June 14, 2002—Each June, the NeoCon World’s Trade Fair in Chicago typically is the showcase event for the furniture and furnishings industry to tout not only their newest products, but also to give us glimpses of where they will be heading over the next few months. After all, over 1,000 companies exhibit there and there are tens of thousands attendees.
This year, the companies consistently reflected that the glorious times of the past few years are no longer the same. The mood of the industry is one of reflection and consolidation. There were very few of the “far out,” cutting-edge ideas that border on experimental, where a company is exploring a possible industry trend, or even hoping to initiate one. Instead, the companies realized that this is a time to cut back their own expenditures, but still deliver a quality solution to customers.
The companies did not retrench by cutting back on quality, but by taking a long, hard look at their own expenses and sales records. They eliminated products that were not selling, and they consolidated multiple lines into single lines (the added benefit for the customer was that one no longer had to become familiar with multiple “brand” names from one manufacturer). As an added benefit, where companies had different product lines, each manufacturer worked diligently to ensure that the lines would be compatible and work together. The benefits to facilities managers are obvious.
Nearly across the board, most of the news were small enhancements to existing product lines (e.g., a new component, a new feature, etc.), additions of new materials and finishes, and, as always, many new fabric colors and patterns. From the furniture system manufacturers, there are many more glass inserts, with a variety of opaque designs adding interest to work stations and allowing light to come through. There also were a lot of dark wood finishes such as walnut coming back this year. Carpet manufacturers continued to emphasize their focus on environmental issues.
Where there were innovations, they were more along the lines of using components in creative ways, sometimes coming up with new shapes and sizes and ways to put them together. Often, these resulted in added functionality and/or lower-priced workstations. Many of these types of products were appropriate for the home office or small business-a market that many of the manufacturers addressed, and one that FMs are addressing more and more.
Technology also played a role. Many manufacturers, often by forming alliances with software companies, developed new ways for even the CAD neophyte to quickly visualize what a given workstation or layout would look like, including by modifying panel heights, colors and componentry. More user-friendly e-commerce solutions also surfaced.
Sometimes, an economic downturn can be a time to reflect; if that is done wisely, one can come out of it stronger and more focused than ever. This appears to be one of those times in the furniture industry, and the companies have responded very well. Facilities managers will find it easier to select what they need and gain the potential for more effective inventory management.
Over the next week, FMLink is publishing many articles highlighting individual products unveiled at NeoCon; the easiest way to see these is to look in the Products and Services—Furniture section. Also see the winners from the Best of NeoCon competition in Developments—Industry Awards. For more information on NeoCon, contact The Merchandise Mart at 800/677-6278 or go to www.neocon.com.
—Peter S. Kimmel, AIA, IFMA Fellow, Publisher of FMLink
