Steelcase

West Michigan’s big three getting lots of attention at office furniture show in Chicago

Lindsey Smith — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:19:33 +0000

Grand Rapids-based Steelcase, Holland based-Haworth and Zeeland-based Herman Miller are showing off new lines of chairs, collaborative office spaces, and home offices at the annual show for the office furniture industry show known as NeoCon.

Together, West Michigan’s ‘big three’ sell nearly $6 billion in office furniture a year; making up more than half of all sales in the country. Designers and suppliers from across the state are also involved in this year’s show - MLive.com/The Grand Rapids Press lists them all here.

Industry analyst Mike Dunlap has been going to NeoCon for 34 years. He sees new technologies like smart phones and tablets creeping even further into what would traditionally be considered furniture.

“All of the major manufactures now are beginning to change their thinking to putting technology into the furniture as opposed to putting it on it,” Dunlap said.

Dunlap says Haworth is getting lots of attention for its new product called Bluescape, which he calls “an Ipad on steroids.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4aaRXl38SKk

Former Steelcase Executive and Philanthropist Robert Pew Dies

Steve Carmody — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 03:45:19 +0000

A longtime leader of Grand Rapids furniture maker Steelcase died over the weekend.

Robert Pew died Saturday in Florida. He was 89.

Pew was Steelcase’s chairman of the board for 25 years, from the mid 1970’s until 1999, when he became chairman emeritus.

During Pew’s tenure at the top of Steelcase’s management, the company became one of the world’s largest makers of office furniture.

"Office in pocket" doesn't scare this office furniture company

Lindsey Smith — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Steelcase, the world’s largest office furniture maker is celebrating 100 years in business. But sales of the metal filing cabinets Steelcase is named for are declining; same with traditional cubicles and other large pieces of office furniture. Steelcase is changing its identity.

Steelcase celebrates 100 years of business Friday

Lindsey Smith — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 20:23:35 +0000

Steelcase doesn’t manufacture much office furniture in West Michigan anymore, but it still has about 3,000 employees here. They gathered for the birthday celebration at the Grand Rapids headquarters for cake and a balloon drop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukJ6Zp-v-YQ