Focus on sustainability continues company's record of industry firsts
Herman Miller will share at NeoCon 2007 a host of unmatched environmental records and accomplishments achieved during the company's most recent fiscal year. The results are a reflection to the company's commitment to sustainability in all areas of its operations, including finding an alternative to PVC (polyvinyl chloride) edgebanding on work surfaces, garnering the most LEED-certified buildings in its industry, and becoming the industry's largest user of renewable energy.
The company's progress toward earth-friendly products and practices is linked to its Perfect Vision initiative, a strategy to achieve a wide range of sustainability targets, including zero waste to landfills and zero hazardous waste generation by the year 2020. To accomplish these goals, the company employs strict criteria for its new product development, manufacturing operations, the design and construction of its facilities, and energy consumption.
PVC-free edgebanding
Leading the notable accomplishments for the year includes the development of an environmentally-friendly, polypropylene edgeband for approximately 65 percent of its work surfaces, as measured by sales volume. Introduced in May, the polypropylene solution replaces the use of PVC, an undesirable material according to the McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) Cradle to Cradle protocol.
"Developing a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to PVC edgebanding was a huge hurdle for us, but it's just another step forward in meeting our ambitions for all of our products," said Scott Charon, program manager, Product Concept and Material Research.
Best of Show/Best of NeoCon 2006 winners achieve MBDC silver
Additionally, My Studio Environments and the Foray chair by Geiger earned the distinguished MBDC Silver certification.
MBDC certification signifies a closed-loop system in which every ingredient is safe and beneficial, either to biodegrade naturally and restore the soil or to be fully recycled into high-quality materials for subsequent product generations.
Director of Environmental Health and Safety Paul Murray believes the MBDC Silver rating is a milestone for any systems product. "PVC is a common material found in electrical cables and wiring--an integral ingredient in virtually all systems installations today. We've managed to find an alternative solution that makes My Studio one of the most sustainable systems on the market."
Both My Studio and Foray chair were developed according to Herman Miller's strict Design for the Environment (DfE) protocol, which emphasizes material chemistry, recycled content, ease of disassembly, and end-of-life recyclability.
My Studio was awarded the coveted Best of Show honor at NeoCon 2006 and Best of NeoCon Gold for furniture systems. The Foray chair received the Best of NeoCon 2006 Silver honor for the ergonomic task seating category.
The industry's largest user of renewable energy
By the year 2020, Herman Miller is committed to using 100 percent green energy for all its power needs. Currently, 27.7 percent of the company's energy comes from renewable sources.
Herman Miller purchases Green-e certified power that is generated in Georgia. It is 50 percent wind power and 50 percent biomass (landfill gas used to generate electricity). Green-e is a national certification organization that audits and approves renewable and green energy sources. It guarantees that power generated is not sold twice and that the power is actually generated into the local electrical grid.
Green-e provides 100 percent of the power of Herman Miller's West Michigan facilities, including its MarketPlace, GreenHouse, MidWest Distribution Center, and Design Yard.
In the LEED, here and abroad
Herman Miller is committed to building or renovating its facilities to a minimum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating. Last fall, the company celebrated the grand opening of its New York National Design Center as the city's first LEED-CI (Commercial Interiors) Gold certified office space. The Atlanta National Design Center also was recently certified LEED-CI Gold.
The company currently has a total of 10 LEED certified buildings and spaces--the most in its industry. Its GreenHouse facility also was a pilot for the U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification process and has been recognized as a Pioneer Building.
Additionally, Herman Miller's new Village Green facility in Chippenham, England, was awarded the UK's prestigious BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) highest certification of "Excellent" and is currently under review for LEED certification, with the potential to become the world's first dual certification facility.
Inaugural sustainability report
Herman Miller also issued its first corporate sustainability report tracking the company's progress toward meeting key economic, social, and environmental objectives.
The report, entitled "The Journey Toward Sustainability," is based on the company's 2006 fiscal year and focuses primarily on its North American operations. Information about its international operations will be included in future reports.
Awards and recognition
Herman Miller is not in business to win awards, but its environmental efforts continue to receive special recognition. For instance, the Design Yard facility joins its West Michigan manufacturing sites, as well as the Midwest Distribution Center, in ISO 14001 certification. The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) specifies the actual requirements for an environmental management system and may be applied to an organization that wishes to implement, maintain, and improve an environmental management system and ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Additionally, all of Herman Miller's West Michigan manufacturing sites are now considered Clean Corporate Citizens by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The C3 program rewards Michigan firms that consistently demonstrate environmental stewardship and pollution prevention.
The company has six manufacturing facilities in the West Michigan area, five of which received the Clean Corporate Citizen (C3) Award this year. Herman Miller's GreenHouse facility, located in Holland, Mich., received the award in 2005.
Herman Miller also was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its WasteWise award. The company earned recognition from the EPA for its commitment to build or renovate its facilities--leased or owned--to meet at least a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification.
Once again, Herman Miller was the only contract furniture manufacturer to be selected for inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, The company repeated its perennial recognition as the "Most Admired" company in its industry in FORTUNE magazine's annual survey of corporate reputations, leading in scoring for "social responsibility," among other attributes. Finally, the company was again recognized among the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" as compiled by CRO/Business Ethics magazine.
A bright future
Herman Miller is poised to achieve its sustainability goals for the upcoming year. The company is tirelessly evaluating its new and existing products to determine the safest and most environmentally friendly materials, its manufacturing operations are frequently seeking efficiency in its processes, and more LEED certified spaces are currently under construction.
"Since introducing the Perfect Vision initiative in 2004, we've made significant strides toward our sustainability goals," said President and CEO Brian Walker. "There is a reason why Herman Miller is continually recognized as a leader in environmentally responsible product design and manufacturing--our employees. Our dedication to sustainability and creating a better community fuels our passion and our progress. Together we're achieving results that are both good for the planet and good for our business."
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