Knoll Inc.

The┬ágreen office┬áOffice systems manufacturer Knoll has positioned itself at the forefront of environmental technology, Andrew Pelis discovers. Knoll is recognized internationally for creating workplace furnishings that inspire, evolve and endure. Headquartered in East Greenville, Pennsylvania, the roots of the company can be traced back to 1938, and its visionary approach to furniture design has always been apparent. In addition to the East Greenville site, Knoll works in multiple locations worldwide through three sales and service organizations: Knoll North America, Knoll International Europe and Knoll International. Knoll International consists of Eastern, Northern and Southern Europe (except the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, and the Benelux countries), the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America.East Greenville is one of four manufacturing sites in North America, with other facilities located in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, Michigan, and in Toronto, Ontario. All Knoll manufacturing facilities in North America are ISO 14001 certified, an important mark of its commitment to environmentally responsible practices. Additionally, the company has plants in Foligno and Graffignana, Italy. North American clients are served through a network of more than 300 Knoll dealerships and 100 showrooms and regional offices. In Europe, the business operates showrooms and is represented by dealers in most major cities. Throughout Asia and Latin America, independently owned dealers and licensees serve Knoll clients. KnollÔÇÖs commitment to innovation and modern design has yielded a comprehensive portfolio of office systems, seating, files and storage, tables and desks, wood case goods, textiles and accessories, and its products are exhibited in major art museums, with more than 40 pieces in the permanent Design Collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. With design at the forefront of the companyÔÇÖs ambitions, it isnÔÇÖt surprising that the company is quick to respond to changing office demands. Indeed, Knoll prides itself on watching how the modern office is evolving, and it manufactures furniture that responds and adapts to changing needs. As part of the design process, the company engages in research activities, including independent field studies; collaborations with customers, universities and industry associations; and ongoing dialogue with experts from the fields of technology, architecture, design, organizational behavior, psychology and business management. Over the years the company has established principles of environmentally sustainable practices and products. Knoll is a leader in policies and practices designed to protect the biosphere, conserve natural resources and reduce waste, and it is committed to helping safeguard all natural habitats and local communities. The company strives to make the most efficient and responsible use of renewable resources, including water, soil and forests, and to conserve natural resources, and it has become a pioneer in clean technology. Such commitment has been mandated by a comprehensive Environmental, Health & Safety Management Plan, and Knoll has aligned itself with a number of third-party certification organizations, including the GreenGuard Environmental Institute, the US Green Building Council (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and The Green Standard.KnollÔÇÖs product designers are engaged in a continuous program of research and design, experimenting with new materials and new uses for existing materials, and all of its architecture and design managers in North America are required to attain LEED professional accreditation, the rating system of the US Green Building Council, a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance sustainable buildings. In February 2009 the company announced that it has reached its 2010 goal of an additional two percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over its Phase 1 results, as part of its program with the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). In Phase 1 of the CCX program, initiated in 2006, Knoll achieved an 8.8 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions over the 1998ÔÇô2001 baseline.This success was achieved through KnollÔÇÖs core strategies, which in summary focus on climate change (in particular the need to drive down energy consumption and to better manage forestry), design for the environment (achieved through the SMaRT certification system, supply chain compliance and internal communication) and third-party certification.In 2008 the company undertook six major projects, including the installation of the largest ÔÇ£plaforizationÔÇØ plant in the world, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions from the pre-treatment of metal and also reduces water consumption to zero. Such commitment has already started to yield annual energy cost savings and is further evidence of the forward-thinking philosophy at Knoll.Over 70 years of pedigree must not be forgotten, however, and Knoll is proud to exhibit its design legacy at the Knoll Museum located in East Greenville. The site is dedicated to people who design, develop and manufacture Knoll products, and the collection comprises more than 150 objects from a rich and varied history. ÔÇô Editorial research by Sam Howard┬á