The Rise and Rise of Herman Miller
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By
jesse
As Herman Miller continues to expand across Australia and Asia, Indesignlive explores the company’s growth and future direction.
“We work to try and solve problems that everyday people experience, with the mission of making their lives easier and making the world a better place,” says Paul MacDonald, Sales Director for Herman Miller Australia and New Zealand.
This has led to a product portfolio which is second to none, offering real solutions that work to build a better world around you – be that an office, a school, home or hospital.
Eames Hang-it-All
A portfolio that includes playful accessories like the Eames Hang-it-All and timeless classics such as the Nelson Coconut Chair as well as ground-breaking solutions for today’s office with Aeron, the first chair to renounce foam; Embody, the first health-positive chair, and SAYL, the first fully-frameless suspension back chair.
Nelson Coconut Chair
Continually pushing the boundaries of design through collaboration with renowned designers to create innovative products, the Herman Miller brand has gone from strength to strength since its inception across the globe and notably in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
The power of the brand and its products has meant that the company has exceeded sales targets even in times of downturn and economic instability. The Setu chair, for example, outsold its projected 5-year sales within 12 months.
For MacDonald, the key to Herman Miller’s success has been “the unwavering focus on being innovative in design, and not bowing down to economic pressures or lowering costs through the reduction of quality.”
This culture of innovation and focus on quality has seen Herman Miller consistently included on highly esteemed company rating lists including being one of only six companies in the world to be included on all three lists: Fast Company magazine’s “Most Innovative” companies, FORTUNE magazine’s “Best Companies to Work For” and FORTUNE magazine’s “Most Admired” companies – a place they have held for 23 consecutive years.
The demand for Herman Miller products continues to grow. Products made decades ago are still in demand and products being made today will be sought after for years to come.
Aeron
With this in mind, the company has been actively increasing its touchpoints across the nation over the past 12 months. With additional Herman Miller direct dealers now in Darwin, Perth, Adelaide and other cities around Australia, the company is now looking to increase distribution even further to secondary cities and smaller towns.
“We receive enquiries from the most far flung areas of Australia,” says MacDonald. “People want to buy Herman Miller. The Eames’ catchcry was ’bringing innovative design to the masses’ – so we’re expanding wherever we can.”
SAYL
The coming months will see further expansion throughout Australia and Asia, a host of new products and significantly, the launch of the highly acclaimed Herman Miller Health range in the Australian market.
“We have a strong vision and a strong plan,” MacDonald says. ”Herman Miller Australia is marching forward.”
Visit hermanmiller.com.au to find your nearest Herman Miller dealer or email info_au@hermanmiller.com for more information.
Herman Miller Australia
hermanmiller.com.au
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