Steelcase Layoffs / Kimball International Reports Third Quarter 2023 Pre-Acquisition Results / CBI Expands with the Acquisition of Long-Standing Dealer CSI Fullmer / Insidesource Expands Its Reach in the Pacific Northwest with the Acquisition of Environments, Portland, Oregon / Teknion considering exporting from India to APAC & Europe soon / Manhattan Office Leasing Falls Below 2020's Pace / One in Three Office Buildings are Ripe for Residential Conversion / Kilroy Realty Anticipates Uptick In Return To Office Soon / After 'pity city' speech, MillerKnoll CEO learns key lesson in how to deliver a message / People-Driven Alternate Workspaces  / Firms missing the chances to implement hybrid working and adopt new technologies / and much more…


The Monday Morning Quarterback
Monday, May 8, 2023

🏈 Cheat Sheet 🏈

The New Potential Office Killer: AI?

Oh, so office asset owners, investors, and contract furniture bigwigs have had it rough lately, huh? Must be tough playing a never-ending game of dodgeball with all those pesky pandemic closures, work-from-home policies, and hybrid offices. Poor things just want some stability, don't they?

Now, here comes the big, bad AI threat, about to flip the traditional office-based job scene upside down. Goldman Sachs economists predict that AI automation could wipe out a mind-blowing 18% of the global workforce, aka around 300 million jobs. Ouch!

So, what does this mean for the workforce? Well, fewer office jobs means less demand for office furniture (duh!). That spells trouble for the office furniture industry, which will have to adapt and supply less furniture to stay afloat. Maybe they could try selling really expensive cubicles instead? Just a thought.

IBM's CEO, Arvind Krishna, spilled the beans in a Bloomberg interview, saying they're not hiring for roles that might get replaced by AI soon. He thinks a third of back-office jobs could go *poof* within five years. Customer-facing roles seem safe for now, but who knows how long that'll last?

The financial services sector is all about that AI life, using it to streamline operations and cut costs. JLL says organizations are already using AI-powered virtual assistants for better customer service. As a result, they're hiring more people with skills in cloud computing, AI, machine learning, and programming. Software developers and data scientists are the new hotshots, with the largest banks hiring 90% more of them since 2018.

Sure, technology might kill some jobs, but it can also create new ones. The big question is whether new jobs will appear fast enough. And as tech keeps evolving, it might even change the demand for space in other commercial real estate sectors.

So, the real estate industry better buckle up and get ready for the AI rollercoaster. They'll need to adapt to the ever-changing modern (and futuristic) workplace, which might include a drop in demand for office spaces and all the ripple effects that go with it.

In other news, Steelcase is laying off hundreds of workers in the U.S. and abroad, thanks to inflation, a drop in orders, and low plant utilization. They're even closing a distribution center in Atlanta, Ga. Meanwhile, Steelcase's CEO, Sara Armbruster, is on the lookout for ways to drive the company's strategy forward. Nice to know someone's got a plan, even if it's at the expense of the employees.

And now, a moment to remember Andi Owen, the CEO of Herman Miller. Her infamous rant, where she dismissed her employees' bonus concerns while raking in a hefty bonus herself, became the perfect example of what not to do as a CEO. Andi's lack of empathy and her cringe-worthy motivational speech turned her into the poster child for corporate greed and insensitivity. But hey, at least she made MillerKnoll a household name, right?

As long as leaders like Andi keep putting themselves first, we'll never hear the end of this story. But maybe we can learn from their mistakes and try to be better leaders ourselves. Let's not forget the importance of empathy, especially during tough times. Or, you know, just buy stock when everything goes south like MillerKnoll's Chairman, Michael Volkema, who recently dropped a cool million to buy 60,200 shares. Good luck to the MillerKnoll employees who now have to boost profits even more so Volkema can cash out. What a pity. MW

By the Numbers…

In recent years, investors have reacted with anxiety and excitement to strong jobs numbers, with better-than-expected payroll reports resulting in higher-than-expected inflation and more rate hikes. However, this pattern seems to be changing as investors have cheered the April jobs report, which came in far better than expected, with 253,000 jobs added versus an estimate for 185,000. The S&P 500 closed up 1.85% on the day, managing to wipe out much of the week's earlier losses, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.25%.

The shift in investor sentiment towards strong jobs numbers could have significant implications for the office furniture industry. As more people return to work and companies begin to hire, there may be a greater demand for flexible and ergonomic furniture that can adapt to changing circumstances and promote health and well-being. Companies that can respond to these trends and offer innovative solutions are likely to be well-positioned to take advantage of the changing market conditions.

 
Quotes of the Week…
 
“There are millions of square feet of un-leased, new construction/major renovations and future large vacant blocks in existing buildings scheduled to enter Manhattan’s availability rate in the coming months and years.” - Colliers Executive Managing Director Franklin Wallach.

Industry Stocks at Friday's Close

World Container Index - May 4, 2023
Drewry’s composite World Container Index increased by 1% to $1,763.28 per 40ft container this week.

QB's Aeron Chair Index

The Aeron Chair Index
The price of a used Aeron Chair in the SF Bay Area as computed by Craigslist on 5 May 2023 - US $486 (-0.4%)   Last week: US $487
 
The price of a used Aeron Chair in the NYC Area as computed by Craigslist on 5 May 2023 - US $386 (+6.9%)  Last week: US $361 

Industry News

First it was the grounding of its jet fleet, now Steelcase Inc. will lay off hundreds of employees in the U.S. and overseas due to inflationary pressures, declining order volume, and decreasing plant utilization. The office furniture manufacturer will close a regional distribution center in Atlanta, resulting in the termination of approximately 30 employees. The layoffs should be completed by the end of the company’s 2024 fiscal year, with most departures anticipated by the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. This is part of a larger restructuring plan that includes the termination of about 80 to 85 hourly employees and 150 to 155 salaried employees in the company’s Asia Pacific market. The company expects $6 million to $7 million in annualized savings once these restructuring actions have been fully implemented. Additionally, the company will reduce its workforce for 40 to 50 salaried roles for Steelcase’s operations in France. These actions will result in approximately $10 million to $13 million in pre-tax restructuring charges and the company anticipates $4 million to $5 million in annualized savings once these actions are fully implemented. Steelcase has reported revenue of $3.2 billion for its 2023 fiscal year — up from $2.8 billion from fiscal year 2022.

Chairman of ‘Leave Pity City’ Firm MillerKnoll Buys $1 Million of Stock
Chairman Michael A. Volkema of MillerKnoll, the furniture maker whose CEO (Andi Owens) recently made controversial remarks, purchased 60,200 shares of the company's stock for $1 million on May 3. The purchase is Volkema's first since the company was formed in July 2021, and comes after a 24% drop in MillerKnoll's stock so far this year.

Kimball International, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Kimball International, Inc. announced Q3 FY 2023 results:

Net sales: $166.1M Gross margin: 37.6% Net income: $5.7M; Adjusted net income: $11.2M Diluted EPS: $0.15; Adjusted diluted EPS: $0.30 Adjusted EBITDA: $15.4M, up $3.9M YoY Backlog: $134.5M

CEO Kristie Juster commented that the market positioning continues to benefit from their key competitive advantages, namely the strategic composition and orientation of their product portfolio and their strong presence in key growth geographies.

In Q3 FY 2023, consolidated net sales were $166.1 million, compared to $180.9 million in the year ago quarter. Gross margin expanded 710 basis points year-over-year to 37.6%, due to continued price benefits, moderating inflation and cost-out programs. Adjusted EBITDA increased year-over-year by 34% to $15.4 million.

Capital expenditures in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 were $5.5 million. Kimball International returned $4.2 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.

“We are confident that combining with HNI represents the ideal fit for our family of brands and will provide our employees and stakeholders with the enhanced opportunities afforded by a larger, more diversified industry leader.” Ms. Juster concluded.

Kimball International, Inc. will not host an earnings conference call for its Q3 2023 results, due to the pending acquisition by HNI Corporation.

CBI Expands with the Acquisition of Long-Standing Allsteel Dealer CSI Fullmer
Allsteel Inc. has announced that Corporate Business Interiors, Inc. (CBI), an Allsteel dealer, is acquiring another Allsteel dealer, CSI Fullmer. This acquisition will help CBI expand its business in the Los Angeles market, where it has been serving clients successfully for 43 years. CSI Fullmer has existing relationships with public sector organizations in the area, providing expertise and a client-base that will expand CBI's portfolio. As CSI Fullmer's #1 manufacturer partner, Allsteel fully supports this acquisition and will play a role in helping transition CSI Fullmer clients seamlessly to CBI.

Insidesource Expands Its Reach in the Pacific Northwest with the Acquisition of Environments, Portland, Oregon
Insidesource, a global provider of workplace solutions, has acquired Environments, a women-led company in Portland, Oregon. With this acquisition, Insidesource becomes the predominant Allsteel commercial dealer of the Pacific Northwest Region. Environments will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Insidesource from its present showroom in the Slabtown district of Portland. The alignment of the two companies is a testament to their shared values and creative vision, and it represents a powerful opportunity to make an impact on the workplace environments of clients, not only in Portland but all over the world.

Interface Reports First Quarter 2023 Results
Interface, Inc. reported first quarter 2023 results with net sales of $295.8 million, up 2.7% YoY, and adjusted earnings per share of $0.07. The Americas and Australia saw strong YoY order growth, while China was soft. Interface is investing in customer-facing activities and innovation to drive growth while managing costs and improving margins. The company has updated its full-year 2023 guidance with net sales growth of 0% to 3% and adjusted gross profit margin of 33.0% to 34.0%.
Teknion plans to open its first manufacturing facility for office furniture in India in 2024, primarily to support the local market. However, the company may consider exporting to APAC and Europe in the future. Teknion has seen growth in social and collaborative pieces of furniture, and despite the pandemic, has reported growth in demand for office furniture. The Indian market is the third largest in the world, and Teknion sees unbelievable growth potential in the country.
Gensler's Middle East Workplace Survey 2023 found that people spend most of their time working together, but also value the office as a place to focus on work. There isn't a "one-size-fits-all" solution for attracting talent back to the office, as different generations have different needs and preferences. Providing a mix of experiences, including focus spaces, informal and formal collaborative spaces, and dedicated social spaces, can lead to a highly effective workplace and a great workplace experience. Additionally, companies in neighborhoods with more amenities and services tend to have more effective and experiential workplaces.
A study by Avison Young found that up to one in three office buildings in 14 major North American markets could be converted to residential use. The company identified two criteria for suitable candidates: buildings erected before 1990 and those with floorplates of less than 15,000 square feet. Owners of older buildings are encouraged to rethink their asset strategy and explore options, but must also consider specific building feasibility, costs, location, and surrounding amenities. However, challenges such as local rules, structural columns, and access to fresh air and sunlight must also be addressed. If these challenges can be overcome, the effect could be to help restore the vitality of neighborhoods and downtowns after Covid.
According to Colliers data, Manhattan's office market saw leasing velocity fall in April, with a nearly 44% decrease in office leases signed compared to a year ago. The availability rate jumped again in April and is now at 17.4%, equal to the record high hit in February 2022, with a net of 1.35M SF of office space vacated. The weak month comes after a particularly rocky time for the city’s leasing market, with the widespread adoption of hybrid working arrangements, economic uncertainty, and an ongoing banking crisis discouraging tenants from leasing space at a rapid clip.
Kilroy Realty CEO John Kilroy Jr. anticipates a "quantum jump" in people returning to work in the next three months, citing an increase in physical occupancy in San Francisco following return-to-office announcements from major tech employers. Kilroy Realty's Q1 earnings were the highest in the company's history, but the stock is down more than 20% year-to-date. Nationally, average office usage grew to nearly 50%, but slightly lower in San Francisco and Los Angeles where Kilroy has the majority of its properties.
Herman Miller CEO Andi Owen's recent tone-deaf rant serves as a cautionary tale for CEOs and executives. During a Zoom call, Owen dismissed employee concerns about their missing bonuses and delivered a sermon on focusing on what they can control. Her lack of empathy and self-awareness highlights the importance of compassion in effective management, especially during times of crisis. The incident is reminiscent of similar instances with Travis Kalanick of Uber and John Schnatter of Papa John's.
The tone in which CEOs deliver messages can be scrutinized in today's social media environment. Andi Owen, CEO of MillerKnoll, went viral for scolding her employees during an online video meeting. While her message was fine, the tone and phrasing were not. She could have delivered her message in a calm and empathetic tone, acknowledging the importance of bonus payments to employees. The incident shows the importance of being mindful of what you say and how you say it as a leader, as it can impact future communications and how you're perceived by employees.

Features

The built environment has changed since COVID started. Touchless entrances, hybrid work options, and consolidated offices are at the top of client wish lists. But we must also adapt the built environment to the changes in people over the last 3.5 years. That includes all the alternate workspaces people use.

The workplace has changed, and so has the worker. Studies show that many of us, especially those just entering the workforce, have become more introverted. When designing spaces to support new ways of working, it’s crucial that we take those changes into account.

People need the right tools and technology to get the job done, and the ability to interact and collaborate with colleagues. Designing spaces that draw people in, that give them what they want and need from a workspace, makes people the amenity that unites workplace and company culture.

Workplace design was focused on open-plan, collaborative spaces before 2020. Now, we’re seeing a big uptick in the variety of spaces we’re designing, including an increased number of private offices. People want more places for heads-down, private work.

Organizations need to be more intentional about creating connections and encouraging social interaction in alternate workspaces. One idea is having a person to foster that sense of community.

Daylighting, space, and color are crucial in designing a healthy workplace. Bringing additional volume and height into social spaces helps uplift people and encourages kinder and more productive interactions.

A well-designed workplace will allow all different types of people to feel comfortable and productive. The role of the architect is to provide a variety for all work styles that allows people to find a space where they feel comfortable.

Through simple yet effective strategies such as attention to light, volume, and color, we can help establish a healthier, happier, and stronger workforce.

Workspace News

Monday.com's makers team has created a "Do Not Disturb" gadget with a red light and timer to signal to other employees when someone is in the middle of deep work. The gadget is being used among the team for now, but the team hopes to see it used in the company's New York City office. The team is also working on an anonymous "husher" for the Tel Aviv office. The makers team evaluates if the value of the potential product justifies the cost involved during the ideation phase. The team consults with other teams such as security, IT, legal, and design to ensure that the product is aligned with the company's standards.
A new report by Slack suggests that many companies are missing opportunities to improve employee productivity through new technology, hybrid working, and talent development. The report found that only 23% of companies invest in technology to improve productivity, and just 27% use AI tools to help do so. The report also highlights the importance of job satisfaction, engagement, and mental wellness in driving productivity, and suggests that managers need to be equipped with people development skills, tools to drive efficiency, and team wellness support to create a healthy and productive environment.
To create a competitive advantage in the future of work, companies need to take a holistic approach that considers the needs of employees in terms of culture, workplace design, and purpose. A positive culture is built intentionally and authentically, while a sense of place is fostered well beyond the built environment. A purpose-driven company is a relevant company that aligns its external brand message with its internal employer brand. To achieve this, HR, Real Estate, and Brand functions must come together around people, place, and purpose.

Design

Logitech's Project Ghost is a video-conferencing booth that the company first unveiled in January. It aims to make video calls more intimate by promoting visual cues like eye contact and body language. Unlike Google's 3D-mapping laser projector, Project Ghost leverages existing technologies, like Logitech's own Rally system and Tap hub, and encapsulates them with furniture designed by Steelcase. The illusion of talking face-to-face is achieved by an old-school camera trick: Pepper's Ghost. With a strategic assembly of mirrors, an image appears as if it's three-dimensional. Project Ghost is pitched to offices and other shared workspaces as a modular, easy-to-use, video-conferencing booth that can be assembled within two hours. In the future, customers will also be able to pick and choose the materials, pieces of furniture, and sizes to suit their needs. The idea has also been pitched for medical use, simulating the coziness and intimacy of an in-person consultation. Project Ghost is not a direct replacement for the webcam that you're already using at home. Instead, Logitech sees this idea as being valued by professionals, office managers, and users who want a better, more immersive communication platform -- and are willing to pay for it. The first units will be available in the Fall of this year for under $20,000.
Architecture has the power to shape human relationships and emotional well-being. Designers can create healthier workplaces through simple strategies such as maximizing daylight, creating volume, and using neutral colors. A well-designed workplace should allow all different types of people to feel comfortable and productive. The role of the architect is to provide a variety of spaces that allows people to find a space where they feel comfortable, which in turn supports employee happiness and mental well-being.
The pandemic hit the hospitality industry hard, forcing hotels to adopt technology to stay afloat. Some of these changes, like touchless technology and personalized guest experiences, have become permanent and profitable. Now the commercial office sector is learning from these adaptations. Offices are looking to eliminate the need to check in with a person and are adopting contactless payments and immersive technologies. Robots can increase office safety and help keep the office clean while lowering labor costs. Artificial intelligence can personalize the entire guest experience and improve hospitality services. These tech innovations are reshaping the hospitality space and will likely have a similar effect in the commercial real estate space.

Trends

Architect Jeanne Gang, founder of Studio Gang, emphasizes the importance of reusing existing buildings and increasing the sustainability of concrete in the built environment to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Accords. She also highlights the emotional side of climate change and the potential of biomaterials such as wood, while noting the need to be critical about their production and extraction. Gang's recent projects, including the Gilder Center and the Little Rock Museum of Fine Art, feature organic-like additions to historical collections of buildings. She has a number of projects in the works, including the United States' "first carbon-positive hotel" in Denver.
Companies occupying physical office spaces since the pandemic began have made changes to their spaces or moved out of the city entirely. Gensler, the design firm behind United Airlines and Uber's office spaces, suggests creating a diversity of space to suit a company's culture. While eliminating traditional office space entirely, like Expensify, might not be feasible for some companies, they still need to be intentional about what the physical office space now means and what type of work is best suited there.

Latest Products

Chemetal has introduced Transparency, a new line of laser cut metal designs on thicker aluminum panels, featuring 9 new designs on 8 colors plus an optional frame system. The panels are powder-coated with an interior/exterior grade powder coat and are part of the mindful MATERIALS library, contributing to LEED in several areas. Transparency is the newest addition to Chemetal’s Surface Mode, which focuses on creating CNC cut patterns on thicker aluminum. 
Ultrafabrics has added 38 new colors to its Uf Select collection, bringing the total to 89 colors for the US market and 64 for the UK/Europe. The new colors are inspired by famous painters and have been added to the Montage and Impasto collections, which are made in North America for quick shipping and to reduce the brand's transportation footprint. Ultrafabrics is known for its expertise in color and offers a curated selection for two-day quick ship.
KFI Studios has launched the Avalon chaise lounge, designed by Union Design, which offers a relaxing way to work in today's flexible workplaces. The lounge is ergonomically sculpted with a split seat and back for compact and sustainable shipping. Optional accessories include a height-adjustable swivel table and privacy screen, both available in nine 3D knit colors made from recycled plastic bottles. The accessory tables and coat hook come in two laminate colors, and a black frame complements any style.

Tranquil's latest design, "The Waves," draws inspiration from the natural world.
Tranquil's ECOCORE Baffles feature a wave pattern inspired by nature, providing acoustic baffling with an NRC up to 0.70 and an ornamental touch to spaces. The baffles can cover a wide or small area and are suitable for both large and small spaces. Tranquil products are eco-friendly and inspired by nature, including elements like water, wind, earth, fire, and geometric patterns. Acoustic comfort in workplaces is crucial for boosting employee wellness and enhancing productivity and performance.
Nakabayashi, a Japanese stationery company, has created Lifestyle File organizers made of sturdy paperboard to store odds and ends on desks without drawers. Sized like binders in A4 and B5 sizes, they're essentially little desktop lockers. Nakabayashi also makes a File Box M version that can live on your desktop without taking up the space of a binder and a flip-open, flip-out File Pen Stand. Wholesale prices range from $20 to $40 for 12 units.
Quobus is a modular storage/display unit designed by Marc Newson, consisting of enameled steel cubes in three sizes and five colors. The cubes are pinned together with brass screws to form larger units, sold in various configurations and sizes. The unit offers a storage solution for books and creates distinct environments for display objects within each cube. It was designed to counteract sagging, ineffective bookshelves while creating something sculptural. The units are sold by Galerie kreo for over €50,000.
The MC9 Uncino barstool, designed by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec and produced by Mattiazzi, features captivating design details that emerge upon closer inspection. The seat tapers and has been notched and drilled to capture metal rods, while the rear half of the seat has been milled to echo the cylindrical form of the rod. The chair's construction combines traditional craftsmanship with a multi-axis CNC mill.
Italian industrial designer Alessandro Stabile has created the "Brezza" upholstered armchair for S-CAB, which is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The armchair is a sustainably conceived hybrid that combines comfort and soft shapes with practicality, and is easy to disassemble for circular design. The frame is composed of powder-coated steel tubes and plates, and the cushions are generous and very comfortable. The armchair is designed to be sustainable through and through, with recycled yarn used for the choice of fabrics. The frames can also be stacked for shipping without padding, which saves space and lowers the carbon footprint.
French designer Pierre Charpin created the PC Lamp Series for Hay, which includes cordless and corded table lamps, a linear pendant, and a double arm lamp with clamp, base, or insert mounts. The lamps are made from scratch-resistant ABS or aluminum and are available for purchase in the US and the Netherlands.

Other News

Bringing dogs to work can save employees money on dog walkers and daycare, according to a study by mobile dog grooming service Barkbus. On average, employees could save $138 weekly, or over $7,000 annually, if their employers allow them to take their pet to work. The same report found that 86% of employees would look forward to working in the office more if they could bring their pets to work daily. Companies like Amazon, Ben & Jerry’s, Etsy, Glassdoor, Google and ClickUp all now welcome dogs in the office, and searches for workplace pet policy templates were up 400% in the last year.

Technology

The rise of AI-powered interior design apps is underway, with platforms like Reimagine Home, CollovGPT, and RoomGPT gaining popularity. These apps have attracted millions of users, including real estate agents and furniture retailers seeking to virtually stage listings and insert products into AI-generated images. Interior designers are also using these sites to quickly create mockups and engage with potential clients. While most platforms offer free mock-ups and charge a subscription fee, the potential for investment from venture capitalists is high, with the promise of an AI-powered "killer app" that could empower the common person and create a huge monetizable market.

Coworking

WeWork is considering a reverse stock split to avoid being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange. The coworking company received a warning in April that its stock had traded below $1 for more than 30 days, giving it six months to raise the price of its stock. WeWork is also exploring a new model that would bring the "shared economy" to office space, according to CEO Sandeep Mathrani.
WeWork's investment division, WeWork Capital Advisors, is selling assets and defaulting on loans, despite being launched in 2019 as a $2.9B office investment giant with $1B of equity from a major pension fund. The division's issues are secondary to WeWork's fight to make a profit and stave off a cash crunch, but it highlights another example of a grand plan in the WeWork empire going awry. WeWork declined to comment on the future of its fund management business, whether asset sales were a sign of it being wound down or whether it would look to raise new capital.

Vintage Advertising from the Archives

The famous architect George Nelson is the designer of the "Modular Combination". It allows countless and always matching combinations. Putting together and adding on becomes a pleasure. It is manufactured by Herman Miller AG for the upholstered furniture of the room shown here, located at Aeschenvorstadt 6, Basel. The sturdy LANGENTHAL furniture fabrics are used, with ATLANTA being known for good quality and made from leading upholstery fabric weavers of Langenthal AG. These fabrics are exclusively processed by leading upholstered furniture manufacturers in Switzerland and abroad.

Trends in Commercial Projects from Around the Globe

20 Bruckner, a former ice factory and warehouse in the South Bronx, has been transformed into a public school by architect David Adjaye for the Dream Charter School. The school features barrel-vaulted ceilings, exposed bricks and steel beams, and large windows that bring daylight into the nearly 200,000-square-foot space. The building's redesign cost about $50 million, which was all raised by Dream, and is intended to upend public education in its target neighborhoods while also rewriting the often bleak playbook of public school design.
Studio Sutton has turned a shopping arcade in the Mailbox building in Birmingham into a communal co-working space, while former shops on either side have been repurposed into individual meeting rooms. The back spaces, where bigger shops once lived, are now flexible, rentable office spaces. The project provides an intriguing blueprint for buildings in flux and preserves most of the interior configuration and repurposes only what must be repurposed.

Upcoming Industry Events

NeoCon 2023
June  12-14, 2023 | 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 2023
May 23-25, 2023 | 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.

Seen on 1stDIBS

George Nelson for Herman Miller Home Office Desk ca' 1940's

George Nelson for Herman Miller desk model # 4658, in walnut, steel and leather, ca' late 1940's. A Classic Postwar modernist desk made of walnut with steel legs and its original brown leather writing surface, showing a beautiful patina. The desk includes a floating top unit featuring two sliding doors with small interior drawers and shelves. A desktop leather pull on the left reveals more storage including small drawers in maple. It also sports a perforated aluminum file drawer on the right. Remarkable and all original, unrestored, one owner.

Creator: George Nelson (Designer)
Dimensions: Height: 40.5 in (102.87 cm)
Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)
Depth: 28 in (71.12 cm)
Style: Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques: Leather,Steel,Walnut
Place of Origin: United States
Period: 1940-1949
Date of Manufacture: 1940s
Seller Location: St.Petersburg, FL

Industry Briefing

Tangram Announces Luis Carmona’s Promotion to VP of Operations + Jack Hooven’s Retirement
Tangram, a Southern California-based company specializing in commercial interiors, has announced the retirement of COO Jack Hooven and the promotion of Luis Carmona to Vice President of Operations. Carmona will be responsible for coordinating operations in California and Texas, as well as implementing a standardized process for supporting the sales staff. Tangram offers a range of services for commercial interiors, including planning, design, and installation.

IIDA Announces Maya Bird-Murphy as the Recipient of the 2023 Anna Hernandez/Luna Textiles Visionary Award
Maya Bird-Murphy, Founder and Executive Director of Mobile Makers, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Anna Hernandez/Luna Textiles Visionary Award by the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). The award recognizes women entrepreneurs and industry leaders in the commercial interior design field. Bird-Murphy's non-profit organization, Mobile Makers, advocates for education and diversity in the design industry by conducting workshops in Chicago and Boston. She will be honored at the 2023 IIDA Annual Meeting in Chicago and receive $5,000 from the IIDA Foundation.

//3877 Debuts New D.C. Headquarters and a Reimagined Website
Architecture and design firm //3877 has relocated its headquarters to a custom-built office in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. The new space features conference rooms, a library, and a large kitchen, all designed to encourage collaboration and communication among the team. The firm has also launched a redesigned website to showcase its portfolio and service offerings. The move and website update mark a new chapter in the firm's evolution as it continues to expand and take on new projects.

HON Announces Top Sales Distinction Awards to Industry-leading Dealer Partners

The HON Company has recognized seven industry-leading dealer partners in their annual HON Team Up awards ceremony for providing HON product solutions with a commitment to serve communities and make spaces work. The awards program was hosted in Dublin, Ireland, and celebrates shared success and exceptional commitment to the HON brand.

HON recognized the efforts Dealer partners put forth to achieve these awards, and congratulate the following winners:

  • 2022 HON Category Leader Award: Congratulations to W.B. MASON
  • 2022 HON New Product Champion Award: Congratulations to LONE STAR FURNISHINGS
  • 2022 HON Education Excellence Award: Congratulations to FREEDOM INTERIORS 
  • 2022 HON Sales and Marketing Excellence Award: Congratulations to STOREY KENWORTHY
  • 2022 HON Standing Ovation Award: Congratulations to M80 SYSTEMS
  • 2022 HON Superior Sales Award: Congratulations to HENRICKSEN & COMPANY
  • 2022 HON President’s Award: Congratulations to HITOUCH BUSINESS SERVICES

The 2023-Q1 Market Outlook Report is now Available

The Solomon Coyle 2023-Q1 Market Outlook Report is available. Distributors have improved bookings and expect continued growth. All regions show positive pipeline growth, but billings are slowing.

The managing principal notes that distributors are agile and adapt to challenging environments by innovating in segments of opportunity. Meanwhile, a consultant is keeping an eye on billings and backlog, hoping for improvement in supply chains and construction delays to increase billings and reduce backlogs.

Key findings of the report include:

Dealer bookings have recovered from 2022-Q4's contraction.
  • Dealers expect growth in bookings in Q2 and Q3 of 2023.
  • All geographic regions show positive pipeline growth.
  • Pipeline activity is strongest in healthcare, education, and government.
  • Billings are slightly down due to softer than anticipated bookings and construction delays.

Distributors who complete the quarterly survey receive a full report with regional and subregional information. Visit www.solomoncoyle.com/dealer-market-outlook-report/ to view the current report.

Carnegie Fabrics Expands Complimentary Design Support Services
Carnegie is a leading manufacturer of sustainable commercial textiles and acoustical management solutions. Founded on the principle that great design goes deeper than aesthetics, the company has championed responsible innovation for over 70 years, developing alternatives to PVC, like its revolutionary Xorel® brand fabrics. As the nation’s only B-Corp-certified textile manufacturer and forever PVC-free company, Carnegie leads the industry with an authentic commitment to the environment and responsible governance to effect positive change through advocacy, education, and service.

BOS Roselle, IL Cleans up Nature Trail for Earth Week
BOS, a Haworth Office Furniture Dealership, cleaned up a nature trail surrounding a pond near their headquarters as part of Earth Week. The path is used by BOS staff and community members for mental and physical wellness. BOS is committed to continuing cleanup efforts and promotes sustainability through recycling programs and selling decommissioned furniture to small and mid-sized companies.

MMQB Help Wanted Ads

Find the best Contract Furniture Industry jobs and hire the best talent.
Dear Stephen, I'm a Senior Operations Executive in my late fifties. Most recently, I was running a dealership, but previously, I was a senior leader at a major manufacturer. I've had a great career, but recently I lost my job. It was a mutual dissolution, so I'm all right for now.
The Regional Sales Manager will be responsible for the sales and sales growth of The Senator Groups products in the region of the country outlined. The Regional Sales Manager works to ensure profitable growth in sales, revenue through planning, execution, and management of the independent sales organization they lead.
Build and maintain client relationships. Track and record metrics throughout sale process. Meet and exceed financial goals.
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.
BiSemA Corporation and BiSemA USA LLC seek ambitious independent sales executives from Chicago. Self-managing, highly motivated, has extensive experience in the office furniture industry and can work remotely. 

Industry Leading Partners + MMQB
 
Times are changing and navigating the uncertainty of business isn’t for the meek. AIS is here to help you every single day.
 
At Allsteel, we design furnishings and architectural products for a wide range of environments. But our “why” is about something much deeper. It’s about connection, learning, shaping an experience, and enabling companies and employees to become the best versions of themselves. It’s about blending what’s pragmatic with what’s possible—for better comfort, productivity, efficiency, and collaboration. 
 
Colecraft
Colecraft Commercial Furnishings has been creating and building one-of-a-kind commercial furniture and architectural casework solutions since 2003.
 
Dauphin is a leading provider of consultative seating solutions for corporate, education, hospitality and healthcare markets.
 
Donati is dedicated to manufacturing for the world’s best furniture brands.
We enable our industry clients to develop and distribute outstanding product in terms of innovation, quality and sustainability.
 
We manufacture authentic and unique furniture solutions. We have product, but most importantly, we build your creative ideas.
 
Groupe Lacasse is a North American leader in the design, manufacture and service of a broad range of high-quality furniture solutions for all types of business and institutional environments. Headquartered in Saint-Pie, Québec, Canada, the company employs over 561 members.
 
We offer a broad range of design-forward, ergonomic solutions for the contract office market. Our lines celebrate thoughts and ideas, coming together to push the limits under the name of HAT Collective.
 
Since 1888, Inscape has been designing products and services that are focused on the future, so businesses can adapt and evolve without investing in their workspaces all over again.
 
Landscape Forms is the industry leader in integrated solutions of high-design site furniture, advanced LED lighting, structure, and custom environments.
 
Linear movement might be the simplest movement in the world. And yet, perfecting simple is the hardest of challenges. Our solutions move people – their work and their lives. We Improve Your Life!
 
LOGICDATA embodies a sophisticated, holistic philosophy that meets the needs of partners and users through customized, made-to-measure inline adjustable solutions. Our “One-Stop-Shop”, is a modern, ambitious product range that includes lifting frames, lifting columns, and lifting components for adjustable desks, in addition to adjustable bases and so much more.
 
Our mission at Logiflex is to be a leader in North America in the design, manufacturing and marketing of office furniture and to stand out thanks to the quality of our products and our flexible and innovative services. Logiflex produces high-quality modular and flexible products at competitive prices. Our product line adapts to customer expansions, protecting your initial investments.
 
NeoCon has served as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial interior design industry since 1969.
 
At Office Star Products, we measure success by each relationship our business builds. Together, we make lifelong industry friends through respect, trust, loyalty and a handshake. We think these values are essential to expanding our customer base and growing meaningful product lines.
 
For more than 20 years, Special-T has delivered Grade A tables at Grade C prices, thanks to a fierce commitment to innovation in technology, and a “whatever it takes” approach to customer service.
 
We’re passionate about creating valuable connections. We believe in the aesthetic power of experiential graphics and signage to connect with your client’s space and the people that move through it. Our products and services empower you to bring your clients beautiful signage and graphic solutions through a process that’s efficient and profitable.   
 
Tektus was conceived as an envisioning company and is made up of an agile team of talented designers and marketers assembled to meet specific customer digital marketing challenges.  Our visualization capabilities enable us to support real estate reduction strategies by augmenting your customer experience via elegantly crafted digital showrooms and mockup spaces.
 
Office chairs that feel as good as they look.
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