Steelcase Receives Seven Best of NeoCon Awards at NeoCon 2005

Steelcase Inc. Receives Seven Best of NeoCon Awards at NeoCon 2005
NeoCon Awards Recognize Outstanding Product Design, Technology Integration, and Environmental Sensibility

Steelcase Inc., a global office environments manufacturer, today announced that the Steelcase family of companies was honored with seven Best of NeoCon 2005 awards. Products recognized range from systems enhancements to a flexible wood furniture system and new seating options to outstanding technology products and sustainable fabrics, which are all on display at this year's NeoCon 2005 World's Trade Fair for Interior Design in Chicago.

"We are pleased to be recognized with these distinguished industry awards," said Jim Hackett, president and CEO of Steelcase Inc. "At Steelcase, we aim to exceed our customers' expectations by introducing product solutions that combine aesthetics, environmental sensitivity and leading technology. Ultimately, the Steelcase family of products is designed to help people work more effectively and organizations to plan more efficiently."

Best of NeoCon 2005
Sponsored by Contract magazine, the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI) and the McMorrow Report, the Best of NeoCon awards recognize the top new products displayed at NeoCon. Steelcase Inc. received a total of seven Best of NeoCon Awards, taking home two Gold awards, four Silver awards, and an Editor's Choice award.

Among the gold winners is Steelcase's Elective Elements wood portfolio of products, which won in the Furniture Systems: New Enhancements category. A research project conducted by Steelcase on the private office found that while the rest of the workplace has changed dramatically to better foster cross-functional teams, multitasking, creative thinking and new technology, private office furniture solutions have remained unchanged for decades. To address the evolving needs in today's private offices, Steelcase introduced design and performance enhancements to the Elective Elements worksurfaces, storage, tables and technology solutions. The portfolio streamlines technology support around the individual, and features a sleek visual appearance.

Among the Steelcase Design Partnership companies, Details was honored with a Gold award in the Technology Support category for its "FYI" Flat Panel Monitor Arm. FYI is a flat-panel, computer-monitor arm that moves easily and simply while addressing two key workplace needs, reducing eyestrain and assisting with collaborative work.

Continuing its success creating sustainable fabrics, Designtex received a Silver award for its 100% Ingeo™ PLA fabric in the Panel Fabrics category. These three new panel textiles are constructed in 100% Ingeo (PLA) and are part of Designtex's Terratex-classified family of environmentally-conscious fabrics.

New seating introductions from Steelcase Inc. were also recognized with Silver awards -- one for Brayton International's Chord Executive seat in the Seating: Ergonomic Desk/Task category and one for Metro's Poly Lounge in the Seating: Sofas & Lounge category. Chord Executive provides elegant management seating designed for comfort and mobility. Chord is adaptable to fit the user's size and proportions and has many design options.

Metro's Poly Lounge is part of a family of modern seating products formed around an innovative and unexpected material process that promotes environmental sustainability and is ideal for both commercial and residential seating applications.

Rounding out the product awards is PolyVision, which received a Silver award and an Editor's Choice award for its new product introductions this year. The company's Interactive Panel & Cordless Lectern was honored with a Silver award in the Workplace Technologies category. The Interactive Panel allows users to project and interact with a computer by writing directly on the display screen with a stylus or by using a remote control.

Additionally, an Editor's Choice award was given to PolyVision's Commercial Series of markerboards and tackboards, a broad range of writing systems that combine both form and function. Commercial Series of markerboards and tackboards are designed to match the aesthetics of any environment, with options from thin metal profiles to rich wood finishes and everything in between.

Steelcase Inc. products were chosen for Best of NeoCon awards from more than 300 entries in 25 different product categories.

About Steelcase Inc.
Steelcase, the global leader in the office furniture industry, helps people have a better work experience by providing products, services and insights into the ways people work. The company designs and manufactures architecture, furniture and technology products. Founded in 1912 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steelcase (NYSE: SCS - News) serves customers through a network of more than 800 independent dealers and approximately 14,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2005 revenue was $2.6 billion.

Steelcase: http://www.dexigner.com/directory/detail/5617.html



Elective Elements



Flat Panel Monitor Arm

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