December 01, 2021
Herman Miller Appointed as a Named Supplier to NHS Supply Chain
Brand chosen alongside top UK companies to support furniture needs of the NHS
Melksham, England: Leading design brand and furniture manufacturer Herman Miller, a member of design collective MillerKnoll, has been appointed as a named supplier of the National Health Service (NHS) Supply Chain, a significant distinction coming after a rigorous evaluation phase.
“We could not be more thrilled at being selected to work with and outfit such an important group serving our families and communities,” says David Cunningham, Director, Sales, UK & Ireland at MillerKnoll. “Earning this distinction among dozens of applicants only solidifies our desire to share our expertise with organisations making such a positive difference in our country. Herman Miller, as a part of the MillerKnoll collective group of brands, strives to create meaningful, valuable products that enable people to do what they do best even better. What more exceptional group to offer that to than the NHS?”
The vetting process to become a certified supplier of the NHS takes months of evaluations and paperwork. Leaders of the NHS Supply Chain conduct extensive research into the background of each brand applicant, as well as examine each company’s competency in customer service, logistics support, customer experience, ethical supply chains, sustainability and other critical business functions.
“From the moment we begin designing floorplates to final product installation and use, NHS customers should expect nothing less than the same high-quality care and experience we are known for among our clients,” says Emmanuel Delvaux, VP of Sales, Europe at MillerKnoll. “We have spent decades researching and crafting products that will fit the high standards and ever-changing needs required in a variety of environments, including medical ones. We are excited to see what this partnership holds!”
With increasing pressure on budgets, it is essential for public sector customers to achieve maximum value from their relationships with commercial suppliers. “We understand the NHS needs to save money for the taxpayer, whilst still receiving high quality goods and providing employees with inspiring workspaces,” says David. “To help them achieve this, we have been appointed as a named supplier on the NHS Supply Chain Framework for office and outdoor furniture, available to all NHS Trusts and similar organisations to use as their purchasing panel, giving them confidence that they have chosen a reputable supplier, while removing the need to undertake costly and time-consuming tender processes.”
While medical furniture makes up a significant portion of the furniture needed to outfit the NHS, solutions for cafeterias, waiting rooms, offices, and even outdoor respite areas which each play a critical role in the day-to-day routines in each facility. NHS Trusts now have access to Herman Miller’s design teams to plan and design floorplates in addition to having access to a wide range of Herman Miller products for each of their unique facility’s needs.
The contract officially began on 1 October 2021 and will run until 30 September 2025.
About Herman Miller
Herman Miller is a globally recognised leader in design. Since its inception in 1905, the company’s innovative, problem-solving designs and furnishings have inspired the best in people. Herman Miller is guided by an enduring legacy of design, innovation, and social good. In 2021, Herman Miller and Knoll created MillerKnoll, a collective of dynamic brands that comes together to design the world we live in.
About MillerKnoll
MillerKnoll is a collective of dynamic brands that comes together to design the world we live in. Powering the world’s most dynamic design brands, MillerKnoll includes Herman Miller and Knoll, plus Colebrook Bosson Saunders, DatesWeiser, Design Within Reach, Edelman Leather, Fully, Geiger, HAY, Holly Hunt, Maars Living Walls, Maharam, Muuto, naughtone, and Spinneybeck|FilzFelt. Together we are redefining modern design for the 21st century and changing the world for the better. As MillerKnoll, we form an unparalleled platform from which to imagine a more sustainable, caring, and beautiful world for everyone.
About NHS Supply Chain
NHS Supply Chain manages the sourcing, delivery and supply of healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales.
Managing more than 8 million orders per year, across 94,000 order points and under 17,500 locations. NHS Supply Chain delivers over 28 million lines of picked goods to the NHS annually and our systems consolidate orders from over 930 suppliers, saving trusts time and money in removing duplication of overlapping contracts.
NHS Supply Chain aims to deliver savings of £2.4 billion back into the NHS by 2023/2024, leveraging the buying power of the NHS to drive savings and provide a standardised range of clinically assured, quality products at the best value through a range of specialist buying functions. Its aim is to leverage the buying power of the NHS to negotiate the best deals from suppliers and deliver savings back into NHS frontline services.
There are 11 specialist buying functions, known as Category Towers, delivering clinical consumables, capital medical equipment and non-medical products such as food and office solutions. Two enabling services for logistics and supporting technology underpin the model.
Working in partnership with NHS trusts, service providers, and stakeholders, NHS Supply Chain aims to:
- Anchor the business on the needs of the NHS by supporting NHS trusts to deliver safe and excellent patient care and through continuing to build the services the NHS needs.
- Further strengthen the resilience of the supply chain by continuing to invest in key tools and capacity that build resilience and performance, across the end-to-end supply chain.
- Deliver clinically assured, safe products that support improved outcomes for patients and users.
- Support the NHS objective of becoming the world’s first net carbon zero national health system.
- Ensure a high performing workforce and highly efficient organisation.
Oversight and operational management of the model is delivered by the management function, Supply Chain Coordination Limited (SCCL), a limited company, wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, SCCL is part of the NHS family.
