Cradle to Cradle

Design at Herman
Miller
By Group M

Points under Discussion

About the company Herman and Miller

Cradle to Cradle Design
Alternative and Analysis
Recommendations and Action Plan

Introduction
Herman and Miller was founded as Michigan Star Furniture
company in 1905 and renamed in 1923
Herman and Miller is a major manufacturer of office furniture,
equipment and home furnishing
After experience of over 60 years company grew as a
international brand
Collaborated with notable designers, Herman and Miller has
created lots of designs that have been showcased in New York
Museum of Modern Arts etc.

Products and Design

It workstation is a cubicle, a partially closed workspace,
separated from neighbouring workspaces by partitions
that are 5-6 feet tall
Its purpose is to isolate office workers from the sights
and nosies of an open workspace so that they may
concentrate without distraction
It was created by designer Robert Propst at Herman
Miller

Corporate Culture
The mindset of the management and employess was
reflected in the Things that Matter at Herman Miller:
Curiosity and Exploration, Design, A better world,
Performance, Relationship, Transparency, Engagement,
Inclusiveness, and Foundation
Herman and Miller adopted the triple-bottom-line
philosophy of financial, environmental, and social
responsibility
The culture Attracts a lot of talent employees who hold the
same values and care about environmental

Economic Performance
Herman Miller sales grew from $25 million in 1970, when
it first become a publicly traded company, to $1.5 billion in
2002
Herman Miller was one of the top four suppiler un the U.S.
office furniture industry
In 2002, its market share was 16% of the $8.9 billion the
whole industry
The company had a significant presence in healthcare,
education and residential/consumer markets

Herman Miller and Environment

We contribute to a better world by pursuing sustainability
and environmental wisdom. Environmental advocacy is the
part of our heritage and a responsibility we gladly bear for
future generations - Corporate Value Statement
The company was considered to be an environmental leader
in the industry
In 1989, the company formed the Environmental Quality
Action Team(EQAT) to set the companys environmental
direction
They drafted the Cradle to Cradle Design Protocol and
planned to apply it

Implementation Cradle to Cradle

Design Protocol
Mirra Chair
Used Polyvinyl Chloride
Alternative 1 : Use of PVC
Pros

Standard Material
Good Performance
Inexpensive
Mature supply Chain
Existing tooling for PVC

Cons
Red material on the list-toxins
released during its
manufacturing when it is burned
Violating the standards of the
C2C
Lots of bad press about it
More Tightening legislation on
polluted materials

Implementation Cradle to Cradle

Design Protocol
Alternative 2: Use of TPU
Pros

Cons

More Scratch resistant than

PVC
No toxins released when
manufacturing
In accord with C2C standards
In accord with Herman
Millers Perfect Vision

Immature Supply chain

Suppliers reluctant in using
new material
Expensive 30% more
assembly cost
Retooling cost ($100,000)

Conclusion : Using TPU as material for arm pads

Thank You