Herman Miller furniture sales rise 6 percent to $598 million
Brian Walker, Herman Miller
Herman Miller CEO Brian Walker.
ZEELAND, Mich. - Sales for contract furniture manufacturer and retailer Herman Miller, Inc.rose nearly 6 percent for the first quarter of its fiscal 2017 year.
 
It got an added boost because the period, which ended September 3, 2016, included 14 weeks of operations instead of a standard 13-week period. The additional week aligns Herman Miller's fiscal year with the calendar months.
 
Net sales in the quarter totaled $598.6 million, with new orders for future delivery totaling $595.6 million up 5.7 percent - suggesting continued momentum for future quarters.  
 
"While order levels in the North America segment were softer than expected at the beginning of the quarter, they showed significant improvement toward the end of the period, reflecting the project-based nature of the contract industry," said Brian Walker, CEO.  
 
"Our results demonstrate the balanced nature of our business model," Walker said. "We were also very pleased to see further improvement in our consumer business segment, which posted year-over-year growth in sales and orders," he said, referring to business that includes Design Within Reach, a consumer retailer acquired in 2014.
 
Consumer furniture sales were about $75 million for the period, including online sales and Design Within Reach - up about 25 percent. Herman Miller forecast net sales in the second quarter  to be in the range of $580 million to $600 million, about 2.5 percent ahead of the year prior.   

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Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.