Herman Miller Cubicles & Aeron Chairs: You Can't Afford To Miss These!

To say that Herman Miller Company represents the all modern style in truly American office furniture industry would be an understatement. From perfectly designed office cubicles to the legendary ergonomic Herman Miller Aeron chair, this furniture manufacturer has consistently delivered best designs for work spaces. However when the company began its operations in 1905 as star furniture, it manufactured bedroom furniture in the rival style that was popular at that time. The trend continued until Dirk Jan De Pree who was president of Star Furniture purchased a controlling interest in the firm with his father-in-law Herman Miller in 1923. Though company changed its name to Herman Miller in 1960 it began to alter its entire business approach under the leadership of Dirk in the 1920s itself.

During the early 1940s, the company decided to enter the office and commercial furniture market and began manufacturing Herman Miller cubicles which would soon earn fame and money for the company. The credit for the thrust on manufacturing modern furniture goes to Gilbert Rhodes. However company decided to explore other options due to the dire impact of the great American depression since it almost wiped out the traditional wooden home furniture market. During the tenure of Rhodes (from 1930 until his death in 1944), the company introduced a range of modern furniture with office furniture launched in 1942.

After gilbert’s death, he was replaced by architect George Nelson as director of design. Nelson truly transformed the nascent office furniture manufacturing line into a major operation. He also recruited many talented designers like Isamu Noguchi, Charles and Ray Eames, Robert Propst, and textile designer Alexander Girard. He and his team created some of the marvelous Herman Miller cubicles and office chairs. Since then this small furniture manufacturer from Zeeland, Michigan become a national front runner in office furniture design. It wasn’t just the modern design and look but the style and comfort that won accolades from corporate industry.

Although Herman Miller cubicles became popular, the company was putting more efforts into designing comfortable and ergonomic chairs. During the 90s, research was conducted by independent organizations on the various health effects of sitting in a chair for 8 to 9 hours a day. Many furniture manufacturers responded to the outcome of this research with ergonomically designed chairs. But it was the HermanMiller Aeron chair that made history in US office furniture industry, becoming America’s bestselling chair in 2010. 

Herman Miller Aeron was designed by two great designers, Don Chadwick and Bill Stumpf for the first time in 1994. Since then it underwent many modifications to perfect the design. The chair is designed to automatically adjust itself with the changing posture of your body. This means you can enjoy comfortable sitting throughout the day no matter how your posture is.

Fortunately Herman Miller Aeron was introduced during the success of internet and following dot com bust. Prized for its ergonomic design and the adjustable features, it became a prized possession to those in Silicon Valley who worked round the clock. This timing largely contributed in the success of Aeron making it the most popular ergonomic chair sold ever. It has adjustable back rest, sitting pad, arm rest and neck rest, all which can be adjusted as per your posture. Whether you are slumped or sitting erect, the chair is a perfect fit for your posture.

Although the cost of Herman Miller Aeron models is somewhat prohibitive, it is worth it. The truth is corporate companies can save millions in healthcare expenses if their employees use ergonomic chairs. Research has proved that employees using ergonomic chairs like Aeron were less exposed to life style disorders like neck arthritis, back pain and spinal cord problems.  Therefore it can be said that Herman Miller cubicle with Aeron chair is the ideal combination that will save your company considerable money and boost your employees’ productivity too.