1900
1905
Star Furniture Company, a manufacturer of high-quality, traditional-style bedroom suites, opens for business in Zeeland, Michigan.
1909
Star Furniture Company is renamed the Michigan Star Furniture Company. The company hires Dirk Jan (D.J.) De Pree as a clerk. De Pree is 18 years old.
1910
1919
D.J. De Pree is named president of the Michigan Star Furniture Company.
1920
1923
Michigan Star Furniture Company becomes the Herman Miller Furniture Company when D.J. De Pree convinces his father-in-law, Herman Miller, to purchase the majority of shares in the Michigan Star Furniture Company. De Pree becomes the first president of the Herman Miller Furniture Company, which continues to manufactures of traditional home furniture.
1927
D.J. De Pree founds the Herman Miller Clock Company. The clock company makes designs designed clocks and later adds Gilbert Rohde designs.
A millwright dies on the job. De Pree visits the family, where the millwright's widow reads poetry written by her husband. De Pree, deeply moved, makes a commitment to treat all workers as individuals with special talents and potential. The story of the millwright becomes part of Herman Miller lore.
1930
1930
Herman Miller, like many companies, faces failure amid the turmoil of the Great Depression. De Pree, looking for a way to save the company, meets Gilbert Rohde, a designer from New York, at Herman Miller's Grand Rapids showroom. Rohde convinces De Pree to move away from traditional furniture and to focus on products better suited to the changing needs and life styles of Americans.
1933
Herman Miller debuts its Rohde-designed furniture at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago.
1937
D.J. De Pree turns the Herman Miller Clock Company over to his brother-in-law, Howard Miller, who renames it the Howard Miller Clock Company.
1939
Herman Miller opens a showroom in Chicago's Merchandise Mart.
1940
1942
The Executive Office Group, designed by Gilbert Rohde, signals Herman Miller's entry into the office-furniture market. Modular and versatile, EOG is a precursor of systems furniture.
Herman Miller's Los Angeles showroom opens.
Charles and Ray Eames are commissioned by the Navy to develop lightweight, molded plywood leg splints.
1944
Gilbert Rohde dies. De Pree begins searching for a new design leader.
1945
After seeing an article in Life magazine on George Nelson and his Storagewall design, D.J. De Pree hires him to serve as the company's first design director.
1946
The Nelson Office designs the stylized "m" logo and introduces a new corporate image for Herman Miller.
The Nelson platform bench is introduced.
The Eames molded plywood chair, molded plywood lounge chair, molded folding screen and molded plywood coffee table are introduced.
New York's Museum of Modern Art installs a small exhibition called "New Furniture Designed by Charles Eames", the museum's first one-man furniture show.
Nelson and De Pree recruit Charles and Ray Eames into the Herman Miller fold.
1947
Herman Miller gains exclusive market and distribution rights to the Eameses' award-winning molded plywood products. These rights are acquired from the Evans Products Company of Grand Haven, Michigan, which attracted production rights.
1948
Herman Miller publishes and sells a bound, hardback product catalog, written by George Nelson and designed by the Nelson Office. The catalog articulates Herman Miller's philosophy and principles about business and design. It is believed to be the first time that a furniture catalog is sold, rather than distributed free. It becomes a collector's item.
Herman Miller introduces a glass-topped coffee table designed by Isamu Noguchi.
1949
Molded plywood manufacturing moves from the Grand Haven, Michigan, manufacturing site of Evans Products to a Herman Miller manufacturing facility in Zeeland. Another manufacturing plant, which later becomes the Eames Studio, opens in Venice, California.
1950
1950
Herman Miller becomes the first company in Michigan to adopt the Scanlon Plan, a program of participatory management and gain sharing. This begins a long relationship with Dr Carl Frost, who will guide the company's participatory endeavors for many years.
The world's first molded fibreglass chairs, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, are introduced by Herman Miller. Eames storage units and wire base tables are introduced.
1951
Herman Miller begins its long association with Alexander Girard, noted colourist and textile designer.
The Eames elliptical table is introduced.
1952
Girard leads the newly formed Herman Miller Textile Division.
Nelson bubble lamps are introduced.
1953
Girard wallpapers and the Eames Hang-It-All are introduced.
1954
Nelson pedestal tables and the Eames sofa compact are introduced.
1955
Eames storage units are discontinued. They will be reintroduced in 1998.
The Eames molded plywood folding screen is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1994.
Nelson coconut lounge chairs and Eames stacking/ganging chairs are introduced.
1956
The Eames lounge chair and footstool are introduced on national television (The Today Show). The chair is to become a highly visible emblem of Herman Miller quality and innovation.
The Nelson marshmallow sofa is introduced.
1957
The Eames molded plywood chair, molded plywood lounge chair and molded plywood coffee table are discontinued. They will be reintroduced in 1994.
Herman Miller begins selling its products to the European market.
1958
Robert Propst becomes a Herman Miller researcher.
Herman Miller begins building its Zeeland headquarters complex. George Nelson is the primary architect. A new plant opens in Venice, California, and a showroom opens in San Francisco.
Eames aluminum group chairs are introduced.
1959
Nelson's Comprehensive Storage System, which uses vertical space to free up living space, is introduced.
1960
1960
The Herman Miller Furniture Company incorporated, becoming Herman Miller, Inc. The Herman Miller Research Division, which will later become the Herman Miller Research Corporation, opens in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a wholly owned subsidiary. Its president is inventor and teacher Robert Propst.
Eames walnut stools are introduced.
1961
Herman Miller's textiles and accessories retail shop, the Textiles and Objects Shop (a.k.a. T&O), opens in New York City. It will close in 1967.
The Eames Hang-It-All is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1994.
1962
Hugh De Pree, son of D.J., assumes leadership of Herman Miller, Inc. as president and chief executive officer. D.J. becomes chairman of the board.
Eames tandem sling seating is introduced and installed at Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
1964
Bob Propst and George Nelson work together on the first prototypes of Action Office 1, a group of free-standing units that will evolve into the Action Office system.
The Eames elliptical table is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1994.
The Nelson sling sofa is introduced. Eames dining tables are introduced.
1965
The marshmallow sofa is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1999.
1966
With nearly 150 dealers, Herman Miller has expanded its presence to Central and South America, Australia, Canada, Europe, Africa, the Near East, Scandinavia and Japan.
1967
The Nelson platform bench is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1994.
In Switzerland, Herman Miller introduces the Panton chair, a single-form, completely plastic chair. It will be sold until 1975.
1968
Herman Miller introduces the Action Office system, the world's first open-plan modular system of panels and attaching components. Designed by Robert Propst, AO, as it will come to be called, will revolutionise office design and spawn a whole new industry.
Robert Propst's book, The Office: A Facility Based on Change, is published.
The Eames chaise lounge is introduced.
1969
D.J. De Pree steps down as chairman of the board. Hugh De Pree becomes the new chairman.
Herman Miller, United Kingdom, forms. It has sales and marketing responsibilities throughout the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.
Eames soft pad chairs are introduced.
1970
1970
Herman Miller, Inc. offers stock to the public. The Eames Office designs the stock certificate.
Herman Miller opens a new facility in Bath, UK.
1971
Herman Miller enters the health/science market with the introduction of the Co/Struc system, based on a concept originated from Bob Propst in the 1960s.
1973
Eames soft pad lounge chairs, executive tables and segmented base rectangular tables are introduced.
The Noguchi coffee table is discontinued. It will be reintroduced in 1984.
1974
Rapid Response becomes the industry's first quick-ship programme.
Chadwick modular seating, designed by Don Chadwick, is introduced.
1975
A major exhibition, "Nelson, Eames, Girard, Propst: The Design Process at Herman Miller", opens at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.
1976
Star Industries, later called Integrated Metal Technology, becomes a Herman Miller subsidiary. Building C is added to the main site.
Herman Miller introduces the Ergon chair, and a new era of ergonomic seating begins.
The Design of Herman Miller, by Ralph Caplan, is published by the Whitney Library of Design.
1979
Herman Miller opens the Facility Management Institute in Ann Arbor, Michigan, helping to establish the profession of facility management.
1980
1980
A new Holland seating plant is built. The Building B production site is converted to office space.
Max De Pree becomes chairman and chief executive officer.
1981
Burdick Group is introduced.
V-Wall movable walls are introduced.
Herman Miller's Energy Center begins burning waste to generate power – both electrical and steam – to run the company's million-square-foot Main Site manufacturing facility.
1982
Tradex, Inc. becomes a Herman Miller subsidiary, providing easy-to-acquire workstations, case goods and seating. Its name is later changed to Phoenix Designs and then to Miller SQA.
Vaughan Walls, Inc., a manufacturer of movable, modular walls, becomes a Herman Miller subsidiary.
1983
A special stock-ownership plan establishes all Herman Miller employees as shareholders.
1984
Herman Miller opens facilities in the UK and France.
The Equa chair, the Ethospace system and the Eames sofa are introduced.
1985
Milcare, a wholly owned subsidiary, is formed from the company's Health/Science Division, which began in 1971. It will be renamed Herman Miller for Healthcare in 1999.
The Worldesign Congress names Charles Eames "The Most Influential Designer of the Century" and Action Office "The Most Significant Design" since 1960.
Dealerships open in Korea, Malaysia and Australia.
Herman Miller Research Corporation publishes The Negotiable Environment.
1986
George Nelson dies.
The Custom Choices Division is established to offer non-standard products.
Construction of the Design Yard in Holland, Michigan, begins.
The Scooter stand is introduced.
1987
Action Office enhancements become Action Office Encore (later renamed Action Office Series 2).
Dick Ruch is named Herman Miller CEO, the first person outside of the De Pree family to hold that title.
Newhouse Group furniture is introduced.
1988
Ray Eames dies.
Max De Pree publishes Leadership is an Art.
Ergon 2 chairs and Ethospace support cabinets are introduced.
1989
The Equa chair wins a Design of the Decade award from Time magazine.
Herman Miller employees create the Environmental Quality Action Team (EQAT) to coordinate environmental programs company-wide and involve as many employees as possible.
1990
1990
Meridian becomes a Herman Miller subsidiary.
Herman Miller is the only office furniture manufacturer to be a founding member of the Tropical Forest Foundation. Other co-founders include Caterpillar, the Audubon Society and Bank of America.
D.J. De Pree dies.
1991
Action Office Series 3 is introduced.
Herman Miller launched its Supplier Diversity Program to increase business opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses.
1992
J. Kermit Campbell becomes Herman Miller's fifth CEO and president, the first person from outside the company to hold either post.
Herman Miller UK earns an ISO 9002 registration.
1993
Herman Miller becomes a founding member of the US Green Building Council, the only office furniture manufacturer on the original roster.
Alexander Girard dies.
Herman Miller begins using cherry and walnut from sustainable sources in place of endangered rosewood on the Eames lounge chair and footstool.
Herman Miller and Meridian earn ISO 9001 registrations.
The company's first Environmental Conference is held.
1994
Herman Miller returns to the residential furniture market with the launch of Herman Miller for the Home. Its offering includes new designs as well as reintroduced modern classic furniture from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
The Herman Miller GreenHouse received the Pioneer Award from the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The criteria used for the GreenHouse becomes the basis for USGBC's LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification protocol.
Herman Miller buys Righetti, a wholly owned subsidiary in Mexico.
Herman Miller begins construction of its new Phoenix Designs building in Holland, Michigan. This building later becomes Miller SQA and, in 1999, the Herman Miller GreenHouse.
Herman Miller is cited by Fortune magazine as one of the nation's 10 most environmentally responsible corporations.
Herman Miller, Inc. introduces the Aeron chair and the New York Museum of Modern Art adds it to its 20th Century Design Collection.
Herman Miller received the National Wildlife Federation's 1993 Environmental Achievement Award for its commitment to earth stewardship.
1995
Herman Miller's website, www.hermanmiller.com, goes live.
Max De Pree retires from the Board of Directors. J. Kermit Campbell resigns as CEO. Mike Volkema becomes CEO.
Ergon 3, Equa 2 and Ambi chairs are introduced.
1996
The new Miller SQA ("simple, quick, affordable") manufacturing and office building begins operations.
Arrio free-standing systems furniture is introduced.
1997
Herman Miller and Geiger Brickel, a high-quality wood case goods and seating manufacturer headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, enter a strategic sales alliance.
For the ninth time in ten years, Fortune magazine names Herman Miller "most admired" furniture company in the US.
1998
Herman Miller for the Home introduces Meinecke rugs and increases its classics offering by adding Eames storage units, and pillows, scrims and table runners in textiles designed by Alexander Girard.
Herman Miller introduces Passage furniture, Aeron and Ambi side chairs, Accents Collection ergonomic support products and CLT tables.
Herman Miller International introduces the Verve free-standing desk system in Europe.
Miller SQA introduces the Reaction work chair and the Aside side chair.
Meridian, Milcare, Miller SQA, Coro and Performis – former subsidiaries – become part of Herman Miller, Inc. Milcare becomes Herman Miller for Healthcare.
1999
Herman Miller introduces the Kiva Collection, Caper chairs and Meridian 140 and 160 Series pedestals, and displays the Resolve system at NeoCon.
Herman Miller for the Home introduces the Goetz sofa, and reintroduces the Nelson marshmallow sofa.
The Aeron chair wins a Design of the Decade award from Business Week magazine and the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).
Herman Miller acquires Geiger Brickel.