The city where people aren’t going back to offices / The Brain-Body Investment Survey: What 500 Subscribers Are Spending to Boost Their Performance / The city where people aren’t going back to offices / Dallas-Based WRG Acquires Houston-Based OP / Architecture firm billings remain flat / Carnegie Acquires Xorel Artform Manufacturing Arm of DFB Sales / Arper Announces its Move to Fulton Market / Coworking Beats Office Leasing as a More Affordable Option in Many Cities / AI Investment Is Giving Tech Office Markets A Boost / Silicon Valley Office Absorption at All-Time Low, Subleasing Surges / One-Third of Global Offices are Empty All Week / and much more…


The Working Space
Monday, August 28, 2023

Industry News

Arper Announces its Move to Fulton Market
The exidous continues from TheMART. Italian Design brand Arper has signed a lease for its new location in Chicago's Fulton Market district, which marks an important milestone for the company and its efforts in the U.S.
 
The CEO of Arper Americas, Amy Storek, explains that the new location will give a "broader audience acess to the brand's beautiful designs and a modern environment that showcases how Arper supports healthy and balanced living."
 
Set to open in the last quarter of 2023, the new design center will serve as a hub for clients and industry professionals to experience Arper's furniture solutions in a unique and immersive way. The new location embodies Arper's strategic approach to "The Project of Living," which focuses on the relationships between people and space. Visitors will be able to directly experience how Arper’s products integrate into the rhythm of daily life, defining a new standard for brand engagement.

Dallas-Based WRG Acquires Houston-Based OP

WRG, a family-owned business based in Dallas/Fort Worth, has acquired OP, a Houston-based commercial furniture company. This strategic partnership is a significant milestone for both companies and will bring about growth and new offerings in their respective markets. The acquisition makes WRG the largest MillerKnoll dealership in Texas.

Adam Bauer, Principal of WRG, will become the new President of OP. “This is a unique opportunity for two companies with similar missions to come together. We are poised to create a future that preserves our values and propels us toward endless success in Houston,” stated Bauer.

WRG has been known for excellence in the Dallas commercial and architectural spaces for over 35 years, while OP has been a respected player in the Houston market for decades. The acquisition will generate opportunities for innovation, expanded services, and enhanced customer experiences, the company said.

As part of the acquisition, both companies will retain their brand identities and customers can expect the same level of service they have come to rely on. All aspects of business will remain unchanged.

Carnegie Acquires Xorel Artform Manufacturing Arm of DFB Sales

Carnegie has acquired the Xorel Artform manufacturing division of DFB Sales, Inc., which will be manufactured in-house. The acquisition will give Carnegie end-to-end control of Xorel Artform from design to distribution and will result in a streamlined and optimized supply chain. The control over production will simplify the design-to-manufacture process and increase overall production volume. This acquisition underscores Carnegie's continued commitment to developing innovative, high-performing, and environmentally responsible products.

“Carnegie continues to build on its success in sustainable, high-performance acoustic solutions and growing our footprint in this important arena” said Gordon Boggis, CEO of Carnegie. “This acquisition demonstrates our continued commitment to being a market-driven organization, continuously investing in improvements for our processes and products, and serving as a trusted partner for designers and specifiers of our acoustic offerings.”

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, a home furnishings manufacturer and retailer, has abruptly closed its doors and laid off employees at its Taylorsville, Hiddenite, and Statesville, NC plants due to the inability to secure critical financing to continue business operations. The company's interim CEO, Chris Moye, posted a letter on the office door notifying employees of the closure and their last day of employment, which is expected to be on October 25, 2023.

ABI July 2023: Architecture firm billings remain flat

The American Institute of Architects (AIA)/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) for July shows steady business conditions with billings at architecture firms remaining flat. The ABI score was 50.0. Firms specialized in commercial/industrial reported growth in billings, while firms specialized in multifamily residential continued to report declining billings. The Midwest region saw growth for the ninth consecutive month, while other regions saw modest declines. The ABI is a monthly survey of AIA member-owned firms that measures demand for design services throughout the US.

Key highlights for July:

Regional averages: Midwest (51.6); West (49.6); Northeast (49.3); South (48.9)
  • Sector index breakdown: commercial/industrial (52.7); institutional (51.2); mixed practice (46.3); multifamily residential (45.4)
  • Project inquiries index: 54.5
  • Design contracts index: 50.0

Architectural services employment continued to grow, with the industry adding 3,600 new positions in the first six months of the year. Large firms were least likely to consider themselves appropriately staffed, with 45% considering themselves understaffed.
Vulcan Value Partners commented on MillerKnoll, Inc. in its second quarter 2023 investor letter, stating that the company faces headwinds from uncertainty around the pace of returning to the office, but has a large backlog and strong pricing within that backlog. MillerKnoll, Inc. has a market capitalization of $1.414 billion and was held by 22 hedge fund portfolios at the end of the second quarter.
Philadelphia's office occupancy rate has been hovering around 40%, making it one of the emptiest office districts in America. While efforts have been made to lure people back into downtown areas, the combination of the office-worker exodus, taxes, and crime has resulted in more empty office space on the market today than during the 2008 recession. Center City District aims to see office occupancy reach at least 75% to ensure downtown's vitality and bring back jobs for workers in restaurants and other businesses that cater to employees in skyscrapers.
According to a report by CoworkingCafe.com, coworking spaces are more affordable than traditional office leases in 96% of the 146 U.S. cities analyzed, with coworking subscriptions costing less than half the price of an office lease in 17 cities. The report also found that coworking memberships offer flexibility, help businesses overcome challenges, and provide spaces for periodic work collaborations. Certain factors, such as cleaning service fees and furnishing costs, were included in the comparison. The demand for workspace flexibility is expected to continue, and companies will remain incentivized to diversify their office assets and be open to more adaptable solutions.
WeWork's potential bankruptcy could be a problem for landlords, who will have to negotiate lower rents or face an empty building in a weak market. This could lead to defaults on bank loans and rising distressed commercial real estate debt. The high vacancy rate in San Francisco is an outlier, but overall vacancy rates in major US markets may presage big problems for landlords and lenders. However, coworking continues to grow globally, with well-run centers experiencing occupancy rates in the 90s.
According to Moody's Analytics, the growth in generative AI investment has led to better leasing activity and limited construction, preventing vacancy rate spikes in the national office market. Emerging tech metros saw office vacancy rates decline by 70 basis points, while established tech metros had flat vacancies. The national average dropped by 20 basis points. However, the reduction in headcount due to AI technology could result in a net loss of office space in the long run.
The Silicon Valley office market is facing an all-time low in net absorption and a surge in subleasing, with sublease vacancies totaling 4.4M SF at the end of H1 2023. Tech companies subletting large blocks of space, such as Google's vacating of offices in Mountain View and Sunnyvale, are driving this expansion. Google continues to downsize its office footprint in Silicon Valley, listing for sublease over 182K SF in a Palo Alto campus it has occupied for almost a decade.
The shift to remote work has resulted in a destabilization of New York City's real estate prices, leading to a change in the profiles of investors seeking returns from it. Family offices are exploiting the current price and surplus of available commercial properties to get their foothold inside what many would consider an iconic asset class. Families and family offices are not restricted by strict contractual requirements, allowing them to be more flexible and strategic in generating a return on investment. This shift of investor interest will impact the future of work as dynamics change.
According to a report by Australian workplace sensor provider XY Sense, more than one-third of desks in offices worldwide are unoccupied all week, indicating an oversupply. Of those that are used, only 14% were occupied for five or more hours and 29% for three hours or less, with office utilization stuck at about 50% of pre-pandemic levels. The shift away from desks has prompted employers to rethink their real estate needs, as more than half expect to reduce their footprints over the next three years.

The dearth of desk usage could also be attributed to the fact that workers and managers both say they should be on site at least one-third of the time, but much of that in-person time is no longer spent tethered to a desk. Spaces for small, private huddles, more open collaboration, and sound-proof enclosures for individual head-down work are all more relevant today compared with old-fashioned cubicles. Companies need to either re-deploy desk space for better workplace experiences or pocket the savings, said Alex Birch, co-founder and CEO of XY Sense.

Features

The article by Bloomberg editor Matthew Boyle explores the changing nature of work and how it has led to a transformation of the office environment. As work has become less of a place and more of a thing, offices have had to evolve to not only house workers but also attract them. The article delves into how office furniture companies are responding to these changing needs by focusing on modular spaces that can quickly adapt depending on the needs of the workers, whether it be for open collaboration or quiet concentration.

Also highlighted is the importance of factors such as acoustics, biophilic design, and catering to the needs of neurodivergent workers. The need for offices to be flexible and to offer a comfortable and welcoming environment has become increasingly important for businesses looking to attract and retain top talent.

It's also noted that while some larger furniture companies have defected from larger events, smaller players are making their mark. Hightower, a family-owned Seattle-based manufacturer, and Andreu World, a Spanish maker of "ancillary" furniture, are two such examples of smaller companies that are making waves in the industry.

The article concludes by noting that companies must be willing to experiment and try new approaches to office design to keep up with the changing nature of work. Businesses that are not willing to adapt may struggle to attract and retain top talent, which could ultimately impact their bottom line. Therefore, the article encourages companies to embrace change and be open to new ideas and approaches when it comes to office design.

Adobe made two bold moves earlier this year. They promised no job cuts in 2023 and opened a new office in San Jose, California for 3,000 employees. Despite a challenging office market and worsening economic conditions, Adobe leaned into their flexible, hybrid work model. The new office building, Founders Tower, is all-electric, and powered by renewable solar power and wind energy. It has over 400 “environments,” which include neighborhoods for individual teams, focus rooms, collaboration zones, drop-in desks, adventure rooms, and community gathering grounds. The building’s lobby doubles as an “experience center” that tells the story of the company through visuals and text and is open to the public. Founders Tower is a workplace representing the future of office space, sustainably built and run, optimized for hybrid, designed for community, adaptable, and resilient to change.
The story behind the color science at Pantone and how it grew to own the color space.

Workspace News

Proper documentation is essential for a successful hybrid work model, yet 68% of companies lack a structured playbook according to a McKinsey survey. Documentation creates a unified vision of work and facilitates communication and transparency. Overcoming cognitive biases like status quo and anchoring biases is crucial. An effective documentation strategy involves pinpointing critical moments, implementing advanced workplace technologies, and updating the guide periodically.
As companies navigate the return to office, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, insights from clients and partners reveal some common threads: most companies are encouraging employees back 2-3 days a week, smaller meeting spaces are in high demand, private spaces are important for focus, and soft, collaborative spaces are valued. The biggest benefits of the office are culture, relationships, and innovation, and amenities that allow for casual collisions are important. Ultimately, the office experience allows for constant learning from colleagues and is instrumental in establishing shared company vision and values.
According to a survey by workplace sensor provider XY Sense, 36% of workpoints equipped with sensors are never occupied, and of those that are used, 29% are occupied for three hours or less on a given day. Conference rooms are the exception, being in use 90% of the time. This extrapolates to an overall office utilization rate of about 50% of pre-pandemic levels. Several industry giants are toughening up their stance on return-to-office policies, with Goldman Sachs reminding employees to work in the office five days a week and Meta Platforms ordering all employees with company cubicles to return to their desks or face termination of their employment.
Goldman Sachs is "cracking down" on employees who are not following their policy of returning to the office five days a week. Despite the mandate going into effect in May 2022, only 65% of employees were back full time six months later. While return-to-office requirements have been rolled out across the country, data shows that it has had a muted effect on in-office occupancy, with in-office traffic hovering around 50% of pre-pandemic levels since the beginning of the year.

Other News

Starting September 1, 2021, stricter rules for furniture manufacturers will go into effect to prevent child injury and death from furniture tip-overs. The STURDY Act requires federal regulators to establish a mandatory rule for the manufacturing, testing, and labeling of clothing storage furniture. Furniture makers must now test their dressers for stability and provide anchoring kits when they are sold, and retailers must sell furniture that meets these requirements. Parents should ask stores or manufacturers about compliance with the new requirements and ensure that dressers come with an anchor kit. The new rules apply only to dressers, not to other furniture that could pose tip-over risks to kids.
Apartment complexes are offering work-from-home spaces as a new amenity for residents. Quintain Living in the UK offers private offices, lounges, booths, conference rooms, and a rooftop terrace with converted camper vans for rent. Sixth and Guadalupe tower in Austin, Texas, offers meeting rooms and phone rooms. Gensler is working on two residential tower projects in Austin with double the coworking space per unit. This amenity is in high demand among residents.

Coworking

WeWork has brought on restructuring experts, including Hilco Global, Alvarez & Marsal, and Kirkland & Ellis, to address its massive debts and avoid public bankruptcy proceedings. The New York Stock Exchange has started the delisting process for WeWork due to "abnormally low" prices, and the company's ability to keep its restructuring out of court will depend on whether it can renegotiate or exit leases in its most expensive markets.

Trends

Designing for Gen Z requires recognizing their values, such as environmental responsibility and inclusion. Ethical and environmental business practices are now expected, requiring designers to adapt to new demands. Workplace design should anticipate future needs and values of employees, providing a flexible platform for growth. Companies must prioritize community, approachability, and growth in design considerations to foster a positive work culture. The workplace of the future must prioritize company values, inclusivity, and collaborative relationship building for in-person connections.

Design

Play in the workplace has been associated with a range of cognitive, social, physical, and emotional benefits, according to neuroscience research. However, playful design in the office has become associated with gimmicks and manipulative tactics to keep employees at work. A playful office does not have to look like a playground, and there are subtle but effective ways to set a lighthearted tone and encourage creative engagement at work. For instance, multi-sensory elements, diverse space types, and furnishings can be used to enliven the space and encourage engagement.

Workplace fun, defined as playful activities that are amusing, pleasurable, or enjoyable, benefits employees’ health and well-being, increases engagement, promotes collaboration, and fosters creativity. There are three ways to leverage play in office design, including using the four dimensions of playfulness to inspire different kinds of play in the office, carving out spaces for activities that blend playfulness, connection, and flow, and letting employees call the shots when it comes to office fun, especially when it encroaches on their work or leisure time. The best kind of play is intrinsically motivated, and employees should be given the freedom to opt-out if they choose.

As hybrid work becomes more common, office design is changing to prioritize flexibility and connectivity-based design. Architects are doing more surveys to find what is fitting for different departments and prioritizing asking companies whether traditional office spaces still make sense. Designers must understand idiosyncratic work cultures and priorities of C-suites when determining solutions. Adaptive reuse projects are also becoming more popular, but require commitment and financial incentives to make them work.

Green / Sustainability

Gensler, the largest design firm in the industry, has developed the Gensler Product Sustainability Standards V1.0 to define minimum sustainability criteria for high-volume, market-ready material categories used in architecture and interior projects. The standards aim to continually improve over time, provide clear and transparent direction to manufacturers, and align with the industry. In version 1.0, the GPS Standards define criteria for 12 product categories that have a substantial sustainability impact and already have sustainability disclosures from manufacturers available in today’s market. The focus on today’s market-ready product categories is important to ensure enough GPS compliant products are available to maintain competitive bidding and avoid barriers for design and construction processes. The criteria were carefully selected to align with sustainable materials disclosures already prevalent in the market and reference aligned initiatives by industry organizations, regulatory standards, and third-party certifications such as Carbon Leadership Forum, REACH, ISO, BIFMA, LEED, BREEAM, and Living Building Challenge among others.

Technology

Cisco Systems is promoting a new approach to smart building technology to serve the age of hybrid work and whatever comes next. The company is providing both products and services to clients, whether working with the customer directly or sitting down at the design table with architects. The technological foundation enables a building to be updated with the addition of layers of software, allowing for a continuous loop of optimization and evolution of the workspace. Cisco is seeing the office-using community respond to its new approach to hybridizing the workplace, with the company having walked hundreds of customers through its New York City office/showcase.

Latest Products

Unika Vaev, provider of textile and acoustic solutions for businesses, announces the Latest Acoustic Product Collection by Abstracta. The collection includes Moon, a globe-shaped lamp that provides quality lighting while absorbing ambient noise. It comes in four colors with or without lighting. Wall of Art is another product in the collection. It combines sound absorption with art, adding personality to spaces. Printed on cotton fabric, Wall of Art has 13 motifs that effectively absorb sound. Sustainability is key to both Unika Vaev’s Contract Textile and Decorative Acoustic product lines, which have been available since 1975.

Indiana Furniture is now taking orders for enhancements to their popular Rockstar seating series. These upgrades provide better comfort and customization options, making the chair more versatile.

Rockstar was added to Indiana Furniture's portfolio a few years ago and features a sleek design with ergonomic contours and a variety of options for back height, arm, button, base, control, and caster. Indiana Furniture has taken it a step further by fine-tuning the series for better overall comfort and adding a new back style and arm option.

The series now includes two styles: Rockstar Roadie and Rockstar Headliner. Rockstar Roadie has a slim design with big comfort, while Rockstar Headliner has an ultra-thick design—both are perfect for individual workspaces, meeting rooms, and more.

Other features include a Fixed Cantilever Arm, Button Detailing, Weight-Activated Controls, Contrasting Upholstery Options, and a wide range of Graded-In and Contract Fabric, Vinyl, and Leather Options.

According to Mike Blessinger, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Indiana Furniture, "Rockstar is now synonymous with comfort. These enhancements make it a top choice for task and swivel seating."

Indiana Furniture's products are manufactured in the USA with renewable and recyclable materials, and they are certified by BIFMA, giving you confidence in their construction and durability. Check out their sustainable portfolio on the company's website, bifma.org, mortarr.com, and ecomedes.com.

To learn more about these enhancements and other ways Indiana Furniture is bringing style, function, and ease to office furniture, go to www.IndianaFurniture.com.

OM Seating introduces CE2, a new generation of executive and conference room seating that balances flexibility and style. With a slim profile and classic silhouette, CE2 offers a self-adjusting, body-balance tilt mechanism and is available in a selection of OM's Leather Program or in-stock fabrics. CE2 is part of OM's commitment to outfitting the new workspace with people-first designs and is BIFMA LEVEL 2 and Greenguard GOLD certified.
Flos has released a new Matte White version of the Taccia table lamp, originally designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1962. The lamp's distinctive cup-shaped reflector and base, reminiscent of an ancient column, have made it an iconic symbol of Italian design. Updated with LED technology over the years, the lamp now features a clear plastic bowl reflector and a PMMA cup-shaped diffuser. The new Matte White version enhances the lamp's purity of design and plasticity of shapes, making it ideal for sophisticated environments.
Kirei's new Polygon Cloud is a revolutionary acoustic solution that offers a fresh perspective on what acoustic design can be. Made from Class A Fire Rated 12mm PET felt panels, it is environmentally friendly and can be custom printed with Kirei Ink. The Polygon Cloud is part of the Tessellate Collection and can be installed individually or in clusters to create dynamic shapes and patterns, making a bold statement in any room.
BuzziBurner is a multifunctional product that combines adjustable LED lighting with sound-absorbing qualities, making it ideal for a variety of environments. Its customizable ambiance and plush exterior ensure both lighting and sound quality are not compromised, embodying a comprehensive solution to modern interior design challenges.

Legrand Launches New Outdoor Charging Stations with USB-C and Outdoor Rooftop Box
Legrand has launched new outdoor charging stations with USB-C and an outdoor rooftop box, providing convenient and safe access to power in outdoor spaces. The charging stations offer a combination of standard GFCI power outlets, GFCI and USB-C combo power outlets, and 4-Port USB-A outlets, while the rooftop box provides power access anywhere on a rooftop surface, eliminating the need for extension cords. Both products are designed to seamlessly integrate into outdoor spaces and provide greater flexibility in power distribution.
ErgoQuest, a Michigan-based furniture manufacturer, has created a 650-pound zero-gravity workstation that includes a motorized chair, a steel mast, a multiple-monitor arm, a keyboard-table arm, and a side table. The workstation is adjustable and costs $6,595.
Michael Young's Wired Chair is a modern take on Harry Bertoia's wire Side Chair, crafted from steel wire with a matte finish bent into organic shapes resembling veins of a leaf. The chair comes with three leg options and is produced by French design brand La Manufacture.
CoLab, a new collection of furniture by Pearson Lloyd for Senator, is based on a 24-month research project into the changing dynamics of university campuses and the workplace. The collection offers thoughtful systems that actively encourage collaboration, including a beam system, a touchdown bench system, and a collaboration easel. The furniture prioritizes durability, repair, and reuse to make it suitable for the high wear environment of a university campus or a dynamic workplace.

Trends in Commercial Projects from Around the Globe

Asset management firm Varagon Capital Partners partnered with Spectorgroup to create a headquarters in New York City that aligned with its values. The design concept centered around hospitality, with a promenade along the glass that encircles key programmatic spaces and guides visitors throughout the space. The space blends the welcoming ambiance of a hospitality setting with the functional efficiency required for productive work.
The Design Group created a warm and welcoming office space for Zendesk in Krakow, featuring a Danish city-inspired design that combines public and private areas, collaboration spaces, and an abundance of greenery. The office includes coworking zones, semi-open workshop spaces, a fountain area for larger meetings, and a Garden zone with secluded corners for working in pairs or smaller informal groups. The architects incorporated many elements into this office, such as panelling, geometric patterns, corsets, and luxferes, reminiscent of Art Deco style or Polish architecture from the 1950s and 1960s. The project also stands out for its high-quality natural materials that meet the requirements of WELL and LEED standards.

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

Landscape Forms Appoints Roy Chan to Board of Directors
Roy Chan has been appointed to the Board of Directors at Landscape Forms, bringing over 30 years of industry experience in retail, brand management, and international markets. Chan's expertise in product development and marketing will aid in Landscape Forms' strategic discussions and guide the company towards a bold future. Chan has served in senior-level positions at Kate Spade & Company, The Jones Group, Inc., and Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. and currently serves as President of International, Retail, and E-commerce at Away.

AMQ Announces Hiring of Marisa Boedeker as Newly-Created Regional Sales Manager for East Region
AMQ Solutions has hired Marisa Boedeker as the new Regional Sales Manager for the East Region. Boedeker brings a wealth of industry experience and a proven track record in sales to the role, having previously worked at Material Bank, MillerKnoll, Humanscale, and Office Max. Her appointment is part of AMQ's continuing market growth strategy, which has seen the addition of several new sales management positions to its workforce.

Studio TK Recognized as a Finalist at the 2023 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA)
Studio TK's Pico lounge chair, designed by busk+hertzog, is a finalist in the Office & Accessories category at the 2023 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA). Pico's unique lines and curves offer unobstructed movement and undisturbed comfort, while its structural components provide interior designers with a diverse array of possibilities to craft exceptional and inviting workspaces.

Heller Celebrates the Outstanding Design Achievements of Hlynur Atlason & Atlason Studio
Hlynur Atlason and Atlason Studio have been awarded the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum's National Design Award for Product Design, recognizing their groundbreaking work in consumer products, packaging, and furniture design. Atlason is a rising-star designer at Heller, where he created two unique and sustainable lounge chairs, Limbo and Bluff, that are versatile, comfortable, and modern. The award celebrates Atlason's history of useful, beautiful, and sustainable design and highlights his potential for future innovation.

IIDA NY Chapter Inaugurates President for the 2023-2024 Term
Alexandria Davis has been inaugurated as the President of the International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) for the 2023-2024 term. Davis aims to focus on education, engagement, sustainability, and inclusivity during her term, while also building on the work of past presidents and nurturing the next generation of designers and industry professionals.

Humanscale + Mangrove Work&Stay: A Symbiosis of Design, Ergonomics, and Sustainability
Mangrove Work&Stay is a hotel in Goseong, South Korea, designed for remote creatives. It embraces comfort, functionality, and sustainability in its design philosophy. Humanscale products are used throughout the hotel to provide guests with a comfortable and ergonomic experience. The hotel's surroundings reflect Humanscale's core philosophy of crafting chairs that synchronize effortlessly with the human body. The partnership between Humanscale and Mangrove Work&Stay is a remarkable model for the hospitality industry, showcasing an elevated “work anywhere” lifestyle.

KFI Studios Unveils New Website
KFI Studios has launched a new website with improved navigation, design tools, and augmented reality features to enhance the customer experience. Users can easily access product information, order swatches, and experiment with different finishes and upholstery using the 3D configurator. The website also simplifies the planning and purchasing process with a rep finder tool and contracts available for public sector clients.

Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet & Leather Launches 4th Annual Rug Design Contest for Interior Designers and Architects
Jamie Stern Furniture, Carpet & Leather is holding their 4th Annual Rug Design Contest for interior designers, with a custom wool rug as the grand prize for each of the four regions. Runners-up will receive a mini-rug of their design. Judges include esteemed members of the interior design community, and the deadline for entries is October 1st.

New Supplier Relationship
NDI Office Furniture has announced a new supplier relationship with Independent Suppliers Group (ISG), a progressive office products dealer group with over 800 members across the US and Caribbean. NDI distributes high-quality office furniture and top brands from three warehouses located in Dallas, Birmingham, and Ocala.
Find the best Contract Furniture Industry jobs and hire the best talent.
Dear Stephen, I worked as a sales rep for almost twenty years at a major manufacturer. The company was acquired. I thought I wasn't going to be happy with the merger, so I left. Yes, you guessed it, I worked for #MillerKnoll! I was a top individual contributor and made a great income as a sales rep.
We are currently looking for a Business Development Executive to join our sales team. This position will have new business development responsibilities for San Antonio, TX.
The Senator Group has an immediate career opportunity for a Territory Sales Rep in the Baltimore/Washington DC area.
Our product offering is ideally suited to Rep Groups who have strong A&D relationships with a focus on project sales cycles.

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.

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.
Baresque, a leading supplier of architectural acoustical solutions for the hospitality, contract furniture, public space-site furniture, commercial, education and healthcare markets, is seeking an experienced Project Manager to join our team in Farmers Branch, Texas.
A Sales Associate/Showroom Administrator at Exemplis is responsible for various sales and sales support functions related to the Exemplis Northern California Sales Team as well as managing all aspects of the SitOnIt Seating San Jose showroom.
Join our sales team! If you have a passion for office furniture, design and coaching this opportunity is for you. As our Corporate Trainer, you'll collaborate with our sales team to develop the skills of our distributors through tailored training programs.
Midcity is seeking a lead installer to start from beginning to end.
The Director of Purchasing is responsible for the strategy and success of the Purchasing and Logistics Teams. This position is based out of our corporate distribution center located in Smock, PA with hybrid and remote work options available.
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