Despite Dilbert, "cubicle" sales soar

Business Wire, April 22, 1997

HOLLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 1997--Despite the misgivings of Scott Adams popular cartoon character, Dilbert(R), about the benefits of "cubicles," sales of this type of furniture are soaring, at least for office furniture giant Haworth, Inc. In the first quarter of 1997, Haworth's cubicle sales increased 26% over the same period in 1996.

Cubicle sales for the office furniture industry as a whole continue to climb as well. According to Tom Reardon, manager of research and information for the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers' Association (BIFMA), industry sales were up 14 percent in the first two months of 1997, and cubicles -- also called open- plan or systems furniture -- have consistently been the largest part of the office furniture sales mix, which also includes seating, tables, casegoods and files.

Sales of systems furniture for all of 1996 grew 17% for Haworth and accounted for half of the company's worldwide sales, indicating that the rising popularity of cubicles is more than just a trend.

According to Sheri Cuccarese, Haworth's director of product marketing and development, a growing number of small and large businesses alike are turning to systems furniture to create more open office environments. "Call it what you want -- open-plan, systems furniture, or cubicle -- it's a great answer to a business' need to promote better communications and collaboration among their workers," says Cuccarese.

"Cubicles have come a long way since Haworth introduced the first pre-wired office panel in 1976, when sales of cubicles really took off. They're extremely flexible and accommodate change with minimal costs and downtime -- whether that change is one person switching offices or an entire company relocating. They also deliver electrical power and data communications, things that office workers assume will be there when they're ready to turn their computer on or make a telephone call," adds Cuccarese.

"The Dilbert cartoons make us smile as well, but cubicle sales growth of 26 percent makes us smile even more," says Cuccarese.

In recent years, Haworth has introduced several other furniture products which integrate with and strengthen the versatility of its systems furniture lines, including the mobile Crossings(R) line.

Haworth, Inc., is a world-leading supplier of office and institutional furniture and seating, with 1996 sales of $1.36 billion. Based in Holland, Michigan, the international company employs 9,000 members and has over 60 showrooms worldwide. -0-

For more information on Haworth products or services, call (800) 344-2600, or access Haworth's home page at www.haworth-furn.com .

Dilbert(R) cartoons: Copyright (c) Newspaper Enterprise Association, Inc. and United Feature Syndicate, Inc.

CONTACT: Haworth, Inc.

Chuck Hartlage, 616/393-3936

or

Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Assn.

Tom Reardon, 616/285-3963