BoFooooThe Business of Furniture | September 5, 2018

MergeWorks Helps Define Space in Open Offices

The Business of Furniture

September 5, 2018

HIGHLIGHTS

8 UPFRONT: Poppin’s Evolution From Pens

to Office FurnitureThe company’s growth has come in stages, from an initial focus on desk accessories to a successful expansion into customized products and office furniture.

10How to Avoid Tariffs? Make Your

Furniture in the USATrump is president and his tariffs are taking a bite out of the office furniture industry. By some estimates the tariffs could cost the industry 4 percent of its sales.

26MergeWorks Helps Define Space in

Open OfficesMergeWorks is one of those firms that wants to help provide some structure and noise abatement to increasingly chaotic open offices.

< Wilkhahn’s new AT chair p36

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BoFoooo The Business of FurnitureSeptember 5, 2018

7 |Hutch Industry Cartoon 8 |Upfront 9 |The Stream

COLUMNSStephen Says 20

FINANCIALIndustry Shares/Graphs 18

CALENDAR & MORERegional Industry News 16Upcoming Events 22Marketplace 44

40 PULSE The latest industry happenings

24 PLACES 10 Barrel Brewing Co. Offices – Bend, OR

26 |MergeWorks Helps Define Space in Open OfficesMergeWorks is one of those firms that wants to help provide some structure and noise abatement to increasingly chaotic open offices.

13 |Walker Pens Final Letter to Herman Miller ShareholdersI’m humbled to join the list of Herman Miller leaders, and I’m still awed by the chance I was given to help this great community change and grow.

32 |The Forward-Looking Cycle of DesignNeil Usher, executive consultant for Property, Workplace, Facilities and Change Management, reminds us of this unwavering need to reflect on the defining principles of design in his recent book, “The Elemental Workplace.”

10 | How to Avoid Tariffs? Make Your Furniture in the USATrump is president and his tariffs are taking a bite out of the office furniture industry. By some estimates the tariffs could cost the industry 4 percent of its sales.

36 FIRST LOOKS The latest Product Introductions

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The Business of FurnitureBoFoooo

BoFooooEditor-in-Chief, Bellow Press Rob Kirkbride

Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Publisher, Bellow Press Melissa SkolnickVice President, Content Production, Bellow Press Todd Hardy

Workplace Guru, BoF Stephen ViscusiGuest Columnist, BoF Jeremy Erard

Contributing Writers, BoF:Amanda Schneider, Emily Clingman, Bruce Buursma, John Q. Horn, Jeremy Myerson,

Stef Schwalb, Gary James, Scott Lesizza, Bryce Stuckenschneider, Michael Dunlap, Carolyn Cirillo

Illustrator, BoF Jamie CosleyCopy Editor, BoF Linda OdetteSpecial Thanks To Al Everett

Publishing Headquarters 23403 E Mission Ave, Suite 107 Liberty Lake, Washington 99019 877-BELLOW9 (877-235-5699) Email: info@bellow.press

Include us on your PR distribution list.Send To: news@bellow.pressPlease include high resolution photos along with your release; at least 300 dpi.https://bellow.press/SubmitNews

Business of Furniture and Workplaces magazine are the go-to sources for keeping you informed about every-thing that is happening in the industry. From trends that affect your bottom line, to new products that will help your customers work better, to stories that will help you run a better, more informed company.ROB KIRKBRIDE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Contents Copyright ©2018 Bellow Press Inc.

STANDOUT

The Solve Chair, now with personalization

Design your own color combination at hon.com/solve

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SEATING

Wilkhahn Introduces AT Chair Ɇ Wilkhahn recently announced the introduction of its intuitive AT office chair. Powered by

their patented “free-2-move” system with Trimension — automatic weight adjustment in three dimensions — users simply sit down, adjust the seating height and the chair does the rest. The suspension system maintains the body’s center of gravity.

This chair’s automatic weight adjustment, integrative design and range of models make it ideal for flexible office concepts with hot desking.

The centerpiece of the new office chair range is the patented combination of a self-centering 3-D suspension of the seat and backrest shell with the automatic synchro-adjustment of a classy backrest bearer. The two components interact to prompt fluid, three-dimensional movements in all directions, even if just small shifts in weight are made. This automatic synchro-adjustment capability allows people to choose between setting the weight adjustment to suit personal prefer-ences or doing it fully automatically.

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If customized requirements are important, the counter pressure can be quickly adjusted in 10 increments by turning a knob. The fully automatic option is recommended if several people are using the chair throughout the day. All they need to do is sit down, adjust the height, and they’re done. Their body and the chair will do the rest.

The shape with its fluidly designed transition points between each of the elements lends the chair frame a seamless look from the star base to the swivel-mounted column and the mechanism shell all the way to the backrest bearer and armrests. Similar to layering encountered in modern architecture and design concepts, the seat and backrest shell are suspended as the second layer in the shell structure. The distance between the curve of the seat-backrest shell and the frame ensures movement is possible and gives the chair a lightweight look. All adjustment components are integrated and come in grey with icons to make altering the chair settings easy and intuitive. Combined with the shell structure that envelops it, the moulded seat and backrest shell encour-ages users to benefit from the range of motion in all directions.

The AT range offers interior designers many design options. The frame, armrest and seat/backrest shell are produced in black and white, with the backrest shell also optionally covered in fabric. The star bases are available in black plastic or aluminum with coated or polished surfaces. The upholstery comes in three backrest heights (medium height, high and high with headrest and neck rest). The covers can be chosen from the Wilkhahn fabric and leather collection. The chair has adjustable lumbar support (standard) armrests with hard or soft armrest pads and seat depth extension that can be altered by turning a knob and a new forward seat tilt.

Special models are available with an elevated sitting position for workspaces where people sit and stand to work and counter stool models with adjustable foot rings.

The attractive design looks impressive from the back and side with its fluid lines and precise transition points that lend the chair a seamless look.

SYSTEMS

OFM Introduces Fulcrum Ɇ OFM recently unveiled a new office furniture line in a classic, modern design for workplaces

needing maximum flexibility, whether that’s at home or in a corporate setting. The Fulcrum Laminate Series includes desks, credenzas, hutches and storage units which can be combined in a number of ways to fit any office layout.

“Today’s offices come in all shapes and sizes,” said Blake Zalcberg, president of OFM. “We wanted a solution that would work for everyone, whether they’re in a traditional or an open-office space, a corporate setting or even at home, with lots of room or just a little.”

The laminate furniture comes in cherry, espresso, mahogany and white. The individual furniture pieces include different sizes for re-turns, bridges, modesty panels and above- and below-desk storage that can be put together into

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numerous configurations. There are also optional leg panel inserts for either an open or closed look to fit any style.

The modular components allow for flexibility while having a consistent thread that ties all of the design elements together. The desks come in three sizes — 60, 66 and 72 inches.

“The Fulcrum Laminate Series allows you to put together the furniture you need to fit your space, rather than forcing you to build your workspace around your furniture options,” Zalcberg said. “That can be useful, too, if your office is ever-changing. Whatever you need, this new series can be easily modified.”

DESKING SYSTEMS / TABLES / CARTS

Kimball Introduces KORE Ɇ Kimball is adding mobile work carts to its popular KORE line, which includes a line of tables,

benches and mobile carts.With the addition of the work cart, the

product offering addresses a variety of needs and offers choices to support the different ways people work and interact. Employees expect the workplace to be informal, flexible and healthy, with a balance of privacy and collaboration within the environment to sup-port their changing needs.

The KORE Work Cart, conceived by Swiss architect Daniel Korb, provides privacy plus efficiency while maximizing space. A re-

chargeable battery enables technology integration without being restrained to a single location, while pneumatic height adjustment transfers the work area from sitting to standing simply and without any power requirement. The quick customization and mobility allow for a fluid work-space that can rapidly expand, contract, reconfigure or even relocate at a moment’s notice.

SEATING

Kimball Introduces Wilder Ɇ Wilder is the latest seating collection launched by Kimball.

Designed by David Dahl, it is a collection of lounge, guest and bench solutions that bring warmth and sophistication to waiting places while keeping the rigorous needs of health care facilities in mind. Soft rounded shapes and wood details are combined with the ability to mix upholstery on the seat and back.

Wilder guest chairs and settees provide a stylish solution for smaller footprints. They are built with the same durability and features as the lounge pieces — wall-saver legs, cleanout design and adjustable glides.

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SEATING / ERGONOMICS

Ergo Impact Introduces MassageRite Ɇ Ergo Impact featured its award-winning LeanRite standing desk chair alongside the innova-

tive MassageRite pillow massage accessory at this year’s ErgoExpo.The LeanRite is an office chair for standing-desk users which blends er-

gonomics and orthopedics, allowing health-conscious desk users to com-bat the negative effects of prolonged sitting by shifting between sitting, standing, leaning and perching.

MassageRite is a heated and portable shiatsu massage accessory that at-taches directly to the LeanRite standing chair. It does deep tissue massage sans the expensive appointment or oversized massage chairs, and provides comfort and relief from back pain.

The MassageRite helps decrease blood pressure and heart rate, taking the cardiovascular benefits of this sit-stand chair one step further. Re-search published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medi-cine (2008) noted subjects receiving deep tissue massages experienced a

reduction of blood pressure and lowered heart rates.

DESKS / ERGONOMICS

Victor Technology Enhances Their Market Presence with New Ergonomic Kneeling Desk

Ɇ The number of ergonomic products for the workplace has grown tremendously in the past five years, overwhelming consumers with options. To this group, Victor Technology has introduced a new all-in-one versatile desk solution for modern life and work — the Edge Desk System.

The adjustable kneeling desk removes pressure from the back and keeps users in an upright position. The support helps reduce fatigue, increase productivity and energy and improve posture within seconds.

The kneeling desk comes fully assembled and can be set up in less than 60 seconds. Different from sitting in a standard chair with your knees at a 90-degree angle, the kneeling position helps maintain proper posture and feels more natural and less strenuous. “Sitting does not mean you have to sacrifice your health and comfort,” says John Ringlein, president of Victor Technology.

The ability to adjust the height, angle and tilt of the desk allows it to fit different body types.

The edge of the work is designed to allow consumers to customize their desk with accessories. Added components, such as a water bottle and phone holder, provide optimal space. The desk can be collapsed in a few seconds and transported any-where with the help of the built-in handle or the add-on wheels.