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Steelcase
Steelcase
Steelcase
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Steelcase Inc. is an international manufacturer of furniture, casegoods, seating, and storage and partitioning systems for offices, hospitals, classrooms, and residential interiors. It is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States.[2]

Key Information

History

[edit]

Originally known as the Metal Office Furniture Company, Steelcase was founded by Peter Martin Wege in 1912.[3] Prior to starting the company, Wege had filed approximately 25 patents related to the sheet metal and fireproofing industries. The Metal Office Furniture Company's first products included fireproof metal safes and four-drawer metal filing cabinets.[4]

Workstation by Frank Lloyd Wright and Steelcase c. 1937

In 1914, the company received its first product patent for "The Victor",[5] a fireproof steel wastebasket. The Victor gained popularity due to its light weight—achieved through a patented process of bending flat steel at right angles to create boxes—and its ability to prevent fires at a time when smoking was common indoors, particularly in the workplace.[6][7] In 1915, the company began manufacturing and distributing steel desks after designing and producing 200 for Boston's first skyscraper, the Custom House Tower.[6] In 1937, the company collaborated with Frank Lloyd Wright on office furniture for the Johnson Wax Headquarters. The partnership lasted two years and resulted in some of the first modern workstations.[6][8]

The Victor wastebasket c. 1914
1977 Series 90001

The name Steelcase was a result of an advertising campaign to promote metal office furniture over wood and was trademarked in 1921. The company officially changed its name to Steelcase, Inc. in 1954.[7][8]

The company became an industry leader in the late 1960s due to the volume of its sales.[7][9] Steelcase expanded into new markets during the 1970s, including Asia, Europe, and North Africa.[9] In 1973, the company debuted the Series 9000 furniture line, a panel-based office system that became a best seller and the company's flagship brand.[10][11] That same year, the company delivered the largest single furniture shipment to the then-new Sears Tower. The delivery included 43,565 pieces of furniture and furnished 44 floors.[8][9]

During the 1980s and 1990s, Steelcase was working closely with architects and interior designers to develop products as well the company's own workspace in Grand Rapids.[10] The company's current headquarters were built in 1983 on 901 44th St. SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[8] In 1989, Steelcase opened the pyramid-shaped Steelcase Inc. Corporate Development Center. The center contained ten research laboratories and workspaces meant to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration on product development.[10] Steelcase vacated the Pyramid in 2010, and the Pyramid was sold to Switch (company) in 2016.[12] In 1996, Steelcase became the majority stakeholder in design firm IDEO and the firm's CEO, David M. Kelley, became Steelcase's vice president of technical discovery and innovation.[13][14] Steelcase sold its shares back to IDEO's managers starting in 2007.[15]

In 1996, Steelcase was found at fault in a patent infringement suit brought against them by Haworth, Inc., another furniture company. Steelcase was ordered to pay $211.5 million in damages and interest, thus ending a 17-year dispute with Haworth.[16]

Steelcase became a publicly traded company in 1998 under the symbol SCS. During the 2000s, Steelcase reorganized its workforce and began integrating modern technologies in its products.[17] In 2000, the company opened Steelcase University, a center for ongoing employee development and learning.[18] Steelcase's wood furniture plant in Caledonia, MI earned LEED certification in 2001, becoming the first plant to receive the certification.[19] In 2002, Steelcase partnered with IBM to create BlueSpace, a "smart office" prototype designed using new office technologies.[20] In 2010, Steelcase and IDEO launched new models for higher education classrooms called LearnLabs.[21]

In January 2016 the company recalled 12 models of Steelcase "Rocky" style swivel chairs manufactured between 2005 and 2015, due to fall hazard.[22][23]

In August 2025, HNI Corporation announced it would acquire Steelcase for $2.2 billion.[24][25]

Noteworthy products

[edit]
1945 Steelcase Metal Office Furniture
Multiple 15 desk

Steelcase released Multiple 15 desks in 1946, which introduced standardized desk sizing and became a universal industry standard.[6] Series 9000 was released in 1973 and became Steelcase's most popular line of office systems.[10][11] The Leap chair, introduced in 1999, sold 5,000 units a week during its first year and became the company's most popular release. The ergonomic office chair was designed with eight adjustable areas for users to control, including chair height, armrest positioning, lumbar support, seat depth, and back positioning. The chair was developed over four years, cost $35 million to design, and resulted in 11 academic studies and 23 patents.[26][27] The company released the Gesture chair in 2013, which is designed to support the way workers naturally sit.[27]

Steelcase innovates the industry with the 1945 Metal Office Furniture Company[28] path in an attempt to be more sustainable. The idea started when Steelcase saw the need for furniture to be personalized for custom size spaces with the ability to be able to fix a broken part if necessary. This series then came to be over 200 compatible arrangements for tables and desks. The process for this simple assembly of parts for the new design was to repair, replace or recycle as many times as the user needs.[28]

Brands

[edit]

Subsidiaries include AMQ, Coalesse, Halcon, Orangebox, Smith System, and Viccarbe, as well as several other brands such as Steelcase Health and Education.[7] The company established an office accessories brand called Details in 1990.[29] In 1993, Steelcase launched Turnstone, a line of furniture designed for small businesses and home offices.[17] Designtex, which produces interior textiles and upholstery, was acquired in 1998.[30] Nurture was founded in 2006 to create products for the health care industry, including furniture and interiors for waiting rooms, offices, and clinics.[31] The brand became Steelcase Health in 2014.[32]

Steelcase merged three of its subsidiaries (Brayton International, Metro Furniture and Vecta) to form Coalesse in 2008. Coalesse products are meant for what the company calls "live/work" spaces, a result of the frequent overlap of home and office in modern working habits.[33]

Company culture

[edit]
The WorkCafe in Steelcase Corporate Headquarters, Grand Rapids, Michigan

In 1985, Steelcase purchased the Meyer May House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and restored it, opening it to the public in 1987.[34][9] A corporate art program has resulted in a collection including pieces by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Dale Chihuly.[35][36]

The company employs a research group called WorkSpace Futures to study workplace trends.[37] In 2010, Steelcase underwent a three-year project to update its Grand Rapids headquarters to promote employee productivity and employee well-being, including redesigning a cafeteria into an all-purpose work environment that provides food service and space for meetings, socializing, and independent work.[38][39]

Steelcase's sustainability efforts have included reducing packaging, using regional facilities to reduce shipping distance, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption, and a goal to reduce its environmental footprint by 25 percent by 2020.[36][40][41] As of 2012, Steelcase had reduced its waste by 80 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by 37 percent and water consumption by 54 percent since 2006.[41] According to the company's WorkFutures group, the company also analyzes its supply chain and materials chemistry to determine product sustainability. As of 2014, the company led its industry in Cradle to Cradle-certified products.[36] In 2016, Steelcase employees volunteered 38,913 hours and the Steelcase Foundation donated more than US$5.7 million.[42]

Steelcase became Carbon Neutral on August 25, 2020, with the plan of becoming Carbon negative (eliminating more carbon than they produce) by 2030.[43] As a company they have a focus on green chemistry and have stopped manufacturing with many chemicals like Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).[28]

Awards

[edit]
Leap chair
Gesture seating

Company Awards

[edit]

Design Awards

[edit]
  • 2014 Steelcase's SOTO II Worktools won a Silver Award in the Office Accessories category from Editor's Choice.[44]
  • 2018 Best Large Showroom and Best of Competition at NeoCon[47]
  • 2019 Steelcase won the Red Dot Award in 2019 for their SILQ chair design.[48]
  • 2021 Best of NeoCon Gold and Best of NeoCon Innovation Awards[49]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Steelcase

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Steelcase Inc. is an American multinational corporation specializing in the design, manufacture, and distribution of office furniture, architectural products, and workspace solutions for commercial, educational, and healthcare environments. Founded in 1912 in , by Peter M. Wege as the Metal Office Furniture Company, Steelcase initially produced fireproof metal furniture to meet growing demand for durable office equipment in an era of expanding businesses. Over its more than century-long history, the company has evolved into a global leader in workplace innovation, pioneering products such as the in the 1960s and emphasizing principles that integrate furniture, , and architecture to enhance productivity and wellbeing. Headquartered in , Steelcase operates through three main geographic segments—Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and Other—serving customers in over 80 countries with a network of 20 manufacturing facilities and a workforce of approximately 11,300 employees as of 2025. The company reported fiscal 2025 revenue of $3.2 billion, reflecting steady growth driven by demand for adaptive workspaces amid hybrid work trends and initiatives. In August 2025, HNI Corporation agreed to acquire Steelcase in a $2.2 billion all-stock transaction, expected to close by the end of the year subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Steelcase's product portfolio includes seating, desks, storage systems, movable walls, and collaborative tools, often customized through its expansive community of brands such as Turnstone, Coalesse, and Smith System, which target specific sectors like education and hospitality. Beyond manufacturing, the firm provides consulting services in workplace strategy and interior architecture, focusing on research-backed solutions that foster community, flexibility, and environmental responsibility, including commitments to achieve net-zero emissions. Recognized as one of the world's most admired companies in the home equipment and furnishings category, Steelcase continues to influence modern work environments by prioritizing user experience and planetary impact.

Overview

Founding and Operations

Steelcase was founded on March 16, 1912, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the Metal Office Furniture Company by Peter M. Wege and Walter D. Idema, with David D. Hunting joining in 1914. The company began operations with an initial capitalization of $75,000 from a group of local investors, marking the start of its focus on metal-based office products in a region known for wooden furniture manufacturing. The initial emphasis was on producing metal office furniture to mitigate fire hazards associated with wooden desks and straw wastebaskets prevalent in early 20th-century workplaces, where open flames and posed significant risks. This approach addressed durability and safety needs, leading to early innovations like the fireproof Victor steel wastebasket patented in 1914. Headquartered in , at 901 44th Street SE, Steelcase maintains primary manufacturing and design facilities there while conducting global operations across , , , and . Its core business involves the design, manufacture, and distribution of office furniture, encompassing seating, casegoods, storage solutions, and partitioning systems tailored for offices, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and retail environments. The company's purpose is to help people do their best work by creating places that work better through innovative work solutions.

Financial Performance and Global Presence

Steelcase reported revenue of $3.2 billion for its 2025, ending February 28, 2025, reflecting stable performance in the office furniture sector amid evolving workplace demands. The company employs approximately 11,300 people worldwide, supporting its operations across , , and distribution. Steelcase's shares trade on the under the ticker symbol , with a of about $1.81 billion as of November 7, 2025. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, ending August 29, 2025, the company achieved revenue of $897.1 million, a 5% increase from the prior year, driven by strong order growth. The company's global presence spans operations in over 80 countries, enabling it to serve diverse markets with localized solutions. Steelcase maintains manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe (including France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic), and Asia, optimizing production for regional efficiency. Distribution occurs through approximately 790 dealer locations worldwide, complemented by direct online sales via platforms such as store.steelcase.com. On August 4, 2025, HNI Corporation announced its agreement to acquire Steelcase for approximately $2.2 billion in a cash-and-stock transaction, pending and regulatory approvals. The deal, expected to close by the end of calendar year 2025, will form a combined entity with annual of approximately $5.8 billion, enhancing scale in the workplace solutions industry.

History

Origins and Early Development (1912–1954)

Steelcase was founded on March 16, 1912, in , as the Metal Office Furniture Company by Peter M. Wege and a group of investors, with the primary goal of producing fire-resistant metal alternatives to wooden office furniture, which posed significant fire hazards in early 20th-century workplaces heated by open-flame gas lamps and stoves. The company began operations with just 15 employees and a modest capital of $75,000, initially manufacturing metal filing cabinets and safes on contract for other furniture makers like Macey Furniture Company. This focus on metal construction addressed the era's pressing safety concerns, as wooden desks and wastebaskets were prone to igniting in crowded urban offices. In 1914, the company secured its first for the "Victor" steel wastebasket, a durable, fireproof design that quickly became a bestseller and exemplified Metal Office Furniture's commitment to practical innovations for office . This product not only reduced risks but also established the company's for reliable metal goods, with early sales driven by demonstrations highlighting its superiority over flammable wooden alternatives. By , the firm had expanded its offerings to include metal desks and chairs, positioning itself as a leader in durable office equipment amid growing demand from businesses transitioning to modern workspaces. A notable milestone came in 1937 when Metal Office Furniture Company partnered with architect to manufacture custom furniture for the headquarters in , producing innovative pieces that integrated Wright's organic design principles with the company's metal fabrication expertise. This collaboration marked one of the earliest high-profile architectural integrations of the company's products, showcasing metal furniture's versatility in landmark buildings. Post-World War II, in 1946, the company introduced the Multiple 15 desk series, a modular system featuring standardized 15-inch increments for pedestals and surfaces, which revolutionized space planning in open offices and became an industry benchmark for adaptable metal furniture. These desks emphasized durability and configurability, setting standards that influenced subsequent office layouts. In 1968, Steelcase introduced the Mobiles system, featuring flexible panels and storage for customizable open offices. By 1954, reflecting its established emphasis on steel-based solutions, the Metal Office Furniture Company officially rebranded as Steelcase, Inc., a name first trademarked in 1921 but now adopted to encapsulate its core identity and market leadership in metal office products. This change solidified the company's foundational innovations during its early decades, laying the groundwork for broader industry impact without venturing into post-rebranding expansions.

Growth and Innovation (1954–1998)

Following the 1954 rebranding to Steelcase Inc., the company experienced significant expansion, particularly in the 1970s when it entered international markets in , , and to meet growing global demand for office furniture. This period marked accelerated industrial growth, including large-scale projects such as furnishing the Tower in in 1973 with 43,565 pieces of Series 9000 furniture across 400 truckloads, demonstrating Steelcase's capacity for massive installations. A pivotal came in 1973 with the launch of the Series 9000, a modular systems furniture line featuring customizable panels, wiring integration, and adaptable components that set an industry benchmark for flexible workspaces. This product quickly became Steelcase's flagship offering and a bestseller, enabling efficient reconfiguration of environments and contributing to the company's dominance in systems furniture. In 1993, Steelcase introduced the brand, targeted at small businesses with affordable, versatile furniture solutions to broaden its market reach beyond large corporate clients. Complementing this, the 1988 acquisition of Designtex provided expertise in textiles and upholstery, enhancing Steelcase's ability to offer integrated, aesthetically advanced office designs. Steelcase's workforce and facilities expanded substantially during this era, growing from localized operations to multiple manufacturing plants in the Grand Rapids area and international sites; by 1997, it employed over 8,200 people in ten Grand Rapids-area plants and more than 19,000 worldwide, supported by over 20 million square feet of production space. Culminating this phase, Steelcase went public in 1998 through an on the under the ticker SCS, issuing 12 million shares and transitioning to a broader base to fuel further .

Public Company and Modern Challenges (1998–2025)

Steelcase went public on the in February 1998 under the SCS, marking a significant transition from its employee-owned structure to a publicly traded entity that enabled broader capital access for global expansion. In April 2006, the company launched Nurture by Steelcase, a dedicated healthcare division focused on creating environments for patient care and wellness settings, later rebranded as Steelcase Health in 2014. Following the (IPO), the company pursued strategic expansions, including the acquisition of Softcare Innovations Inc., a Canadian healthcare furnishings manufacturer, in September 2006 to bolster its healthcare offerings. Additional post-IPO growth included the acquisition of Ultra Group Company, a UK-based office furniture provider, in September 2007, enhancing Steelcase's European footprint amid increasing international demand. The 2008 global financial crisis posed substantial challenges, prompting extensive restructuring to address declining sales and operational inefficiencies. In December 2008, Steelcase announced job cuts of 600 positions; in early 2009, the company announced additional cuts of up to 900 positions overall, alongside facility consolidations and restructuring charges totaling millions, as office furniture demand plummeted due to economic contraction. These measures, including plant closures in North America, helped stabilize operations, with the company reporting its first profit since 2008 by September 2010. In response to evolving workplace dynamics, Steelcase renovated its Grand Rapids headquarters between 2010 and 2013, culminating in the "Connect 12" initiative launched in 2012, which redesigned spaces to foster collaboration and mobility based on internal research into modern work practices. The accelerated shifts toward remote and hybrid work, leading Steelcase to invest in research and policy adaptations to support flexible office environments post-2020. The company conducted global studies, such as the 2021 report on changing work expectations, revealing that over half of workers anticipated hybrid arrangements, prompting investments in solutions that integrate physical and . Concurrently, Steelcase achieved operational carbon neutrality in 2020 by financing verified offset projects and reducing emissions by more than 30% over the prior decade, aligning with science-based targets to become carbon negative across operations by 2030. This milestone integrated briefly with broader efforts, emphasizing reduced environmental impact in supply chains and operations. By the mid-2020s, persistent disruptions—exacerbated by global events and volatility—and market uncertainties in the office furniture sector, including fluctuating demand amid hybrid work trends, intensified pressures on profitability. These challenges culminated in the announcement on August 4, 2025, that HNI Corporation would acquire Steelcase in a $2.2 billion cash-and-stock deal, aiming to create a leading North American provider through combined strengths in innovation and distribution. The transaction, expected to close by year-end pending regulatory approvals, includes a vote scheduled for December 5, 2025, for both companies.

Products

Iconic Designs and Product Lines

Steelcase has developed several iconic products that have shaped modern office environments, emphasizing , modularity, and functionality. Among these, the Leap chair, introduced in 1999, stands out as a pioneering designed to support natural spinal movement. Featuring LiveBack technology, which flexes to mimic the spine's motion and provide continuous support, the Leap was backed by extensive involving 732 participants across four universities and 27 scientists. It is protected by more than 40 U.S. utility patents and more than 15 design patents and achieved significant commercial success, with reports of over 5,000 units sold weekly during its first full year of availability. Building on ergonomic advancements, the Gesture chair, launched in 2013, was informed by a global posture study observing over 2,000 participants across 11 countries. This research identified nine new postures driven by mobile technology use, leading to a design that supports multiple sitting postures, including upright, reclining, and tablet viewing, as well as up to 10 natural body positions through 360-degree adjustable armrests and a core support technology that promotes natural body relaxation via an equalizing mechanism for balanced recline. The Gesture addresses the limitations of traditional chairs by accommodating leaning, reaching, and perching, promoting sustained comfort during varied tasks, and is highly durable for extended use. In workspace systems, the Series 9000, introduced in 1973, revolutionized open-plan offices with its modular panel-based design, offering flexibility for partitioning and integrating worksurfaces, storage, and wiring. This system supported the rise of information-age offices by enabling customizable layouts that balanced and , becoming one of Steelcase's most enduring furniture lines. Steelcase's product portfolio also encompasses broader categories essential to office functionality. Seating options, such as the Think chair, provide weight-activated mechanisms for intuitive adjustment and sustainable materials, catering to multi-user environments. Storage solutions include versatile filing systems and cabinets that optimize space in diverse settings. Casegoods, like desks and tables, facilitate collaborative spaces with durable, adaptable surfaces for team-oriented work. One notable challenge in Steelcase's product history was the 2016 recall of approximately 17,000 chairs, manufactured between 2005 and 2015, due to screws detaching between the seat, back, and base, posing a fall hazard; the issue was resolved through free repairs and subsequent redesigns. These iconic designs have evolved into newer models that continue to influence contemporary office solutions.

Recent Innovations

In 2019, Steelcase introduced the SILQ chair, a breakthrough in ergonomic seating that eliminates traditional levers and mechanisms in favor of intuitive textile-based adjustments. The chair's flexible arms and live-back design respond dynamically to the user's body movements, providing automatic support while allowing for simple manual seat-height adjustment. This simplifies user interaction and accommodates a wide range of postures without complex controls, earning recognition such as the 2019 Red Dot Award for its material and design advancements. Steelcase has advanced hybrid work environments through the Flex Collection, a modular furniture system launched to support reconfigurable spaces for and individual focus. The collection integrates with AI-driven technologies and sensors to optimize utilization, such as partnering with VergeSense for real-time occupancy data that informs space planning in dynamic settings. These features enable seamless adaptation to remote and in-office interactions, enhancing equity in hybrid meetings via tools like AI-powered cameras compatible with platforms such as . In the healthcare sector, Steelcase Health has developed adaptable patient room solutions since the mid-2010s, with notable recent additions like the Surround Collection introduced in 2023. This line includes multifunctional sleeper sofas that convert between seating, sleeping surfaces, and storage units, supporting family members during extended stays while prioritizing infection control and ease of cleaning. These designs foster holistic care environments by allowing flexible configurations that accommodate patients, clinicians, and visitors without compromising safety or comfort. Steelcase's 2020s product lines emphasize through increased use of recycled materials, aligning with the company's net-zero emissions goals by 2050. For instance, the firm doubled the recycled content in high-performance task chairs such as the Series 1, Leap, and models by substituting virgin plastics with recycled and other post-consumer materials, without sacrificing durability. The Series 1 chair, introduced as an eco-conscious entry point to premium ergonomic seating, features responsive adjustments through LiveBack technology and adaptive bolstering for essential movement support, along with a 12-year limited lifetime warranty covering multi-shift and 24/7 parts usage. This approach, detailed in the 2025 Impact Report, extends to broader lines like , which incorporates recycled PET fibers, reducing environmental impact while maintaining product integrity. Complementing these physical innovations, Steelcase offers digital tools for workspace optimization, including the Workplace Advisor platform, a cloud-based system for space analytics that leverages data to track utilization patterns. Evolving from initial IoT integrations in , the platform provides actionable insights for facility managers to refine hybrid layouts, with ongoing enhancements in the mid-2020s supporting AI-enhanced reporting on employee behaviors and space efficiency. At NeoCon 2024, Steelcase expanded its offerings with the Ocular collection, including Sightline tables and View extended-reality experiences to improve hybrid meeting equity; the Orangebox Campers & Dens pods for configurable privacy; Wright-inspired Rockford and Galesburg furniture lines; and the Coalesse Ensemble modular lounge system with integrated power. In 2025, the company introduced the Mackinac height-adjustable workspace, designed for small collaborative areas or private offices accommodating 2-3 people.

Brands and Acquisitions

Core Brands

Steelcase's flagship brand centers on premium office systems that integrate research-driven to enhance user and in professional environments. Drawing from extensive studies, the brand develops adaptable furniture and spatial solutions, such as height-adjustable desks and modular workstations, to support diverse work styles in corporate settings. This emphasis on positions Steelcase as a leader in creating sustainable, high-performance offices. Turnstone, established in 1993 as a Steelcase division, caters to startups and small businesses by offering affordable, versatile furniture that accommodates evolving needs in informal and collaborative spaces. The brand prioritizes simplicity and value, with standout products like the collection—a modular system inspired by casual gathering spots, including lounge seating, tables, and lighting to encourage creativity and team interaction without high costs. Turnstone's approach reflects an entrepreneurial ethos, enabling smaller organizations to build inspiring environments that rival larger enterprises. Designtex serves as Steelcase's dedicated textiles and fabrics brand, delivering sustainable and wallcovering options for seamless custom integrations across designs. With more than 60 years in the industry, it focuses on innovative, low-impact materials—such as PFAS-free fabrics and energy-recycling textiles like CELLIANT®—to balance , , and environmental responsibility in commercial applications. Designtex's portfolio supports broader Steelcase offerings by providing tailored, eco-conscious surfaces that elevate workspace functionality and style. Orangebox, a UK-origin brand integrated into the Steelcase family, specializes in premium seating for agile, modern workplaces, with notable lines like Reply and Move that promote natural movement and adaptability. The Reply chair, for instance, features intuitive controls for synchronized recline and height adjustment to accommodate dynamic postures, while the Move series offers stackable, lightweight options for flexible configurations in collaborative areas. Orangebox emphasizes "Smartworking" principles, combining acoustic privacy, contemporary design, and commercial durability to foster innovative team cultures. Collectively, these core brands enable Steelcase to address distinct market segments: the Steelcase brand for enterprise-level ergonomic systems, for budget-conscious growth companies, Designtex for material-driven customization, and Orangebox for seating innovations in hybrid work settings. This diversified portfolio allows targeted solutions that align with varying organizational scales and priorities.

Subsidiary Companies

Steelcase has expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions of companies, each bringing specialized expertise to niche markets and enhancing the parent company's offerings in customizable, sector-specific furniture solutions. AMQ Solutions, acquired in 2017, specializes in height-adjustable desking, benching systems, and customizable casegoods that allow for personalized configurations. This integration has enabled Steelcase to offer more affordable and adaptable products, targeting small-to-medium businesses and supporting hybrid work trends by facilitating easy reconfiguration of workspaces. Coalesse, formed in by merging Steelcase subsidiaries Brayton International, Metro Furniture, and Vecta, focuses on luxury furniture for , residential, and upscale environments. Post-integration, it has bridged traditional with and aesthetics, providing premium textiles, seating, and tables that emphasize comfort and style in evolving work-from-anywhere scenarios. Halcon, acquired in 2022, delivers modular wood furniture designed for dynamic educational and collaborative settings, including adaptable tables with protective edges for active learning spaces. Its incorporation has strengthened Steelcase's education portfolio by introducing high-quality, sustainable materials that support flexible classroom layouts and student-centered environments. Smith System, purchased in 2018, is a leading provider of flexible school furniture for K-12 and higher education, featuring movable desks and collaborative seating that promote interactive teaching. Following the acquisition, it has integrated seamlessly to expand Steelcase's reach in educational markets, offering durable, ergonomic solutions that enhance engagement and adaptability in learning spaces. Viccarbe, a Spanish brand acquired in 2021, contributes high-end seating and modular systems with a contemporary European flair, including upholstered chairs and benches for premium lounges. This addition has enriched Steelcase's global aesthetic diversity, enabling tailored, upscale solutions for international clients in corporate and sectors. Steelcase Health, formerly known as Nurture and established in 2006 before rebranding in 2014, develops healthcare-specific products such as movable walls and patient-centered furnishings to improve clinical environments. Its evolution within Steelcase has focused on evidence-based designs that prioritize , , and workflow efficiency in medical facilities.

Corporate Culture

Employee and Workplace Initiatives

Steelcase maintains a dedicated initiative through its WorkSpace Futures group, which studies global workplace trends and behaviors to inform organizational strategies and product development. Established in , this strategic insights team comprises researchers, strategists, and futurists who conduct primary with business leaders worldwide to identify evolving challenges in work environments, such as hybrid collaboration and employee . The company emphasizes comprehensive that promote diversity, inclusion, and workplace flexibility, including equitable access to opportunities and support for varied workstyles. Steelcase fosters a of inclusion by building diverse teams and enhancing perceptions of belonging, which contributes to higher employee satisfaction and . In 2025, Comparably rated Steelcase's overall A+, placing it in the top 5% of similar-sized companies based on employee feedback regarding and perks. Steelcase invests in employee through programs like the internal ENGAGE initiative, which combines formal with practical application to accelerate new leaders' success. Post-2020, the company has supported hybrid work transitions by developing for managers to address biases and enhance in distributed teams, drawing from its own on effective hybrid environments. Between 2010 and 2013, Steelcase renovated its Grand Rapids headquarters as part of the "Connect 12" project, transforming the campus into a living for agile design. This initiative reduced footprint by 48% while creating flexible spaces like shared workstations and a central WorkCafé hub to test mobile workstyles and foster innovation among employees. The redesign served as a for user-centered strategies, influencing both internal culture and external client solutions. In 2025, Steelcase was named one of America's 50 Most by , recognizing its eighth consecutive year of strong employee volunteerism and partnerships that align with internal culture goals.

Art Collection and

Steelcase maintains a corporate collection developed over decades to enrich its workspaces and foster creativity among employees. The collection features diverse artworks displayed throughout company offices, serving as a visual stimulus that promotes cultural inclusivity and reflects global perspectives in . By curating pieces that represent varied backgrounds, Steelcase uses to signal belonging and broaden worldviews within its environments. A notable example of Steelcase's cultural preservation efforts is the restoration of the Meyer May House, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Prairie-style home in . Acquired in , the company undertook a meticulous two-year restoration project completed in 1987, returning the 1909 structure to its original condition while demolishing later additions and restoring intricate details like windows and built-in furniture. Today, the house operates as a public museum, offering guided tours that highlight Wright's architectural principles and Steelcase's commitment to . In Grand Rapids, Steelcase engages deeply with local communities through partnerships focused on education and the arts, primarily via the Steelcase Foundation. The foundation supports organizations like the West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT), providing grants and collaborative programs that empower youth through creative education and skill-building initiatives. These efforts aim to advance equity and access to quality opportunities in the region. Additionally, Steelcase expanded its community presence with the opening of the Chicago WorkLife Center in June 2025, a 28,000-square-foot facility in the Fulton Market district designed to showcase innovative workspaces while hosting events that explore community-driven design solutions. Steelcase's philanthropy aligns with its corporate purpose of creating spaces for human connection, including annual charitable giving exceeding $10 million and robust employee volunteer programs. In fiscal year 2025, the company facilitated 72 volunteer projects and 186 employee-led initiatives, often tied to local nonprofits in areas like and cultural development. This approach not only supports growth but also inspires internal by integrating artistic and civic elements into workplace culture.

Sustainability and Impact

Environmental Goals and Achievements

Steelcase achieved carbon neutrality across its operations on August 25, 2020, becoming the first company in the contract furniture industry to do so by financing verified carbon offset projects and purchasing equivalent to 100% of its global electricity consumption for Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Building on this, the company set a goal to become carbon negative by 2030 through aggressive emissions reductions in its operations and continued use of offsets, while aiming for net-zero emissions across its full value chain by 2050. The company's 2025 Impact Report outlines progress toward these net-zero ambitions, including a 31% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2020, positioning Steelcase on track to achieve a 50% reduction by 2030. It also reports a 37% decrease in Scope 3 emissions from , , , and travel over the same period, alongside the sale of over 15,000 CarbonNeutral® certified products since 2023, which avoided more than 2,400 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent. These advancements are supported by ongoing investments in , maintaining 100% equivalence for operational electricity needs. In material innovations, Steelcase has redesigned its high-performance seating portfolio to incorporate double the recycled content compared to previous models, reducing embodied carbon while advancing circular principles. Many products now feature up to 98% recyclable content, enabling easy disassembly for end-of-life recovery. To foster a , Steelcase partners with service providers through its Circular by Steelcase program, which includes product take-back initiatives for , repair, , and to minimize waste and extend product lifecycles. Steelcase holds several key environmental certifications, including ongoing status as an EPA Green Power Partner—a founding member since 2013 that ranked in the top 30 largest 100% green power users in the U.S. in 2018 and received the EPA's Green Power Leadership Award in 2014. Its facilities have earned certifications, such as Platinum for the Steelcase Innovation Center in 2013 and standard for the Worklife Center in that same year. For , Steelcase has tracked and reported Scope 3 emissions across ten categories annually since 2015 through the CDP program, achieving leaderboard status for supplier engagement since 2021. Post-2020 efforts include enhanced supplier and collaboration on , such as audits and renewable energy credit participation, to address indirect emissions and align with science-based targets.

Social Responsibility Efforts

Steelcase has demonstrated a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, earning a of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's for over a decade, including the 2023-2024 and 2025 editions, recognizing its policies supporting LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The company has also advanced equity on its board, achieving more than 50% women directors, which earned special recognition from the Women's Forum of New York in 2023 as one of only 78 and companies with such representation. These efforts extend to fostering inclusion through initiatives like Business Inclusion Group events, which engaged over 2,000 employees in FY2025 to promote cultural understanding and support for underrepresented groups in design and operations. In its 2025 Impact Report, Steelcase emphasized community thriving by prioritizing inclusion and integrity, with 81.5% of salaried employees reporting that core values are lived daily, guiding equitable practices across global operations. The company supports underrepresented communities through 186 partnerships in 35 locations worldwide, including targeted programs to enhance access and representation in fields. Ethical practices underpin these commitments, as outlined in Steelcase's Global Human and Labor Rights Policy, which promotes respect for and prohibits forced labor, alongside a Supplier that mandates fair labor, measures, and regular global human rights assessments in the supply chain. In FY2025, 100% of charitable donations aligned with , totaling $10.4 million, with $2.7 million directly from Steelcase initiatives. Education outreach forms a key pillar, with Steelcase leveraging its Smith System brand to partner with schools in creating equitable learning spaces that support diverse student needs and promote inclusive . These collaborations focus on designing flexible environments for K-12 settings to address equity gaps, as part of broader efforts like the Equity in Education Challenge. Employee wellbeing programs complement this, providing support through comprehensive services covering emotional and financial health, alongside global volunteer opportunities that initiated 72 community projects in FY2025 to build local impact and employee purpose.

Awards and Recognition

Corporate Awards

Steelcase has received numerous accolades for its business practices, leadership, and overall performance since 2020, highlighting its commitment to ethical operations, employee well-being, and corporate responsibility. In 2025, Steelcase was recognized on Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies list for the 19th consecutive year, ranking first in the Home Equipment and Furnishings category based on evaluations of innovation, social responsibility, and management quality. Previously, in 2018, the company placed third in the same category. Steelcase achieved a perfect score of 100 on the Foundation's 2025 , earning the Equality 100 Award for its comprehensive LGBTQ+ inclusive policies, benefits, and practices. Steelcase received the Winning “W” Company designation from the 2020 Women on Boards campaign for maintaining at least 20% women on its , a status it has sustained ongoing through 2025 with women comprising over 50% of board seats to promote diversity in . For the eighth consecutive year in 2025, Steelcase was named one of America's 50 Most Community-Minded Companies by Points of Light's Civic 50 initiative, recognizing its extensive community investments, including over 169 partnerships and $10.4 million in charitable giving during fiscal year 2025.

Product and Design Awards

Steelcase has garnered numerous accolades for its innovative product designs, particularly in the realm of office furniture and workspace solutions that emphasize , flexibility, and user-centric mechanics. These awards highlight the company's commitment to advancing design through practical, intuitive features that enhance workplace functionality. In 2014, at the NeoCon trade show, Steelcase received a Best of NeoCon Silver Award in the Office Accessories category for the SOTO II Worktools, a modular designed to support collaborative and individual tasks with versatile storage and connectivity options. The same event honored the LessThanFive Chair, a lightweight carbon fiber seating solution weighing under five pounds, with another Silver Award for its exceptional strength and portability in multi-use environments. Additionally, the Susan Cain Quiet Spaces collection earned an Editor's Choice award for its architectural enclosures tailored to support introverted work styles through varied privacy and focus zones, while the #Sewell from Designtex, integrated with Steelcase offerings, also received Editor's Choice recognition for its innovations in workspace aesthetics. The company's showroom design also excelled in 2018 at NeoCon, winning the Best Large Showroom award (over 4,000 square feet) for its expanded WorkLife experience, which integrated multiple Steelcase brands to demonstrate immersive, adaptive office layouts. This accolade underscored the design's role in showcasing product for modern work settings. By 2019, Steelcase's SILQ chair achieved the prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best award in Product Design, celebrating its patent-pending polymer weave that enables intuitive, adjustment-free movement in response to the user's body dynamics. This recognition emphasized the chair's breakthrough in sustainable, tool-less mechanics for prolonged comfort. In 2021, Steelcase Learning's Elbrook Table Collection secured a Best of NeoCon Gold award in the Tables: Task category, along with an Innovation award and HiP Honoree status, for its mobile, organic design that facilitates fluid collaboration in learning and hybrid environments. The Work Tents product also earned a HiP Award at the same event for its adaptable, pop-up enclosure supporting remote and in-person interactions. These honors reflected Steelcase's focus on versatile furnishings amid evolving work models. Continuing into 2025, Steelcase's Y Collection received a Red Dot Award in for its affordable, foldable desks on castors, optimized for young professionals in compact, dynamic spaces that blend office and home use in hybrid scenarios. This award affirmed the collection's balance of flexibility, cost-efficiency, and collaborative potential.

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