A Better World Report

In an initiative called "Talent 2014," Herman Miller's Inclusiveness Resource Teams formed an alliance with Holland New Tech, a brand-new school in the Holland, Michigan Public School System. We plan to follow 100 eighth and ninth graders through to graduation in 2014, teach them about continuous improvement, teamwork, and collaboration skills at Herman Miller, and in general show them the kinds of careers open to high school grads. We hosted them for their first day at Herman Miller's design and production facilities in March. Who knows, there may be a future CEO in that group.

A few achievements by our I&D teams from last year

100 percent rating on Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (4th consecutive year)

Fifth annual $2,500 scholarship to the local Boys and Girls club

Prepared and distributed backpacks filled with school supplies to 1,200 West Michigan children

Addition of three new Inclusiveness Resource Teams (Generational Outreach IRT in U.S. and Disability and Remote Worker IRTs in U.K.)

Spring Fashion Show and Fundraiser for local Women's Resource Center hosted by Women's Initiatives Network (WIN) IRT

Attended several national conferences, including National Urban League (Black IRT), Out & Equal Workplace Summit (GLBT IRT), U.S. Business Leaders Network (disAbility Advocacy IRT), and National Hispanic Corporate Council (Hispanic IRT)

Supplier Diversity

We have always worked to build a strong and diverse supplier network. Supplier sourcing and qualification, Tier 2 reporting, mentoring, community and business outreach, and training and education are among the strategies we use to strengthen our supplier diversity efforts.

Last year, Herman Miller celebrated the 20th anniversary of our Supplier Diversity Program. We continue to build on that commitment. This year total spending with women and minority-owned businesses reached 16.4 percent. Our work led us to be nominated for the "Corporation of the Year" award by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC).

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