In 1923, D.J. De Pree bought the Michigan Star Furniture Company, founded in 1905 and his employer since 1909, and renamed it in honor of his father-in-law, Herman Miller, who had helped fund the purchase. By the middle of the 20th century, the name Herman Miller had become synonymous with “modern” furniture. Working with legendary designers George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames, the company produced pieces that would become classics of industrial design.

Since then, Herman Miller has collaborated with some of the most outstanding designers in the world, including Alexander Girard, Isamu Noguchi, Robert Propst, Bill Stumpf, Don Chadwick, Ayse Birsel, Studio 7.5, Yves Béhar, Doug Ball, and many talented others. Today, in addition to its classic pieces and new designs for the home, Herman Miller is a recognized innovator in contemporary interior furnishings, solutions for healthcare environments, and related technologies and services.

As Herman Miller continues its “Journey toward Sustainability,” designing products with consideration for their environmental impact remains a central corporate strategy. A long-term emphasis on product durability, innovation and quality demonstrates that the company has effectively designed for the environment for decades. Herman Miller’s focus now, however, is on maintaining its high standards while incorporating increasingly more environmentally sustainable materials, features, and manufacturing processes into new product designs. Its Design for the Environment (DfE) team, which is responsible for developing environmentally sensitive design standards for new and existing Herman Miller products, has initiated a protocol to guide this effort. A key design tenet is durability. Herman Miller designs for repeated use, with repair, maintenance, and reassembly using standard parts feasible and easy.