Furniture makers focus on collaboration | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - The region's Big 3 office furniture makers are gearing up for their industry's big trade show in Chicago next week.  It's called Neocon and about 40,000 designers, facility managers and more will fill the massive Merchandise Mart, seeing what's next for work space furniture.

For the biggest player, Steelcase, products will reflect the fact that "work has become more global, it's more mobile, it's 24/7 people are always on," according to spokesperson Chris Congdon.

Steelcase says products that help workers collaborate are key.   That's also the message we heard from the industry's other two largest players, Haworth of Holland and Herman Miller of Zeeland.

Haworth's Raymond Kennedy told WZZM 13's Peter Ross this week: "People need tools and techniques and devices to help foster collaboration."

Haworth is rolling out a new family of chairs it calls "Lively."

At Herman Miller, updates to its Canvas platform of products will be unveiled.  They emphasize places where people can meet and brainstorm on solutions, according to product manager Matt Sall.