Fast Company magazine today named Herman Miller, Inc. to its "Fast 50" list of the world's most innovative companies. Herman Miller ranked 26th this year and was the only representative of the contract furniture industry.
"Innovation through problem-solving design has been a hallmark of our company and remains central both to our strategy and our culture. Fast Company's recognition is a testimony to the great work produced by our people and our innovation network--and we have still more exciting developments in our future," said Brian Walker, President and CEO of Herman Miller.
The "Fast 50," announced in the March 2008 issue of Fast Company, highlights how innovation can drive economic growth. From green consumer-products phenomenon Method to 100-year-old Corning, which spends $2 million each workday on R&D, the list celebrates companies that are redefining the rules of business through new ideas. Other notable companies on Fast Company's "Fast 50" include Google, Facebook, GE, Nike, and Nokia. Twelve of the 50 firms are based outside the U.S. Fifteen of the 50 are based in and around Silicon Valley.
In naming Herman Miller to the list, the magazine cited Convia, the company's new subsidiary and eponymous electrical infrastructure system that enables programmable interiors, with resulting dramatic energy savings for buildings. Also noted was C2, a new desktop climate control device that both warms and cools the user and is part of Herman Miller's new Be Collection of personal accessories.
Last October, Fast Company set out to identify and rank the world's most innovative companies. The magazine deployed dozens of reporters around the globe to gather data and interview experts and business leaders in every industry to get their nominations. The final 50 were selected from a list of 300 finalist companies. The magazine placed a high premium on companies that had demonstrated significant innovation over the past year. Actual rankings were determined by vote by a panel of editors and writers.
The complete list and related stories appear in the March 2008 issue of Fast Company magazine (available on newsstands February 19 - March 25). Expanded profiles can be found on their website, where users can also nominate their own Fast 50 Reader Favorite. Additionally, a related segment featuring Herman Miller appeared on CNBC and can be viewed by clicking on this link.
About Herman Miller
The designs and services of Herman Miller enhance the performance of human habitats worldwide, making customers' lives more productive, rewarding, delightful, and meaningful. The company's award-winning products, complemented by furniture management and strategic consulting services, generated over $1.9 billion in revenue during fiscal 2007. Widely recognized both for its innovative products and business practices, Herman Miller is a recipient of the prestigious National Design Award for product design from the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, and in 2007 the company was once again cited by FORTUNE magazine as the "Most Admired" company in its industry and included among CRO magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." In 2008 Herman Miller was named among the "100 Best Places to Work For" in America by FORTUNE and the Great Places to Work Institute. The company trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MLHR.
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