3.24.08 | What a difference a decade makes. Ten years ago when the word was out that HNI (then named HON INDUSTRIES) was bidding to acquire Knoll from Westinghouse, one would have thought the world was coming to an end, or at least the sky was falling. Now, everyone in the know is breathing a huge sigh of relief that the treasured brand of HBF is going to be safely tucked neatly near the warm, financially sound hearth of HNI.

2.11.08 | Haworth is an interesting study in cautious but consistent progress and risky, radical moves forward. From the electrified panel, to mobile products and then the imaginative Crossings to the stunning renovation of its Chicago showroom and the even more ambitious headquarters renovation and complete showroom revitalization strategy to demonstrate its total commitment to sustainability and a new vision for the workplace. Last week Haworth announced that its 2007 sales increased 12% to $1.66 billion. The company said that its was its fifth consecutive year of growth, and included market share gains in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America.

2.11.08 | Mogens Smed sure made a timely selection for the name of his 3-year old enterprise, DIRTT Environmental Solutions. Of course, Mr. Smed, as ardent as he may be about sustainability in his products, his company and his industry, is a true-believer envrionmentalist whose long-time projects have included the salmon, grizzly bears, and now whales.

1.14.08| Teknion Corporation of Canada was very busy during 2007, and appears to have achieve several successes. But few of these have been apparent in its stock price. Now, it is undergoing a restructuring, of which the details remain sketchy, but the general outlines are now being disclosed.

At the end of last week, Teknion announced that Frank Delfino, Senior Vice President and most recently, President, of Canadian and International Markets, was appointed to the newly created position of President, Worldwide Markets. Simultaneously, Teknion announced that Stephen L. Silver, President of Teknion LLC (Teknion's U.S. business operation) has resigned.