Geiger International Acquires Ruskin Industries
January 22, 2009
Geiger International, designer and manufacturer of architectural furniture for commercial interiors, has acquired Hickory, North Carolina-based specialty wood manufacturer Ruskin Industries. Founded in 1964, Geiger produces executive-grade casegoods, seating and tables for the contract furniture industry. The company is a subsidiary of Herman Miller, Inc., a leading global provider of office furniture and services.
Since 2000, Ruskin has been best known for marrying old-world craftsmanship with 21st century technology. Led by founder Jay Rubino, the company has raised the quality of modern woodworking, whether for ornate, carved wood pieces for piano maker Steinway or solid-wood chair frames for contract furniture companies such as HBF and Cabot Wrenn, as well as Geiger.
"We've pushed the envelope technologically at Ruskin. We've caught up with the highly skilled traditions of 100 years ago--and we're doing it in a competitive way," explains Rubino. He joins Geiger as its Vice President of Seating and Table Operations. In this new position, he also oversees Geiger's existing chair manufacturing operations at Lake Mills, Wisconsin.
"Ruskin's commitment to craft makes it a perfect addition to the Geiger family, as we continue to expand our seating and tables business," says Steve Gane, President of Geiger. "We see Ruskin as a catalyst to Geiger cementing our leadership position--in terms of innovation and quality--in this market segment."
In addition to becoming a primary supplier for Geiger, the Ruskin location will continue to serve select customers in the residential and contract furniture industries as an OEM manufacturer of specialty wood components.
About Geiger International
For more than forty years, Geiger International has inspired the A+D community by pioneering the design and manufacturing of architectural furniture for private offices and commercial interiors. Today, Geiger's excellent reputation for design, engineering and craftsmanship continues to enhance business interiors with an elegant and intelligent portfolio of product solutions for the modern workplace. Founded in 1964 in Toronto and headquartered in Atlanta since 1979, Geiger International is a wholly owned subsidiary of publicly held Herman Miller, Inc. (MLHR).
About Herman Miller
Herman Miller works for a better world around you--by designing furnishings 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 established Herman Miller as a recognized global company. In 2008, 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 world's "Fast 50" most innovative companies. Herman Miller trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MLHR.