Company Timeline
1900
1905
Star Furniture Company, a manufacturer of high-quality, traditional-style bedroom suites, opens for business in Zeeland, Michigan.
1909
Star Furniture Company is renamed Michigan Star Furniture Company. The company hires Dirk Jan (D.J.) De Pree as a clerk. De Pree is 18 years old.
1910
1919
D.J. De Pree is named president of Michigan Star Furniture Company.
1920
1923
Michigan Star Furniture Company becomes the Herman Miller Furniture Company when D.J. De Pree convinces his father-in-law, Herman Miller, to purchase the majority of shares of Michigan Star Furniture Company. De Pree becomes the first president of the Herman Miller Furniture Company, which continues to manufacture reproductions of traditional home furniture.
1927
D.J. De Pree founds the Herman Miller Clock Company. The clock company makes traditionally designed clocks and later adds Gilbert Rohde designs.
A millwright dies on the job. De Pree visits the family, where the millwright's widow reads poetry authored by her husband. De Pree, deeply moved, makes a commitment to treat all workers as individuals with special talents and potential. The story of the millwright becomes part of Herman Miller lore.
1930
1930
Herman Miller, like many companies, faces failure amid the turmoil of the Great Depression. De Pree, looking for a way to save the company, meets Gilbert Rohde, a designer from New York, at Herman Miller's Grand Rapids showroom. Rohde convinces De Pree to move away from traditional furniture and to focus on products better suited to the changing needs and life styles of Americans.
1933
Herman Miller debuts its Rohde-designed furniture at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago.
1937
D.J. De Pree turns the Herman Miller Clock Company over to his brother-in-law, Howard Miller, who renames it the Howard Miller Clock Company.
1939
Herman Miller opens a showroom in Chicago's Merchandise Mart.
1940
1942
The Executive Office Group, designed by Gilbert Rohde, signals Herman Miller's entry into the office-furniture market. Modular and versatile, EOG is a precursor of systems furniture.
Herman Miller's Los Angeles showroom opens.
Charles and Ray Eames are commissioned by the Navy to develop lightweight, molded plywood leg splints.
1944
Gilbert Rohde dies; De Pree begins searching for a new design leader.
1945
After seeing an article in Life magazine on George Nelson and his Storage Wall design, D.J. De Pree hires him to serve as the company's first design director.
1946
The Nelson Office designs the stylized "m" logo and introduces a new corporate image for Herman Miller.
Nelson Platform Bench is introduced.
Eames Molded Plywood Chair, Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, Molded Plywood Folding Screen, and Molded Plywood Coffee Table are introduced.
New York's Museum of Modern Art installs a small exhibition called "New Furniture Designed by Charles Eames"--the museum's first one-man furniture show.
Nelson and De Pree recruit Charles and Ray Eames into the Herman Miller fold.
1947
Herman Miller gains exclusive market and distribution rights to the Eameses' award-winning molded plywood products. These rights are acquired from the Evans Products Company of Grand Haven, Michigan, which retains production rights.
1948
Herman Miller publishes and sells a bound, hardcover product catalog, written by George Nelson and designed by the Nelson Office. The catalog articulates Herman Miller's philosophy and principles about business and design. It is believed to be the first time a furniture catalog is sold, rather than distributed free. It becomes a collector's item.
Herman Miller introduces a glass-topped coffee table designed by Isamu Noguchi.
1949
Molded plywood manufacturing moves from the Grand Haven, Michigan, manufacturing site of Evans Products to a Herman Miller manufacturing facility in Zeeland. Another manufacturing plant, which later becomes the Eames Studio, opens in Venice, California.
1950
1950
Herman Miller becomes the first company in Michigan to adopt the Scanlon Plan, a program of participative management and gain sharing developed by Dr. Carl Frost.
Herman Miller introduces Eames Molded Fiberglass Chair, the first of its kind in the world, Eames Storage Units, and Wire Base Low Table, all designed by Charles and Ray Eames.
1951
Herman Miller begins its long association with Alexander Girard, noted colorist and textile designer.
The Eames Elliptical Table is introduced.
1952
Girard leads the newly formed Herman Miller Textile Division.
Nelson Bubble Lamps are introduced.
1953
Girard wallpapers and the Eames Hang-It-All are introduced.
1954
Nelson Pedestal Tables and the Eames Sofa Compact are introduced.
1955
Eames Storage Units are discontinued. They will be reintroduced in 1998.
Eames Molded Plywood Folding Screen is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1994.
Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair is introduced.
1956
Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman are introduced on national television (The Today Show). The chair will become a highly visible emblem of Herman Miller quality and innovation.
Nelson Marshmallow Sofa is introduced.
1957
Eames Molded Plywood Chair, Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, and Molded Plywood Coffee Table are discontinued. They will be reintroduced in 1994.
Herman Miller begins selling its products to the European market.
1958
Robert Propst, an inventor and teacher, begins consulting with Herman Miller.
Herman Miller begins building its Zeeland headquarters complex. George Nelson is the primary architect. A new plant opens in Venice, California, and a showroom opens in San Francisco.
Eames Aluminum Group Chairs are introduced.
1959
Nelson's Comprehensive Storage System, which uses vertical space to free up living space, is introduced.
1960
1960
The Herman Miller Furniture Company incorporates, becoming Herman Miller, Inc. The Herman Miller Research Division, which will later become the Herman Miller Research Corporation, opens in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a wholly owned subsidiary. Robert Propst becomes president.
Eames Walnut Stools are introduced. The series will be renamed Eames Turned Stool in 2023, when the stools also become available in ebonized ash.
1961
Herman Miller's textiles and accessories retail shop, the Textiles and Objects Shop (a.k.a. T & O), opens in New York City. It will close in 1967.
Eames Hang-It-All is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1994.
1962
Hugh De Pree, son of D.J., assumes leadership of Herman Miller, Inc., as president and chief executive officer. D.J. becomes chairman of the board.
Eames Tandem Sling Seating is introduced and installed at Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
1964
Robert Propst and George Nelson work together on the first prototypes of Action Office 1, a group of freestanding units that will evolve into Action Office system.
Eames Elliptical Table is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1994.
Nelson Sling Sofa is introduced. Eames Segmented Base Tables are introduced.
1965
The Marshmallow Sofa is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1999.
1966
With nearly 150 dealers, Herman Miller has expanded its presence to Central and South America, Australia, Canada, Europe, Africa, the Near East, Scandinavia, and Japan.
1967
Nelson Platform Bench is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1994.
In Switzerland, Herman Miller introduces the Panton Chair, a single-form, completely plastic chair, and sells it until 1975.
1968
Herman Miller introduces Action Office 2, the world's first open-plan modular system of panels and attaching components. Designed by Robert Propst and Jack Kelley, AO, as it will come to be called, will revolutionize office design and spawn a whole new industry.
Robert Propst's book, The Office: A Facility Based on Change, is published.
Eames Chaise is introduced.
1969
D.J. De Pree steps down as chairman of the board. Hugh De Pree becomes the new chairman.
Herman Miller, United Kingdom, forms. It has sales and marketing responsibilities throughout the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.
Eames Soft Pad Group is introduced.
1970
1970
Herman Miller, Inc., offers stock to the public. The Eames Office designs the stock certificate.
Herman Miller opens a new facility in Bath, England.
1971
Herman Miller enters the health/science market with the introduction of the Co/Struc system, based on a concept originated by Bob Propst in the 1960s.
1973
Noguchi Coffee Table is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1984.
1974
Rapid Response becomes the industry's first quick-ship program.
Chadwick Modular Seating, designed by Don Chadwick, is introduced.
1975
A major exhibition, "Nelson, Eames, Girard, Propst: The Design Process at Herman Miller," opens at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.
1976
Star Industries, later called Integrated Metal Technology, becomes a Herman Miller subsidiary. Building C is added to Main Site at company headquarters.
Herman Miller introduces the Ergon Chair, and a new era of ergonomic seating begins.
The Design of Herman Miller, by Ralph Caplan, is published by the Whitney Library of Design.
1979
Herman Miller opens the Facility Management Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan, helping establish the profession of facility management.
1980
1980
A new Holland seating plant is built. The Building B production site is converted to office space.
Hugh De Pree steps down. Max De Pree, D.J.'s younger son, becomes chairman and chief executive officer.
1981
Burdick Group, designed by Bruce Burdick, is introduced.
V-Wall movable walls are introduced.
Herman Miller's Energy Center begins burning waste to generate power—both electrical and steam—to run the company's million-square-foot Main Site manufacturing facility.
1982
Tradex, Inc., becomes a Herman Miller subsidiary, providing easy-to-acquire workstations, casegoods, and seating. Its name is later changed to Phoenix Designs and then to Miller SQA.
Vaughan Walls, Inc., a manufacturer of movable, modular walls, becomes a Herman Miller subsidiary.
1983
A special stock-ownership plan establishes all Herman Miller employees as shareholders.
1984
Herman Miller opens facilities in England and France.
The Equa Chair, Ethospace system, and Eames Sofa are introduced.
1985
Milcare, a wholly owned subsidiary, is formed from the company's Health/Science Division, which began in 1971. It will be renamed Herman Miller for Healthcare in 1999.
The Worldesign Congress names Charles Eames "The Most Influential Designer of the Century" and Action Office "The Most Significant Design" since 1960.
Dealerships open in Korea, Malaysia, and Australia.
Herman Miller Research Corporation publishes The Negotiable Environment.
1986
George Nelson dies.
The Custom Choices Division is established to offer nonstandard products.
Construction of the Design Yard in Holland, Michigan, begins.
1987
Max De Pree steps down. Dick Ruch is named Herman Miller CEO, the first person outside of the De Pree family to hold that title.
Newhouse Group furniture, designed by Tom Newhouse, is introduced.
1988
Ray Eames dies.
Max De Pree publishes Leadership is an Art.
Ergon 2 Chairs are introduced.
1989
The Equa Chair wins a Design of the Decade award from Time magazine.
Herman Miller employees create the Environmental Quality Action Team (EQAT) to coordinate environmental programs company-wide.
1990
1990
Meridian becomes a Herman Miller subsidiary.
Herman Miller is the only office furniture manufacturer to be a founding member of the Tropical Forest Foundation. Other cofounders include Caterpillar, the Audubon Society, and Bank of America.
D.J. De Pree dies.
1991
Action Office Series 3 is introduced.
Herman Miller launches its Supplier Diversity Program, to increase business opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses.
1992
J. Kermit Campbell becomes Herman Miller's fifth CEO and president.
Herman Miller UK earns an ISO 9002 registration.
1993
Herman Miller becomes a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council, the only office furniture manufacturer on the original roster.
Alexander Girard dies.
Herman Miller begins using cherry and walnut from sustainable sources in place of endangered rosewood on Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman.
Herman Miller and Meridian earn ISO 9001 registrations.
The company's first Environmental Conference is held.
1994
Herman Miller returns to the residential furniture market with the launch of Herman Miller for the Home. Its offering includes new designs as well as reintroduced modern classic furniture from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.
The Herman Miller GreenHouse receives the Pioneer Award from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The criteria used for the GreenHouse becomes the basis for USGBC's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification protocol.
Herman Miller buys Righetti, a wholly owned subsidiary in Mexico.
Herman Miller is cited by Fortune magazine as one of the nation's 10 most environmentally responsible corporations.
Herman Miller, Inc., introduces the Aeron Chair and the New York Museum of Modern Art adds it to its 20th Century Design Collection.
Herman Miller receives the National Wildlife Federation's 1993 Environmental Achievement Award for its commitment to earth stewardship.
1995
Herman Miller's website, www.hermanmiller.com, goes live.
Max De Pree retires from the Board of Directors. J. Kermit Campbell resigns as CEO. Mike Volkema becomes CEO.
Ergon 3, Equa 2, and Ambi chairs are introduced.
1996
Herman Miller begins implementing TPS (Toyota Production System) “lean” manufacturing techniques.
Miller SQA ("simple, quick, affordable") manufacturing begins operations.
1997
Herman Miller and Geiger Brickel, a high-quality wood casegoods and seating manufacturer headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, enter a strategic sales alliance.
1998
Herman Miller for the Home introduces Meinecke rugs and increases its classics offering by adding Eames Storage Units, and pillows, scrims, and table runners in textiles designed by Alexander Girard.
Meridian, Milcare, Miller SQA, Coro, and Performis-former subsidiaries-become part of Herman Miller, Inc. Milcare becomes Herman Miller for Healthcare.
1999
Herman Miller introduces Caper chairs, and displays the Resolve system at NeoCon.
Herman Miller for the Home introduces Goetz Sofa, and reintroduces Nelson Marshmallow Sofa.
The Aeron Chair wins a Design of the Decade award from Business Week magazine and the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).
Herman Miller acquires Geiger Brickel.
2000
2000
Herman Miller RED, an online enterprise focused on meeting the office furniture needs of small business, is launched. Large-scale shifts in the global economy necessitate closing the business in 2001.
Eames Molded Plywood Chair is named "design of the century" by Time magazine.
2001
Herman Miller Resolve system is added to the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection, and to the collection of the Brooklyn Museum of Art.
The DOT (Design on Textile) program, which allows customer customization of work environments, is introduced.
2002
Herman Miller's C-1 corporate office facility renovation receives Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building certification, only the 10th Gold standard awarded nationwide.
Herman Miller introduces PostureFit, a major ergonomic breakthrough in seating.
2003
Herman Miller introduces the Mirra Chair, the first piece of office furniture to be developed from its inception according to cradle-to-cradle principles.
The Herman Miller MarketPlace receives Gold LEED Certification. At the time, it is one of less than a dozen buildings nationwide to achieve that distinction.
2004
Herman Miller receives GreenGuard Indoor Air Quality certification for most of its products.
Brian Walker becomes president and CEO.
2005
Herman Miller introduces the Celle Chair designed by Jerome Caruso and manufactured using "green" energy.
Herman Miller introduces Babble, an award-winning sound management solution for confidential conversations.
2006
Herman Miller introduces the energy efficient Leaf Personal Light, designed by Yves Béhar.
Herman Miller completes construction of its European headquarters, VillageGreen, in Chippenham, England. Its design receives an Excellent rating from the United Kingdom's Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).
Herman Miller unveils My Studio Environments. Designed by Doug Ball, it is the first open plan office system designed according to the McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) Cradle to Cradle protocol and Herman Miller's Design for the Environment (DfE) criteria.
2007
Herman Miller invests in two factories and a national headquarters in China, selecting Ningbo as the site for its manufacturing operations, and Shanghai for its main office.
2008
Herman Miller acquires Brandrud Furniture, Inc., a Seattle-based manufacturer of healthcare furnishings.
Herman Miller introduces the Embody Chair, designed by Jeff Weber and the late Bill Stumpf.
Herman Miller International introduces Sense desking system designed by Daniel Korb.
2009
Herman Miller introduces the Setu Chair, designed by Studio 7.5.
Herman Miller begins applying Herman Miller Performance System principles to its dealers' work to reduce installation time.
Herman Miller acquires Nemschoff, Inc., a Sheboygan-based manufacturer of high-quality, leading-edge healthcare furnishings.
2010
2010
Herman Miller introduces the Sayl Chair, designed by Yves Béhar.
Herman Miller opens retail shop in Tokyo.
Herman Miller becomes the first company in the furniture industry and one of the first companies in the world to fuel 100 percent of our facilities with renewable energy.
Herman Miller acquires Colebrook Bosson Saunders (CBS), a London-based worldwide leader in ergonomic work tools.
Herman Miller introduces Compass System for patient rooms, designed by Gianfranco Zaccai and a team at Continuum.
2011
Herman Miller introduces Canvas Office Landscape. It is the work of several contributing designers including Jeffrey Bernett and Nicholas Dodziuk of CDS in New York, who built on the earlier work of Douglas Ball and Joey Ruiter.
Herman Miller becomes exclusive distributor in the U.S. and Canada for Magis and Mattiazzi, both Italian firms known for their authored design and advanced craft.
"Merchants of Virtue" is published. Written by independent journalist Bill Birchard, the book explores the origins of Herman Miller's sustainability-efforts.
2012
Herman Miller relaunches a portfolio of products that combine updated classics and new work from contemporary designers, which includes archival and new modern designs.
Herman Miller introduces Molded Wood Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames.
Herman Miller completes the acquisition of Asian office furniture manufacturer POSH.
2013
Herman Miller acquires Maharam Fabric Corporation, a global designer and provider of high-quality interior textiles for commercial, healthcare, and residential interiors.
Herman Miller introduces Mirra 2, the latest advance in high-performance seating.
Herman Miller, in collaboration with the Eames Office, reintroduces Eames Molded Plastic Chair in fiberglass, leveraging contemporary advances in environmentally sensitive material chemistry and manufacturing processes.
Herman Miller unveils Living Office, a human-centered integration of the tools and products that enable work, and create a more natural, desirable, and productive work environment.
Herman Miller introduces Locale, designed by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin of Industrial Facility. Locale enables the creation of work neighborhoods within open-plan environments.
Herman Miller introduces Public Office Landscape, a system of surface, storage, and seating components that allows people to move freely between conversations and tasks. Designed by Yves Béhar and his team at fuseproject.
2014
Herman Miller announces Earthright, a new sustainability strategy that builds on more than 50 years of environmental learning and commitment.
Herman Miller unveils a Healthcare Living Office, a modular, human-centered approach to healthcare environments that allows caregivers working across a health system to customize their methods, tools, and spaces.
Herman Miller introduces Renew sit-to-stand tables.
Herman Miller acquires Design Within Reach, the largest retailer of authentic modern furniture and accessories in the world to propel growth in the consumer channel.
Herman Miller debuts Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which provides a product’s sustainability information so people can make more informed purchasing decisions.
2015
Herman Miller launches Metaform Portfolio, designed by Studio 7.5 - a flexible and modular system of blocks created from an abundant, environmentally-resistant, and recyclable material.
Herman Miller opens PortalMill, a 170,000 sq.-ft. manufacturing and office space in the United Kingdom. The new facility enhances the company’s efficiencies and distribution capabilities across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
2016
Herman Miller opens its flagship at 251 Park Avenue in New York. The 60,000 square-feet of retail, showroom, and office space is anchored by the first Herman Miller retail store in North America.
Herman Miller forms a strategic partnership with NaughtOne, a UK-based company specializing in upholstered soft seating and other collaborative products.
Herman Miller introduces the Keyn Chair Group, a range of meeting and side chairs.
Herman Miller launches Exclave, a suite of products used to create collaborative environments across the office landscape. Designed by Continuum.
Nemschoff launches a significant expansion of Nemschoff Classics, pieces inspired by mid-century designs that were once part of the company’s residential offering.
2018
President and CEO Brian Walker retires.
Herman Miller names Andi Owen president and CEO.
Herman Miller acquires a stake in, and North American brand rights to HAY, a leader in ancillary furnishings in Europe and Asia.
Herman Miller acquires MAARS Living Walls.
Herman Miller introduces Overlay, a system of freestanding, moveable walls designed by Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck; DoubleFrame Table, designed by Michael Anastassiades; Lispenard Sofa Group, designed by Neil Logan; Canvas Vista system, designed by Joey Ruiter; and Cosm Chair, designed by Studio 7.5.
2019
Herman Miller acquires a majority interest in HAY.
Herman Miller acquires the remaining shares of NaughtOne.
2020
2020
Andi Owen signs CEO for Diversity and Inclusion™ Pledge.
Herman Miller and Logitech G introduce Embody Gaming Chair.
Herman Miller expands its retail footprint, opening stores in major cities across North America.
Herman Miller launches OE1 Workspace Collection, designed by Industrial Facility.
2021
Herman Miller acquires Knoll, Inc., creating the preeminent leader in modern design.
Herman Miller and Knoll announce new company name: MillerKnoll.
Herman Miller introduces a new sustainable textile collection, including fabric made from all recycled and ocean-bound plastic materials and an industry-leading 100 percent post-consumer biodegradable polyester.
Herman Miller announces that its entire Aeron Chair portfolio will contain ocean-bound plastic.
Herman Miller becomes the exclusive manufacturer of the National Museum of Norway’s Competition Chair Design Winner, Portrait Chair, by Andreas Engesvik.
Herman Miller reintroduces Wilkes Modular Seating.
Herman Miller leaves the Merchandise Mart and opens a retail, showroom, and exhibition space in the Fulton Market Neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.
Herman Miller introduces Comma Seating Collection by Michael Anastassiades; and Revenio Textile Collection.
2022
Herman Miller introduces Eames 2500 Series Desk, reissues of George Nelson’s Cube Sofa Group and Cane Bench, and Eames Molded Plastic Chair made with 100 percent recycled plastic.
Herman Miller x HAY Collection launches. The collection includes color and material updates for eight Eames designs, including Eames Molded Plywood Chair, Molded Plastic Shell Chair, Wire Chairs, Wire Base Low Table, Universal Base Round Table, and Hang-It-All, all selected by Mette and Rolf Hay.
Herman Miller introduces the Zeph Chair by Studio 7.5, Pronta Stacking Chair, and Vantum Chair for gaming.
2023
Herman Miller launches Passport Work Table; Girard Environmental Enrichment Posters, Alexander Girard’s designs highlighted in a new format; and the Asari Chair, designed by Naoto Fukasawa.
Herman Miller celebrates the 100th anniversary of its brand name.
