Herman Miller

Case Analysis of Herman Miller Herman Miller Company dates back all the way to the year 1905. When Herman Miller started the company’s original name was Star Furniture Company. Then later it was renamed again and in 1923 it was renamed in honor of Herman Miller, by his son-in-law De Pree, in recognition of all of his support to the company. This company was founded very different principles when it comes to treating employees as individuals. Each individual is treated to “all workers as individuals with special talents and potential.” Herman Miller is a company that basis it’s strategy on the individual and is basically a family unit not only with its customers but employees too. This is a huge competitive advantage because employees will take pride in their work. The upper level management is treated the same as everyone. From the start of the company Herman Miller does not have “departments” but they have “teams.” These teams allow everyone to work as a group and not as a department so everyone is working together and not separately. The company uses recycled materials for one of their product lines and some of their products which gives them an advantage. Hilton Garden Inns is one of their cooperative advertising partners and the recycled chairs were put into some rooms with cards as for where you can purchase them online. This is part of their marketing strategy which gives them an advantage to other companies. The company to me has a good competitive advantage just because of the values of their company compared to other companies. According to the 10-k reports the net income has increased with the exception of the year 2012. From the year 2010 to 2011 the Herman Miller Company grew 6.2% but fell 9.3% in 2013. The Herman Miller Company Net Sales were dropped from $2012 million in the year 2008 to $1630 in the year 2009 and dropped significantly in 2010 to $1318. (All monies are in millions) Herman Miller Company has risen in sales in 2011