Steelcase, a global office environments manufacturer, today announced the launch of Workspring, a highly-designed meeting space located in Chicago to offer a high-performance, off-site work environment for groups and teams. Workspring provides a reasonably-priced alternative for companies in need of off-site space amidst shrinking real estate footprints, pressure to reduce fixed expenses, and a shift to more collaborative work to solve complex problems.
As multi-national organizations increasingly employ workers from a variety of countries under one roof, they are often faced with culture clashes between employees rooted in their national differences. Upon completion of a three-year exploration study on the relationship between national culture and office space, Steelcase, a global office environments manufacturer, releases the “Office Code".
Steelcase was incorporated as the “Metal Office Furniture Company” on March 16, 1912, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company specialized in filling cabinets and safes, came out with a revolutionary idea: manufacturing furniture from a metal sheet.
With more than 500 product lines marketed worldwide, Steelcase has set up a strong production network currently comprised of 31 facilities. In Europe, there are six Steelcase plants three in France (Marlenheim, Sarrebourg and Wisches), two in Germany (Durlangen, and Rosenheim) and one in Spain (Madrid).
Ergonomics is the relationship between people, their equipment and the tasks they perform. At Steelcase, ergonomics is perceived as a tool intended to improve not only comfort but also performance.
For nearly 100 years, Steelcase has been developing a range of innovative products. They all demonstrate the company’s commitment to provide a better work experience. All Steelcase products are founded on a deep and unparalleled understanding of user needs and changing workstyles.
If you ask Brett Kincaid, Director of Design, Steelcase International, who specifically designed that particular chair or workbench, the answer will come straight away: "The design is never done by A or B, but by Steelcase. We're a team, and we function as a team".
A new office is always a tremendous opportunity to redefine communication, culture and processes within a company. In this respect, the office becomes a powerful management tool that enables the company to foster innovation and to build up a more creative and productive organization: A strategic asset that has a strong impact on daily business results.
At Steelcase, Lean is perceived as a holistic concept based on listening to and satisfying the customer. It includes lean in the office and lean manufacturing.
Allan Smith of Steelcase Inc. was ranked seventy-ninth in the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics listing by Ethisphere Magazine, a global publication dedicated to illuminating the important correlation between ethics and profit. The list of individuals, which appeared in the Q4 issue in December 2007, were recognized for inspiring change in business ethics.