FRAMINGHAM, MA - Staples, Inc. SPLS -1.88% and Steelcase Inc. SCS -0.19% today announced a partnership to make more happen for Staples small business customers by offering high-performance workplace furnishings from Steelcase on Staples.com and in select Staples stores in the United States. Starting in the second half of 2014, Staples will offer an array of Steelcase® seating and table solutions.

“Through our new partnership, we’re giving small business customers access to the expertise, craftsmanship, design and innovation of Steelcase,” said Mike Edwards, executive vice president of merchandising, Staples. “We are thrilled to partner with Steelcase and help bring our small business customers solutions that can make more happen for both their employees and their business.”

Staples customers will be able to design their workspace with the high-performance, ergonomic quality of Steelcase seating solutions including global bestsellers like Leap®, Think®, cobi®, QiVi®, Amia® and Buoy® chairs and more. Leap, Think, cobi, QiVi, and Amia have all been globally recognized for their insight-led design and quality.

“At Steelcase, we know that the places where people work matter. Small businesses realize by engaging talent they can build a strong brand and culture -- and the workplace can play a significant role in that,” said Allan Smith, vice president, global marketing for Steelcase. “This partnership with Staples will give small businesses increased access to award-winning, high performance, seating portfolio through Steelcase. Our desire is to help people everywhere have great experiences at work.”

Steelcase has a long history of studying the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of people, in the places where they work. The company’s recent research on small and emerging companies revealed the unique culture and values of small businesses. Steelcase products are designed based on these insights to help create workplaces where people can achieve their highest potential.

About Staples

Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online or on mobile devices. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Staples also offers free shipping for Staples Rewards Members, in most cases overnight. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com .

About Steelcase Inc.

For over 100 years, Steelcase Inc. has helped to create great experiences – wherever work happens – for the world’s leading organizations, across industries. We demonstrate this through our family of brands – including Steelcase®, Coalesse®, Designtex®, Details®, PolyVision® and Turnstone®. Together, they offer a comprehensive portfolio of architecture, furniture and technology products and services designed to unlock human promise and support social, economic and environmental sustainability. We are globally accessible through a network of channels, including over 800 dealer locations. Steelcase is a global, industry-leading and publicly traded company with fiscal 2014 revenue of $3.0 billion.

SOURCE: Staples, Inc.