Craddle to Craddle design at

Herman Miller : Case study

Sumbitted by
( Group 1)
Hitesh Advani
Tony Augustine
Ameen
Kishan Bhandari
Santosh Rao
Vineet Raina
 Introduction
Herman Miller, Inc is a major American Manufacturer
of office furniture, equipment and home furnishings.
Collaborating with notable designers, Herman Miller
created lots of imaginative modernist designs that
have been showcased in many museums.

Overview
Design and Innovations
Culture
Economic Performance
Products
 Herman Miller and
Environment
The Company was considered to be an
environmental leader in the industry, with
competitors following its lead on many
environmental initiatives.
In 1989, the company formed the Environmental
Quality Action Team (EQAT) to set the companys
environmental direction and to measure the results.
In early 2000s, the company proposed the Perfect
Vision initiative.
They Drafted the Cradle-to-Cradle Design Protocol
snd planned to apply it in their products.
 Craddle to craddle design protocol

Architect Mc Donough integrates the

plan into DFE guidelines

Initially it was Craddle to Grave

Implementing into C2C guidelines

 Underlying Principles

Eco Effectiveness versus Eco

efficiency

Waste Equals food

Translating C2C principles into Design

Biological and Technical Nutrients

(Natural fibres or cotton versus
monstrous hybrids)

The green Yellow orange List

Disassembly

Recyclability and recycled content

The Mirra Chair
The Design Process of Mirra Chair
Exploration

Development
( & Manufacturing)
Launch

Maintenance
 Impact of C2C implementation on the
development phase of Mirra Chair
Y-Spine of Mirra Chair: Originally a piece of
metal with plastice overmolding changed to Nylon
6

Elimination of foam materials from the seat and

back support

PVC material in the arm pad was classified as

red
Supply Chain Management:
Setting up Data Base HM spend - $100k on IT and
$300k on material assessment
Upfront work to populate PfE material Database
Getting supplier to corporate with raw material
assessment was not easy task.
Hurdles Don't give up Work until find a solution.
Benefits:
Shorter development cycle
Assessment helps develop new markets
Public relation Exposure
Sales & Marketing:
Fair amount of press about C2C protocol
Customers considered environmental factor as
purchase decision
Numerous environmental awards
 Closing the loop:
3 Options to send materials to
recyclers:
1.HM will collect Logistical support
Leasing
2.Retailers will collect
3.Third party will collect
.Question:
.How much to invest?
.Unclear how it will work back end
with getting materials into loop.
 Replacement of PVC by
TPU

PVC is inexpensive but toxic

TPU requires more research
Balancing environmental goals and
business decisions
Option of removable components
 TPU helps suppliers develop new
markets
Standardized production reduces
further cost
 Thank You