NeoCon 2012 reflected the impact mobile technology has had on the modern office.
This year’s NeoCon theme was “work is everywhere.” Companies derived their styles from the notion that many of us are always working, so why not be comfortable in your office space, wherever that may be?
“People can work anywhere,” Rob Kirkbride, a furniture industry expert told MLive.com. “So if that’s the case, why would I want to go into the office to work?”
Now that we have mobile technology from laptops to iPads, workers are no longer tied to their desks. The layout of the office is changing.
Herman Miller, a Michigan-based furniture company that is over 100 years old, continues to emphasize modern style, while Steelcase is experimenting with products that feature technology.
They are pushing the envelope with their theme “living on video.” Displayed at NeoCon were hundreds of innovative concepts from portable tables for the worker on the go to large wood conference tables featuring video screens and individual controls at each workspace.
"We want to help the needs of people drive the technology," said Chris Congdon, Steelcase spokeswoman.
Haworth, a Holland-based manufacturer, is experimenting somewhere in between Herman Miller and Steelcase.
Julie Smith, Haworth spokeswoman, told MLive.com they are wary of tying their furniture too closely to technology because it changes so quickly. Devices on desks that hold iPads, for example, can become outdated if a new version of the technology changes size or even switches around where it plugs into a charger.
"You want a balance, because furniture has a lot longer lifecycle than technology," Smith said.
Furniture industry analyst Michael A. Dunlap says he doesn’t see any indications that the office furniture industry is slowing down.
“It’s on a very steady pattern of furniture being sold,” said Dunlap. “It’s not growing and it’s not shrinking. I would say the industry is in good shape.”