Steelcase Embraces the Cubicle and Showcases New Seating Products at NeoCon 2006
CHICAGO, June 12 - Steelcase Inc. (NYSE:SCS), a global office environments manufacturer, today opens its showroom for exhibition at NeoCon 2006, the World's Trade Fair for Interior Design and Facilities Management. Highlights from the show include the launch of two chairs, an updated version of its highly successful Leap chair, and non- traditional interpretations of 8 x 8 work spaces; unmistakable in each is an impressive application of the company's research and commitment to the environment.
"Steelcase came to NeoCon this year with a renewed sense of optimism about all that is possible within the realm of office design. The nature and sociology of work has evolved over the years and our customers are looking for ways that their furniture can also evolve to meet their changing needs," said James P. Hackett, president and CEO of Steelcase Inc. "This year's showroom demonstrates innovative yet hard-working solutions that allow people to thrive, not just survive, at work."
Rethinking the 8x8 Workspace
Solid research is the foundation of every product and solution that Steelcase offers. This year the company showcases more than a dozen 8 x 8 work spaces, commonly called cubicles. Museum-like in its presentation of 14 unique settings, the exhibit demonstrates that the ubiquitous workstation can support independent, pair and group work in dynamic and inventive ways. Research has shown that traditional, cubicle-style work spaces may not effectively support diverse work styles. However, this exhibit of existing and new Steelcase products proves that these traditional settings can be reinvented to allow easy transitions between individual and team work, define space to create privacy without barriers to interaction and provide workers more control over their space.
Some of the work issues the 14 unique settings address are:
o How workers balance privacy
o How to enable workers to relax and rejuvenate
o How workers can increase their approachability
o How workstations can support diverse work styles
o How to separate workers without isolating them
o How to provide workers the ability to spread work out
o How to provide workers privacy for intensive work
o How to enable brainstorming and inspiration
New Seating Introductions and Enhancements
Siento(TM), Move(TM) and Leap® represent an evolution in Steelcase's patented seating technologies, building upon the Live Back® and Your Profile(TM) technologies, which are currently used in the Leap and Think chairs, respectively. Comfort and ergonomics are often compromised in multi- purpose and executive seating. However, Move and Siento demonstrate how innovative technologies are being utilized to bring a new level of comfort and ergonomic design to these seating categories.
Designed by renowned Spanish architect Jorge Pensi, known for his fluid and elegant chair designs, the Siento chair is ideal for use in executive offices, conference rooms, and other high-image workspaces. The chair reflects Pensi's world-class architectural background with a striking yet subdued design that is unique among traditional, high-end executive seating. Siento incorporates Live Back technology, which allows the chair back to change shape and encourage healthy spinal motion, unlike traditional executive seating which utilizes outdated back technology.
McDonough Braunguart Design Chemistry (MBDC) has conducted a materials assessment to determine that every material used in Siento is safe for human and environmental health. Also, Siento is currently under review for MBDC's "Cradle-to-Cradle" certification. The University of Michigan has also conducted a Life Cycle Assessment of the chair to evaluate the chair's life- long impact on the environment. Additionally, the standard leather option for Siento uses a chromium-free tanning process.
The Move chair takes multi-purpose seating to a new level of comfort. It is ideal for guest seating and almost any place people want to sit in comfort including conference rooms, team areas, classrooms, touchdown spaces, reception areas, or cafes. Designed by the Steelcase Design Studio, it provides a clean aesthetic that is simple in form and construction. Move incorporates Your Profile seat technology with flexors under the seat cushion to create a dynamic comfort pocket that provides unparalleled comfort for a multi-purpose chair. Up to 99 percent recyclable at the end of its life, Move is made with only seven screws for quick and easy disassembly in less than five minutes with common hand tools. Like Siento, Move is constructed with MBDC approved materials which are safe for human and environmental health. A Life Cycle Assessment has also been completed on Move to evaluate the chair's life-long impact on the environment.
Additionally, a new refreshed design of the Leap chair is debuting with improvements in four key areas: performance, aesthetics, ease of use and environmental effectiveness. The chair's sleek new design provides improved back support and a new arm depth adjustment enables users to get closer to their work and provide better support for reclining. The Leap chair also underwent a Life Cycle assessment by Michigan State University to measure its environmental impact through every step of its life cycle. It recently received a Silver Cradle to Cradle Product Certification(TM) from MBDC and is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified®.
NeoCon 2006 will run from June 12, 2006 through June 14, 2006 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Illinois.
About Steelcase Inc.
Steelcase, the global leader in the office furniture industry, helps people have a better work experience by providing products, services and insights into the ways people work. The company designs and manufactures architecture, furniture and technology products. Founded in 1912 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steelcase (NYSE:SCS) serves customers through a network of more than 800 independent dealers and approximately 13,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2006 revenue was $2.9 billion. Learn more at http://www.steelcase.com/.
Source: Steelcase Inc.
CONTACT: Sara Whitman for Steelcase Inc., +1-212-931-6121,
swhitman@peppercom.com
Web site: http://www.steelcase.com/
