Herman Miller, Inc., won with both customers and dealers at the NeoCon 2009 World's Trade Fair, North America's largest exhibition of contract furnishings for the design and management of the built environment, held in Chicago, June 15-17. The annual gathering of design professionals, corporate end users, and furniture dealers recognized the company in two separate awards programs, reviewing both new product introductions and also manufacturers' reputations among independent furniture dealers.
The annual Best of NeoCon Awards for product, juried by interior design and real estate management professionals who reviewed 280 entries, recognized Herman Miller's Setu chair with a Gold award in the Conference Seating category and a Silver award in the Lounge Seating category, a Silver award in the Ergonomic Seating category for its Embody chair, and a Gold award in the Specialty Lighting category for its Twist light.
The Best of NeoCon awards, now in their 20th year, are sponsored and organized by the International Interior Design Association, the International Facility Management Association, Contract magazine, the McMorrow Report and Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Herman Miller President and CEO Brian Walker noted, "In a year of such economic uncertainty, Herman Miller kept its focus on problem-solving solutions to strengthen our product portfolio and bring the best products forward for our customers. These awards reflect our company's continuing investment in innovation and also the talent and dedication of employees and designers who made it possible for us to achieve this recognition."
In addition to product accolades, Herman Miller also received the "2009 Manufacturer of the Year Gold Award," presented by the Office Furniture Dealers Alliance (OFDA). The industry association for independent U.S. and Canadian office furniture dealers annually surveys its membership for their opinions on industry manufacturers. The awards are then presented in conjunction with the NeoCon gathering. This is the third time in four years that Herman Miller has received the top prize among major manufacturers.
"Our products and operations center around performance innovation," added Walker. "The OFDA award is significant because it acknowledges our progress in these areas and it reinforces that our dealers value and support these efforts."
About Herman Miller, Inc.
Herman Miller works for a better world around you—with inventive designs, technologies and related services that improve the human experience wherever people work, heal, learn, and live. Its curiosity, ingenuity, and design excellence create award-winning products and services, resulting in more than $2 billion in revenue in fiscal 2008. Innovative business practices and a commitment to social responsibility have also established Herman Miller as a recognized global company. In 2009, Herman Miller was again cited by FORTUNE as both the "Most Admired" in its industry and among the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America, while Fast Company named Herman Miller among the innovative "Companies to Watch." Herman Miller trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MLHR.