Priority Wins 2011 Product Innovation Award
We are thrilled to announce that Priority has just received the 2011 Product innovation Award from Architectural Products Magazine.
The expanded portfolio of Priority includes benching and tables as well as height adjustable legs and other new design elements. The newest additions to the Priority line will be available on November 15, 2011.
Sleek, technology-enabled benching, height-adjustable tables, ingenious storage elements, and purely fresh aesthetics make Priority the perfect solution for supporting diverse work styles...now and well into the future.
Priority makes it simple to create the ideal work environment across an entire facility.
Stay on Budget, and Look Good Doing it with Itsa Seating!
Introducing Itsa seating! From individual desks, to team spaces, to conference rooms, Itsa delivers value and comfort. This stylish, value conscious line of task chairs can outfit your entire space.
Itsa includes two base models, to allow for comfort for taller users and petite users...and everyone in between.
Itsa seating has the versatility to conform to any body type and all settings.
Not only is Itsa comfortable and budget friendly, it is quick! You can order Itsa through the Kwik Office program and the chairs will be available within 5 days.
Stay on budget and on schedule, with Itsa seating.
Hero. Just for You. Seating - Available in 5 Days
The high performance Hero task chair and a complementary Hero guest chair have been added to the Kwik Office program. Both are now available in 5 days! A truly intuitive chair, Hero's comfort and style will complete any space with an agile, slim-line form that automatically adjusts to every user.
Hero joins the Kimball Office | interstuhl Campos task chair in the Kwik Office offering.
There's no need to settle for office furniture that might not work for you, just to get it fast. Kwik Office doesn't mean limited choice.
Kimball Office provides a broad selection of desks, storage, filing, tables, desk chairs, and side chairs, ready to ship within five business days. (10 days for systems and metal filing)
Winner of 2011 Vacation Getaway Announced
Congrats to Susan from Klawiter and Associates, Inc., in California!! She was selected as the winner of our Vacation Getaway to any Four Seasons Resort, including airfare and spending cash (valued at $5,000).
Susan (middle) was thrilled when Marike Smith (left) and Bob Nordin (right) of Kimball Office surprised her with the exciting news.
Susan will be taking a vacation to where she wants, when she wants...courtesy of Kimball Office!
Thank you to everyone who registered to win this prize at the Chicago Event and also through our online contest. If you weren't able to visit the Chicago Event, be sure to catch up on the product previews, introductions, showroom tour, videos, and photos from the event.
Great Chicago Event 2011 a HUGE Success!
Thousands of designers and facility managers descended upon Chicago, June 13 to 15, and the Kimball Office showroom, 325 N. Wells Street. Visitors experienced many new offerings on display in the Chicago showroom that support designers' and organizations' sustainability efforts and demands for versatility.
In addition to unveiling several new products, Kimball Office is provided free demonstrations of the ecoScorecard online platform, which allows users to identify and manage the key environmental attributes of specific manufacturers' products. The system is compatible with all major third-party rating systems, and updates automatically as rating systems change.
For more information about Kimball Offices key environmental attributes,
View Kimball Office sustainability information
View more information, videos, and photos from the Chicago Event
If you weren't able to visit the Kimball Office Chicago Showroom this week, you can still enter online for the show grand prize giveaway - a $5,000 getaway to any Four Seasons Hotel and Resort, including airfare and spending cash.
Itsa Coming...a task chair solution for your day-to-day seating needs
Kimball Office is excited to introduce Itsa, a new cost-friendly, multi-purpose task chair that transitions seamlessly throughout any busy work environment. The line will be available for purchase in August and previewed at the Kimball Office Chicago Showroom, at 325 N. Wells Street, beginning June 13th.
Itsa includes two base models, both with height adjustable arms, standard knee-tilt control, black mid-back mesh, a black polyurethane base with 55-millimeter casters, and your choice of a rounded or square seat. Additional options include a seat slider, synchro-tilt control, and height and width-adjustable arms.
This wide selection of features allows Itsa to fit small stature and taller users, and everyone in between. Five seat color choices of black, burgundy, navy, charcoal, and sand, can be available in as little as five days through Kimball Office's quick ship program,
Kwik Office.
Various upholstery or leather options from Kimball Office's new Vision collection can also be specified.
Checkout surface material options for the Itsa chair
ALL Kimball Office Manufactured Products are level 2 or 3 Certified
Kimball Office Outpaces level 3 Offerings to the Industry by More Than Three Times!
If you're looking for Eco-Friendly Products, Kimball Office is your answer! 100% of all Kimball Office manufactured products are now ANSI/BIFMA level 2 or 3 Certified, including all casegoods, systems, tables, and seating. Level 3 is the highest certification under the current ANSI/BIFMA program.
The BIFMA level program establishes measurable performance criteria to address environmental aspects of product manufacturing throughout the supply chain, including the areas of materials, use of energy, human and ecosystem health, and social responsibility.
The level certification program allows facility managers, architects, and designers to evaluate products using a 'level' playing field, based upon the product and manufacturer's environmental and social impact.
View the fact sheet that details Kimball Office level certifications by product.
Click on the play button below to listen to the audio press conference, recorded May 16, 2011.
Kimball Office donates over 1,000 shoes and $4,000 to Soles4Souls
Because millions of people around the world go without shoes, Kimball® Office urged its employees to make room in their closets by donating gently used shoes, and money, to benefit Soles4Soles. Since January, Kimball Office has collected over 1000 pairs of shoes and more than $4,000.
"Soles4Souls provides someone with a pair of shoes every seven seconds," said Allen Parker, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Kimball Office. "Our employees and partners easily rallied around the Soles4Souls program because it has such a universal reach and direct effect on the recipients."
Soles4Souls is a nonprofit charity based in Nashville, Tenn., and since 2005 has provided nearly 12 million pairs of new or gently worn shoes to people in more than 125 countries. Shoe donations come from individuals, organizations, and large footwear companies.
"To complete the donation drive, our logistics operations provided a truck fleet to deliver the shoes to the organization's distribution warehouse in Alabama," added Parker. "It's been humbling to see our company come together to help so many people."
Read more about Soles4Souls
Find Surface Materials quickly, easily, and with the info you want!
Does your client want blue upholstery that would work great in their education space? Are you needing to specify a striped seating fabric that is easy to clean, and also durable, for a healthcare environment? Now you can easily find the answers to these and many other material challenges with the new Kimball Office surface materials webpages!
If you're unsure of what works together, Kimball Office makes material selection simple by providing recommendations on material options. With various material combinations, including woods, paints, panel and upholstery fabrics, in colors that coordinate and complement, you get a jump start on making your surface material decisions. Palette suggestions can be easily printed to share the surface material ideas with your customer!
Check out the new online surface material information
ANEW Partnership Lets You Reuse or Recycle Furniture
Kimball Office is pleased to announce a partnership with Asset Network for Education Worldwide (ANEW). ANEW accepts donations including carpet, ceiling, doors, hardware, and all furniture, issuing the provider with a USGBC LEED Certificate and a tax receipt.
ANEW then coordinates the donation to benefit schools, non-profit organizations, communities, and public agencies. By reusing furniture, waste sent to landfills is reduced. Since 2006, ANEW has helped divert over 1,900 tons of furniture from landfills. If furniture is not suited for reuse, ANEW ensures the items are recycled appropriately.
Read more about the Kimball Office partnership with ANEW
Kimball Office Partners with ecoScorecard
Like us, many of our customers are concerned about the environment and are looking for opportunities to create greener buildings. However, gathering all the documentation necessary to complete LEED applications can be tedious, cumbersome, and very time-consuming. Now, Kimball Office and ecoScorecard are making it easier.
We have made the decision to partner with ecoScorecard so that Architects, Designers, Dealers, and Facility Managers can easily identify and compare key environmental attributes of specific products. ecoScorecard is a web based tool that provides environmental product information and sustainability documentation for LEED and other third-party rating systems. ecoScorecard also includes information on other building components that contribute to a sustainable office space.
"Green building practices are becoming more common, and by partnering with ecoScorecard, we are ensuring that designers, dealers, and clients can easily access and calculate our products' green attributes any day of the week and at any time," explained Allen Parker, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, for Kimball Office.
By compiling sustainable information from a single source, hours, weeks, and sometimes months can be reduced in the documentation process for new construction or remodel projects. This time savings can contribute to reduced project costs for building owners, architects, designers, product specifiers, and dealer salespersons.
Workplace Strategies Summit is a Success!
Now more than ever, companies need to house employees without increasing real estate space or costs. Today, the current square footage for an employee is 380', and the trend is to reduce that space to under 200'. Companies are looking for creative solutions and have begun implementing Alternative Workplace Strategies (AWS).
Kimball Office recently held the Workplace Strategies Summit at the Los Angeles showroom to create an open forum to discuss details and real life experiences of AWS. Peers and experts exchanged views of their current workplace environments and the movement toward AWS. A panel of experts in the field of AWS fielded questions and aided with discussions.
Attendees commented that they now realize the importance of a variety of work place options. Participants found creative ways to increase the effectiveness of their company's work place environment by using AWS while improving work-life balance.
For additional images from the Workplace Strategies Summit, visit our Flickr page.
Kimball Office partners with ICE Edge Business Solutions
Kimball Office is excited to announce the signing of a strategic partnership agreement with ICE Edge Business Solutions, the leader in intelligent 3D design software. ICE Edge Business Solutions is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. With this partnership, Kimball Office products are now included on the ICE software catalogs.
ICE is a specification tool that includes symbols for various office furniture manufacturers, including specification details for manufacturers of movable walls and access floors. For dealers currently utilizing ICE for specification tasks, Kimball Office symbols are now included in catalog updates.
ICE integrates well with other industry standard tools to create high quality renderings and a virtual walk through of an office setting. ICE also integrates with Revit Architecture and Google SketchUp, and ICE Edge Business Solutions is currently working on integration with Office Sales (e-magine) software from 20-20 Technologies.
Kimball Office symbols and information will continue to be included in the monthly catalog updates from 20-20 Technologies for CAP, Giza, Office Sales (e-magine) and Worksheet.
Information about ICE licensing, or the Kimball Office data included in ICE, can be obtained directly from ICE Edge Business Solutions at 1-888-423-0995, via email (sales@ice-edge.com), or from the ICE Edge Business Solutions website.
Seven Seating Lines Earn BIFMA level Certification
Seven Kimball Office | interstuhl seating lines, recently received level certification by the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA). With the addition
of
Axos ,
Campos ,
Fit ,
Hero. Just for You. ,
Mitos ,
Silver , and
Xantos ,
more than 98 percent of Kimball Office products meet BIFMA e3 level status.
"Both of our organizations have worked hard to ensure the products delivered to customers meet and exceed environmental expectations. We will continue our commitment to sustainability by encouraging and sharing green practices with all of our partners, vendors, and suppliers." said Jeff Fenwick, Vice President and General Manager at Kimball Office.
"Kimball Office and Interstuhl design safe, sustainable products, and we're excited to officially add this designation to the products within our partnership." said Steven Brewster, Director of Social Responsibility and Sustainability at Kimball Office.
This third-party certification process evaluates the environmental aspects of product manufacturing throughout the supply chain. Many layers of the process are reviewed, including general areas of materials and energy usage. The effects on human and ecosystem health are examined as well as overall corporate social responsibility. There are three levels of conformance, with each requiring specific prerequisites and optional credits. Level 3 is the highest level of certification.
Villa Lounge Collection-highly configurable and contemporary
Arrange, rearrange, sit back and admire.
In the fall, the highly configurable and contemporary lounge collection, Villa, will be introduced. This ideal solution for huddle rooms, lobbies, reception areas, and community spaces complements a variety of modern-looking furniture.
The clean lines and geometric shapes of Villa integrate comfort, functionality, and style.
A unique feature of the series is the ability to create free-form lounge configurations to meet the need for multiple niches, distinct groups, or individuals. This versatility is ideal for open plans and student or visitor lounges. Villa offers natural separation for efficient space division, as well as versatility for impromptu meetings, studying, and socializing.
"As the workforce adapts to alternative workplace strategies, with less emphasis on desks and more flexible space for mobile workers, Villa is a solution that easily adapts to changing work environments." said Jeff Fenwick, Vice President and General Manager, Kimball Office.
To experience the Villa collection, visit our Chicago showroom June 14-16 for a sneak peek. Can you feel it?
Six Kimball Office | Interstuhl Seating Lines Qualify for SCS Indoor Advantage Gold Level Certification
Axos,
Xantos,
Hero. Just for You.,
Silver,
Fit, and
Mitos
lines of seating recently received Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Indoor Advantage Gold Certification for their indoor air quality contribution. These six seating lines, from the Kimball Office | Interstuhl partnership, are recent introductions to the Kimball Office product line.
"Kimball Office strives to provide clients with safe, sustainable products; now we can officially include the Interstuhl lines as part of our green portfolio," said Jeff Fenwick, vice president and general manager at Kimball Office. "The Kimball Office | Interstuhl products were designed with the environment in mind, and its great to see them meet SCS Indoor Advantage Gold levels."
Not only did the chairs achieve gold level certification, all six lines also claimed two furniture emission points in the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard.
One of the largest contributions office furniture can make to a building's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is through indoor air quality, via low-emitting products. View the Sustainability section for additional information as well as SCS certificates for qualifying Kimball Office products.
Hero and Fit Win Good Design Award
Hero. Just for You and Fit seating lines have both been awarded GOOD DESIGN Awards from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies! Since 2001, Kimball Office has won nine GOOD DESIGN awards in seating, office systems and tables.
"It's a true honor when the hard work and thoughtful design of not one, but two, of our lines are recognized on an international stage by some of the best in the business", said Jeff Fenwick, vice president and general manager at Kimball Office. Unveiled in Chicago in 2009, the entire line of six new seating models (including Hero and Fit) from the Kimball Office | Interstuhl partnership have received rave reviews from the media and the industry alike.
With this award, Kimball Office | Interstuhl joins the ranks of several top international corporations and organizations including, 3M, Apple, Dyson, Microsoft, BMW, NASA, Nestle, Siemens, and VW.
"GOOD DESIGN is the singular, international design awards program the entire design and corporate world waits for each year," said Christian K. Narkiewicz-Laine, museum president, The Chicago Athenaeum, "GOOD DESIGN has immediate public recognition for the best new design produced worldwide. For the public, it's the seal of approval."
The Museum's historic Good Design program was founded in Chicago in 1950 and remains as the oldest and the world's most recognized program for design excellence. Submissions were received from the best and foremost design firms from over 40 countries.
About Fit
Fit is deceptively simple. It consists of "intelligent mesh" stretched over a cantilevered steel frame. However, the end result is an exceptionally comfortable chair that automatically conforms to even the slightest movement. The secret lies in the woven mesh fabric, which produces firmer and softer seating zones.
Learn more about Fit
About Hero. Just for You.
Heavy, light, tall, short: Hero. Just for You. uses multiple technologies to provide a personalized sit for individuals of all sizes and statures. Its autofit tilt mechanism senses the sitter's weight and automatically tensions the seat and backrest, while an integrated fine adjustment allows preferred resistance levels to be calibrated.
Learn more about Hero. Just for You.
Hum Research Book Receives "Red Dot" Design Award
Kimball Office has received a distinguished Red Dot "Best of the Best" award for the company's Hum research book.
The 40,000-word Hum research book, written and produced by the ALT Group, describes the creative development of the Hum. Minds at Work. furniture solution. The innovative and award-winning workspace system was designed by Formway, which is sold in the United States by Kimball Office.
Kimball Office is one of more than 6,000 participants from 42 countries that submitted material for consideration in one of the world's most prestigious design awards, only 471 works successfully passed the critical assessment of the international jury of experts. The Hum research book was presented with one of 56 Red Dot "Best of the Best" awards, ranking Kimball Office in the top 1 percent of all participants.
"As one of the top finishers in the Red Dot Design contest, we have poised Kimball Office and the Hum line at the forefront of international design," said Jeff Fenwick, vice president and general manager at Kimball Office. "Our strong brand presence coupled with our successful communication design positions Kimball Office as an industry expert now more than ever."
The Hum. Minds at Work. line is unique in its ability to eliminate context shifting and provide the workplace with an environment conducive to natural interactions and flexible workspace. The collection offers a clear definition of personal space while simultaneously encouraging a seamless transition to focused, collaborative work and meetings.
Beyond its most recent award achievement, the Hum research book has won five additional awards, including: Graphis Awards', Gold Award, United States; AIGA 365 Year in Design, Selection Award, United States; Best Awards, Gold Award, New Zealand; AIGA Awards, Distinction Award, Australia; and Design Week, Finalist Award, United Kingdom.
Hum receives Australian International Design Award
Formway Furniture's Design Studio has been honored with a prestigious Australian International Design Award. The award, presented at a gala event in Melbourne, went to Hum. Minds at Work, released by Kimball Office and Formway.
The work system was designed in response to an overwhelming desire in the business community to have collaborative workspaces that would increase performance in the work place. Hum is the sound of productivity and a team working well together.
The Australian International Design Awards, a division of Standards Australia, is recognized by the Australian Government and the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design [ICSID] as Australia's peak design assessment and promotion body. It also plays an important role in fostering a culture of design and innovation in Australia.
Formway CEO Alan Buckner is delighted with the award and its contribution toward Formway's growing global reputation. "Formway Furniture is proud to have achieved this significant recognition from our peers in the Australian design industry. We have a long and important history in Australia, and this award enhances our reputation for being a design-led business, with meaningful insight and understanding of workplace environments."
Hum stemmed from four years of research and development which included voice of the customer research, prototyping, and input from external experts. The project set out to deliver a product that would compete in the international furniture market. Hum is licensed for manufacture and distributed in the United States through Kimball Office and has been bought by a range of high profile clients in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
The Australian International Design award is the latest in a remarkable run of recognition that Formway Design has received for Hum. This includes a Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum, Best Product design and Best Environmental design at the BeST Awards in NZ and a Stringer, the highest recognition for outstanding design in New Zealand.
About Formway
Formway is privately owned and operates one of the largest furniture design studios in Australasia. Developing empathetic insights into human behavior is central to Formway's user-centred design culture. Coupled with a rigorous design process and sensitivity to aesthetic and environmental considerations, these insights create the platform for new-to-the-world innovation. As a result, the company enjoys a reputation as a world leader in workplace product design.
Products are distributed through a network of showrooms, agents and distribution partners in New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia.
Media Contact for Kimball Office
For media relations, please contact David Fields, Director of Brand Strategy, Kimball Office at 800.482.1818.