial is a bad word. The name to use is ‘soft contract.’"
 
Key Takeaways

Disruption

Beyond the showroom competition, many friends were concerned with the fragile dealer network, and the threats of e-commerce and direct sales models. Aligned dealers are under pressure thanks to a COVID hangover along with the MillerKnoll combination, and the aging ownership of the dealers. Expect to see consolidation.

Soft Seating

The key product trend was comfortable upholstery for creating inviting office environments that entice the expanded work from home population of workers to return to the office. Quote of the Market: When I mentioned this resi-mercial product focus, one seasoned CEO said “No! Resi-Mercial is a bad word. The name to use is ‘soft contract.’"

The Future of the Office

Our clients are witnessing corporations shrink their office footprint, and commercial office real estate owners are scrambling to remain solvent. Will employees come back to work? Can bosses require employees to work in the office? We are seeing shorter lease terms, and more modular architecture furnishings to remain more flexible in this choppy economic time.

M&A

Following the MillerKnoll and HNI-Kimball acquisitions, we expect to see more transactions, both large and small. We see many older owners who have no succession plan, as well as many weaker companies, seeking “just to get out.” 

Based in Charlotte, NC, Stump & Company is a privately held Mergers & Acquisition Advisory firm led by its second and third generations, partners Tim Stump, Stuart Stump Mullens and Bo Stump.

Features

New York City has surpassed San Francisco in the number of early stage startups, with Manhattan posting 543 early stage venture capital rounds compared to San Francisco's 486. The office market is heavily weighted towards the tech industry in San Francisco, where tech companies have been shrinking their footprints or relocating altogether, while New York's tech industry has been growing rapidly over the past five years. The correlation between startup activity and the office market is examined through venture funding as a proxy for startup growth, with the tech sector having been hugely important to the office market over the last few years.
A survey of LABS members revealed that over 70% still see the physical office as a strategic device for their businesses, with more than 74% using the office for two or more days per week. However, companies are navigating a path that balances company expectations with staff desire for remote work, which can help with work/life balance and other personal responsibilities. The feasibility and desirability of remote work depend on employees' seniority and distinct working styles.

While 40% of civil servants in the UK are still working from home, some high-profile firms have reversed their work-from-home policies, including Meta, Starbucks, and Walt Disney Co. Other firms, like Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Apple, and Peloton, require their employees to return to the office three days per week. Amazon and General Motors also have a thrice weekly attendance policy. PwC's chairman believes that incentives and AI can lure people back to the office.

Being present in the office fosters creativity and engenders a sense of culture. LABS members also value colleague relationships. Workplace strategies can easily shift to address sudden changes, and LABS' turnkey solutions and flexible tenancy arrangements can help optimize a workplace model that works for everyone.

Workspace News

JPMorgan Chase and BNP Paribas are rethinking the role of the workplace in the post-pandemic world. Both banks are incorporating lessons learned during the pandemic into their designs, with a focus on fresh air, flexible workspaces, and perks such as on-site medical care and food halls. JPMorgan's new headquarters in Manhattan will have two times more fresh air circulating than required by building code, while BNP Paribas has added more flexibility to its new workplace with "flex desks" and rooms for meetings.
Cushman & Wakefield has released a new book called 'Reworking the Workplace' which explores the future of work, workplace and the city in the face of global disruptors. The book provides data, concepts and frameworks, historic analysis and 50+ case studies across three thematic areas of People, Purpose and Place. Here is a link to watch the video podcast.
The AI industry has grown rapidly in recent years, with generative AI being used in a wide range of applications. While AI will impact jobs, it is expected to mostly lead to additional jobs instead of replacing them. AI could help companies scale up, improve their employee retention rate, and perform better overall. However, there are still concerns about job loss due to AI, and leaders in the industry and lawmakers should be focusing on mitigating its impact on the workforce.
As companies prioritize returning to the office, many are adopting hybrid work models and reducing the size of their offices to contain spending. According to a survey by Knight Frank, 50% of large companies plan to reduce their office space in the next three years, with companies of over 25,000 employees planning to reduce office area by 10-20%. Layoffs are a main reason for this reduction, and companies are also optimizing common space and restricting remote work options to attract employees back to the office.
As workplaces shift to hybrid models, traditional perks like workplace gyms may be less economically viable. Remote working can lead to decreased physical activity, but also enables better work-life balance. Access to green and blue spaces can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, and can be incorporated into office design. Physical activity remains one of the most effective ways to enhance wellbeing, and businesses can offer social opportunities linked to exercise to keep employees moving.
Tech companies such as Google, Salesforce, and Lyft, who were early pioneers of remote work policies, are now requiring employees to return to the office, with some making it a requirement. This shift is due to the upper hand companies now have with industry layoffs topping 200,000 so far this year. The push to get tech workers back to office buildings could bring the tech industry more in line with other sectors, and would be a boon to struggling offices in major cities.
The British Council for Offices (BCO) annual conference explored the purpose of the office in the context of the evolving world of work, with a focus on designing, building, and managing inspiring workplaces that foster well-being and advancement. Several speakers made a case for the office, citing the importance of social capital and face-to-face interactions, while others emphasized the need to measure and track the employee experience. The conference also addressed the challenges of navigating the present and forging a path towards a prosperous future, including the need for flexibility, cost-cutting, and a systemic transition towards a new UK.
To encourage workers to return to the office, companies are offering incentives such as charitable donations of $10. However, poor performance evaluations may be given to those who choose to work remotely. While some businesses have called their workers back to the office, others are implementing new tactics to ensure that employees return. For example, Google has announced that performance reviews may take into account lengthy, unexplained absences from the office. The company has also limited remote work to exceptions only. As more companies accept that hybrid work is a permanent reality, they are finding that being near each other makes work better. Ideas bubble up more naturally in the clamor of the office, where interruptions are not considered rude. Salesforce, which had announced that much of its staff could be fully or partially remote forever, is now trying to lure workers back to the office with charitable donations. The company's previous workplace plans emphasized the death of the 9-to-5 workday. This shift back to in-person work has made for a long period of workplace planning, and the shift companies have made toward firmer deadlines has taken some recruiters by surprise. However, companies that have settled into hybrid routines are finding that the issue of returning to the office no longer comes up and that many of their workers prefer the in-person experience.

Design

As businesses evaluate their office utilization and strategies in light of the pandemic, the concept of "right-sizing" is taking center stage. This involves asking deeper questions about the purpose of the office, discovering employee priorities, defining the right-sized space, designing for flexibility and future needs, and prototyping and guiding for long-term success. The focus should be on the full employee experience, with culture-building events and guidance to support learning, development, mentorship, socialization, wellness, and overall office joy.

Technology

Architectural firms are using data and artificial intelligence to design better office buildings and spaces that cater to workers' individual needs. Zaha Hadid Architects has a dedicated in-house team, Zaha Hadid Analytics + Insights, that uses sensors to track people and environmental conditions and cross-references that data to get a better picture of actual needs. They use the data to relocate coffee spots and pantries, rearrange furniture and desks, redesign lighting, seat people at desks that are better suited to their work, and use partitions in smarter ways. However, privacy is a significant concern when it comes to A.I.-assisted workplace design.

Sustainability

Businesses have long claimed to focus on reducing their environmental impact, but it's unclear what actions they're actually taking. Companies are facing scrutiny on social media and in the media when they fail to uphold their 'green' claims, as seen with a high street bank's advertising campaign being pulled in 2022. The European Commission's proposed rules to tackle greenwashing show a desire for real action in the business community. Although cost is a concern, it will cost more in the long run if businesses don't act. Focusing on the physical workplace itself is a crucial step, especially with the shift to hybrid working. Recycling and refurbishing office equipment can save costs and reduce carbon footprint. Small changes such as switching to more energy-efficient lighting and collaborating with renewable or carbon-neutral suppliers can make a big difference. Business leaders should share best practices and results to encourage sustainability. With more businesses pledging sustainability commitments, the office should be a starting point for becoming more sustainable.

Latest Products

LINAK showcased its innovative DPI desk panel and other unique office furniture applications at NeoCon 2023, redefining the workplace experience. The adjustable couch and wall bench create inviting office environments that make employees eager to return to work. LINAK's DL PLUS high-speed lifting columns enable swift height adjustments for sit-stand desks and other height-adjustable applications.
 
The debut of the DPI desk panel garnered immense praise for the integration of anti-collision technology into the panel, eliminating the need for an external sensor.
 
The company is committed to sustainability, with a focus on reducing energy consumption while manufacturing sustainable, high-performing solutions. LINAK's Danish culture, family heritage, and values inspired their commitment to sustainability and user-centric innovation.
Boss Design's Sia task chair is not only environmentally friendly, but also visually appealing. The chair's carbon footprint is only 58.02kg CO2e, significantly lower than the industry average, and it consists of 70.6% recycled content. Its design features soft curves and a wide range of color options, including four colors for the back frame and 33 colors for the mesh. Custom color orders are also available. Sia is easily separated for repair and/or recovery of components and 99.4% of its materials can be recycled at the end of its life. "We can always improve comfort, form and sustainability with every new chair we design, and that’s how we approached Sia," says David Bonneywell, Design Manager at Boss Design.
Keilhauer introduces the Tailored collection at NeoCon, designed by EOOS to address the need for sophisticated workplaces in high-end markets. The collection includes four product families: Symm, Swav, Neesh, and Fold, each with unique designs and features. All products are built with high-quality materials and carry BIFMA Level® 2 and SCS Global Services certification for Indoor Air Quality at the Indoor Advantage™ Gold level. Keilhauer is a privately owned, design-focused contract furniture manufacturer that produces seating and tables for various spaces.
Global previewed its new Willow seating series at NeoCon 2023, designed in collaboration with healthcare professionals and housekeeping for acute, ambulatory, and long-term care. The series includes various chair and stool options, with upholstery in 14 colors and 20 frame finishes. Willow is modular and can be arranged in various configurations, with power and USB options available. The series is pending Greenguard and Level certification and is BIFMA certified and warranted for weight limits.
Global introduced its new Softpod series at NeoCon 2023, a modular workstation made of recycled polyester felt with excellent sound absorption and a continuous tackable surface. Softpod offers flexible placement, individual privacy, and customizable privacy preferences. It also features casual storage options, power and data solutions, and a range of accessories and storage options.
Global introduced its new Rebound seating series at NeoCon 2023, featuring a patented flex back for optimal comfort and a timeless aesthetic. The versatile chair comes in 14 colors and offers upholstered seat and back options, with four-leg, caster, and sled base variations. Rebound is ideal for common areas, training spaces, classrooms, and other flexible spaces and is pending Greenguard and Level certification. The series is backed by Global's Limited Lifetime Warranty and is manufactured in North America.
Fellowes has launched Array™, a networked air quality system that combines the benefits of stand-alone purifiers, HVAC, and monitoring systems to detect and improve indoor air quality. The system features hospital-grade H13 True HEPA filtration and an integrated suite of IAQ sensors to monitor a space, including particulates, occupancy, temperature, pressure, humidity, carbon dioxide, and TVOCs. Building managers can remotely monitor Array's performance and adjust units in real-time using Fellowes' cloud-based software, Viewpoint. Array™ aims to foster healthier environments across facilities, entertainment venues, and indoor spaces where people gather.
Global introduced its new Noetic seating series at NeoCon 2023, featuring a weight-sensing mechanism and user-friendly adjustment options. The sleek chair is designed to complement formal and casual environments, with a range of task chairs, mesh or upholstered backs, and options with or without arms. Noetic is pending Greenguard and Level certification and is backed by Global's Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Hollman, Inc. has debuted its Workspace Team Locker at NeoCon 2023, offering smart storage features that meet the needs of modern workspaces. The new design boasts secure locked areas, LED lighting, and a personal charging station, and is fully customizable for company branding. Hollman products are also committed to sustainability, with a manufacturing process optimized for resource conservation and responsible material selection.
Global showcased new additions to its Drift seating series at NeoCon 2023, including sled, swivel, and caster base options, lounge and side chairs with wood legs, and arm and headrest patches. The collection also features flip-forward seats for easy cleanability in healthcare settings and sealed seams and moisture barriers for healthcare applications.
Global previewed its new Collaborative Spaces series at NeoCon 2023, featuring mobile tables, team and hospitality carts designed by ModusID to adapt to the evolving demands of workplace and education environments. The series includes modular team carts, mobile presentation boards and screen supports, communal and occasional tables, and hospitality carts to facilitate teamwork within physical spaces while keeping remote team members connected.
Kriskadecor's Feel Free system is a self-standing chain link structure that eliminates the need for walls and ceilings, allowing for customizable height, shape, and color. It's easy to install and move, and can be used to create flexible spaces for interior and exterior projects. The system is sustainable, with aluminum links that can be infinitely recycled and a base and steel mast that can be easily separated for recycling. Kriskadecor offers a wide range of chain link structure applications overall, including the new Luxe Color Edition that allows for complete customization.
Luxxbox has launched Georgina, an elegant acoustic pendant that offers powerful noise absorption capabilities with a large dome structure, soft crisscross pattern, and intricately designed glass diffuser. The pendant is fashioned from a sturdy, lightweight PET dome yet has a delicate, floating quality, and is fully recyclable at the end of life. Georgina is a striking acoustic pendant suitable for commercial interiors and creates calming, comfortable spaces.
Fräsch's STRATAWOOD is an award-winning acoustic panel system with linear wood slats that offers both acoustic function and elevated aesthetics. It comes in four wood-grain options with a True Black PET backing and can be easily installed by gluing or screwing onto any existing ceiling or wall. STRATAWOOD is made of 100-percent PET that utilizes 55-percent post-consumer recycled content and is CARB-approved TPC, FSC Chain of Custody Certified, and 100-percent recyclable.

Other News

According to a study by Zillow, certain paint colors can make your house sell for more, with dark gray walls in the kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom correlating to higher offer prices. Opting for a midtone gray could get sellers up to $2,553 more, while white kitchens could result in buyers offering up to $612 less. Gray is seen as a color of retreat and security, which is appealing to buyers looking for a refuge from the uncertainty of the outside world.

Trends in Commercial Projects from Around the Globe

Sony Music's new headquarters in London's King's Cross, designed by MoreySmith, features flexible workspaces tailored to each record label's identity, as well as coffee shops, private study areas, outdoor spaces, and breakout rooms. Sustainability was a core principle, with recycled materials and local makers used to minimize waste and carbon intensity of freight.
​Califia Farms has opened a new 30,000 sq ft office in the Maxwell Coffee House, a historic 1924 factory in LA's Arts District, designed by national architecture and design firm SLAM. The space features multi-purpose, open concept areas to accommodate 200 staff members, with 15% of workstations dedicated to hoteling office desks. The office also includes amenities that reflect Califia Farms' brand ethos, such as a tasting kitchen and colorful murals by local artists. The project was executed entirely virtually, with SLAM utilizing immersive design technology tools to coordinate between sub-consultant teams and Califia Farms.
Risk Management Association (RMA) hired Meyer to create a state-of-the-art corporate headquarters in Philadelphia, PA, that accommodates a post-pandemic, hybrid working model. The design features an open-café concept, a large conference space with telescoping walls, and comfortable furniture throughout. The workspace reflects the principles of equitable design and incorporates elements of RMA's past. RMA employees and board members have expressed satisfaction with the design of the space, available technology, historical touchpoints, and views of the city of Philadelphia.

Upcoming Industry Events

NeoCon 2024
June 10-12, 2024 | Chicago, IL
 
NeoCon has served as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry since 1969. A launch pad for innovation—NeoCon offers ideas and introductions that shape the built environment today and into the future.  

Clerkenwell Design Week 2024
May 21-23, 2024 | London

Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it truly one of the most important design hubs in the world. To celebrate this rich and diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week has created a showcase of leading UK and international brands and companies presented in a series of showroom events, exhibitions and special installations that take place across the area.

Orgatec 2024
October 22-26, 2024 | Cologne, Germany

Orgatec is the International trade fair for office and property equipment. Held in Cologne, Germany.

Industry Briefing

Lesro Celebrates Dan O'Malley's 34 Years of Dedicated Service
Dan O'Malley, Director of Emerging Opportunities at Lesro Industries, is retiring after 34 years with the company. He played a key role in Lesro's growth and development, and his successor, Leslie Girsky, praised his guidance and generosity. Lesro's General Manager and co-owner expressed gratitude for O'Malley's contributions and wished him well in his next chapter. Lesro Industries is a family-owned furniture manufacturer based in Connecticut that specializes in waiting room, reception area, and lounge furniture.

Landscape Forms Appoints Scott Reinholt, ASLA as New Vice President of Sales
Landscape Forms has promoted Scott Reinholt, ASLA, from Director of Sales for the Eastern Region to Vice President of Sales. Reinholt, a registered landscape architect, has been with the company since 2002 and has served as President of the ASLA Michigan Chapter and the Michigan State University Landscape Architecture Alumni Advisory Board. He aims to expand the sales team while maintaining a focus on personalized service and dedication to customers.

BIFMA Announces Election of New Officers and Directors to the Board
BIFMA has elected three officers and three new board members, including Franco Bianchi, Brian Krenke, Jeff Lorenger, Marc Langeland, Rebecca Boenigk, and Wilson Chow. BIFMA is a leading non-profit furniture trade association in North America that manages and develops furniture standards for safety, ergonomics, health, sustainability, and performance.

BOLD Furniture Opens New Chicago Showroom, Focuses on Brand Expansion
BOLD Furniture has opened a new showroom at THE MART in Chicago to showcase its multi-discipline manufacturing capabilities and expand its own product lines and sales and distribution network nationwide. The Muskegon, Michigan-based manufacturer will continue to provide OEM services to its partners while increasing the brand's presence in markets where it has been historically underrepresented. The new showroom features product vignettes of each standard product collection, a design center for collaboration, and lounge and café areas.
Find the best Contract Furniture Industry jobs and hire the best talent.
Dear Stephen, We're all back at work, and I completely forgot this over the last three years, but every summer in my office, the thermostat wars begin as soon as the warm weather starts. I'm 36 years old - a marketing director of a furniture company in the Northeast, and a woman.
Exemplis, manufacturer of SitOnIt and IDEON seating, is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and highly motivated sales representative for our Mid-Atlantic Sales Team.

Indoff is expanding and in need of experienced outside sales professionals in your area. If you’re tired of missing out on money due to low commission rates or you’re sick of quotas, then Indoff is the perfect solution for you. We offer you the back-end support you deserve while rewarding with benefits.

Senior Regional Designer – Boston

The Senior Regional Designer is a home-based position, reporting to the Design Manager. This position will produce and oversee print and digital creative solutions that satisfy the marketing needs of Royal Thai or client.

Mayer Fabrics, a leading commercial textile company, is seeking highly motivated and dynamic Sales Representatives and/or Rep Groups in the greater areas of Dallas, TX, New York, NY, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada to join our team.
Swiftspace is the leader in flexible, mobile, modular furniture, and we are expanding our network of manufacturer's representatives. The market is demanding flexibility!

With 11 lines of product that can outfit virtually every application in the office: from simple to sophisticated workstations - including private offices with doors, Swiftspace cannot be equalled when providing flexible solutions to the ever-changing needs of the workplace.

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