Convia: A Herman Miller Company

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Powered Up - by Rob Kirkbrideread

Convia is a departure from the Herman Miller’s long history of building high-end office furniture.

THE MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK, January 21, 2008 – In a nondescript office building tucked behind an ice rink in Chicago’s far-north suburb of Buffalo Grove, Herman Miller is hoping to spark an electrical revolution.

The site is home to Convia Programmable Infrastructure, the subsidiary that grew out of Herman Miller’s Creative Office that makes modular and programmable electrical infrastructure. There is nothing new or revolutionary about a system that moves power. Conduit and wires have been doing that for more than a hundred years.

But it is the way that Convia delivers the power that could revolutionize building electrical systems. Convia does it by delivering “plug-and-play” power without requiring hardwiring of devices or switches.

It is a departure from the company’s long history of building high-end office furniture. But a look inside the company’s Chicago-area showroom shows it’s not as much of a leap as one might think.

“We think the next step is for Convia to go directly into workstations,” said Convia President Randy Storch, a longtime Chicago-area resident who has been involved with numerous startup companies. “It’s going to be all about giving workers direct control of their environments.”

Convia is experimenting with the connection between the individual office and the overall environment. For example, researchers have a RFID connection on the bottom of an Aeron chair in one office. When the worker sits down, the window shades close and the lights are automatically dimmed -- both preferences of the worker who occupies the space.

Giving workers control of their environment is a key to energy savings, Storch contends. And energy savings is a critical component to Convia’s success. “People want to do the right thing,” he said, describing how workers will reduce their energy use if given the chance. “They just don’t know how to do the right thing (in a traditional office).”

All the workers in Convia’s office now have control of their workstations through an internet site.

Convia is an important part of Herman Miller’s long-term strategy. Chief Ex- ecutive Officer Brian Walker has mentioned Convia several times recently in conference calls with analysts and investors. The company’s board of directors is visiting the Buffalo Grove showroom today to see how Convia fits into Herman Miller’s future.

“This is a centerpiece of our strategy going forward,” said Herman Miller spokesman Mark Schurman. Convia is easy to explain, but can be hard to comprehend without seeing it. That’s why the small staff that works in the 6,000 square foot showroom and office is constantly explaining the system. Convia staff does two or three demonstrations a day and numerous other webinars to show people how it functions.

Here’s how it works: --Electricians install a grid work of beams to create a ceiling. Each of those beams has plugs for “smart connectors” that allow the designer to put up light fixtures, security devices and other electrical items.

--The grid can be set up in one of three ways: a true open grid system with the metal power channels showing and the ability to add modules every 10 inches; a modular grid with a ceiling and smart connectors at semi-permanent locations; and a hybrid system that is a mix of both.

--Switches can be wireless or wired. Wired ones are similar to an electrical cord that can be plugged or unplugged. Wireless switches fit into a wall connector and can be moved anywhere in the building. The switches are low voltage.

--A wand controls the switches and smart connectors. Point the wand at the fixture and then at a switch, and the fixture and switch are connected. Press another button on the wand and the connection is cut, without any wiring changes. Up to 20 connections can be made to a single switch.

--The entire system can be controlled remotely through a computer connection. A building administrator can track energy savings online.

Getting word out on how Convia works is the company’s biggest challenge, Storch said. “Our biggest hurdle is that it is hard to get Convia across to people without seeing it,” he said. “Until customers have a chance to see it actually operating, it can be difficult.”

Storch said the Convia system is being installed at locations across the country to make it easier for customers to see it in action. And seeing is believing, he said.

“You don’t walk away from this experience and not want it in your building,” he said, describing customer reaction to the Convia showroom. “This is Mecca if you want to see what Convia is about.” Convia continues to morph and evolve. Researchers are continuously adding new features to the system and tying it into new devices.

Convia can now control HVAC functions. And the system can be tied to events as well. For example, Convia can be tied to a building’s outdoor sprinkler system. Convia can monitor local rainfall levels and turn on the system when it gets dry instead of running on a set schedule where sprinkling might occur during a rainstorm. Convia can also monitor sunrise and sunset times and adjust lighting accordingly.

The result of the high level of control is reduced energy costs. Storch said there is a 32 percent reduction in energy costs compared to a traditional pipe and wire system. Lighting represents about 60 percent of power consumption in a typical building.

Convia enables customers to meet “Title 24,” the strict California energy guidelines that all residential and commercial buildings must meet.

Convia also can help with LEED certification. A building that gives 50 percent of its occupancy direct control of energy is worth one point. Buildings that give 75 percent of its occupants direct control receive two points toward certification.

Since no pipes and wires are installed, Convia saves on labor installation costs as well. Storch said Convia can reduce labor costs be 40 percent to 60 percent. Still, Convia’s goal is for the total cost to be a “slight premium” over traditional wiring, Storch said.

Convia does have other financial advantages. Like furniture purchases, Convia can be depreciated over seven years instead of 30.

Convia also has major competitors to worry about. Storch called Lutron Electronics the “900 pound gorilla.” Other companies are getting into programmable facilities as well.

Herman Miller is known for furniture, but Storch said its reputation for quality is helping Convia in the new market. He said the company’s great brand helps Convia “get the ear of the end user.”

“People trust the Herman Miller brand because they know Herman Miller is not going to put out a product that is going to fail,” he said. “I’ve never had the question about why Herman Miller is going into this business. Coming from where I come from, I have nothing to lose.”

Convia officials have been showing off prototypes since it was launched in November 2006 at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Convia also has been installed in test offices for quite a while. Herman Miller had a small Convia display at NeoCon last year. It recently received its UL listing.

Convia is the second company to come out of the Herman Miller Creative Office. The first, Sonare Technologies, is the maker of the Babble sound masking system.

Like many Herman Miller products, the awards are starting to come in as well. Convia was recently awarded two industry distinctions for innovation and design.

The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design gave Convia a 2007 GOOD DESIGN Award and Architectural Record named Convia in its 35th Annual Product Reports for 2007.

The GOOD DESIGN Award Program recognizes design innovations for products and graphics designed or manufactured within 2007. For its flexibility and design, Convia was selected as a recipient for this award from among more than 1,000 applicants from around the world.

Architectural Record’s 35th Annual Product Reports selects building solutions that exceed design expectations within their respective categories. Convia was noted because of its ability to allow users to rewire and adjust electrical components on the fly – while viewing energy usage and savings in real time. Convia Programmable Infrastructure was chosen by a panel of industry professionals to be among the top 25 innovative electrical products of 2007.

But the company is just gearing up its marketing efforts. Convia systems have been shipping for about four or five months now. And Convia is gaining traction, Storch said.

Convia has an exclusive distribution agreement with Wesco International, a $6 billion electrical distributor.

“Everything is in place to scale the business,” he said. “Credibility is breeding credibility”

Herman Miller, Inc. Makes Fast Company's "Fast 50" Listread

Herman Miller Named To Fast Company Magazine's Fast 50 List of The World's Most Innovative Companies

BUFALLO GROVE, IL, February 19, 2008 – Fast Company magazine today named Herman Miller, Inc. to its "Fast 50" list of the world's most innovative companies. Herman Miller ranked 26th this year and was the only representative of the contract furniture industry.

"Innovation through problem-solving design has been a hallmark of our company and remains central both to our strategy and our culture. Fast Company's recognition is a testimony to the great work produced by our people and our innovation network--and we have still more exciting developments in our future," said Brian Walker, President and CEO of Herman Miller.

The "Fast 50," announced in the March 2008 issue of Fast Company, highlights how innovation can drive economic growth. From green consumer-products phenomenon Method to 100-year-old Corning, which spends $2 million each workday on R&D, the list celebrates companies that are redefining the rules of business through new ideas. Other notable companies on Fast Company's "Fast 50" include Google, Facebook, GE, Nike, and Nokia. Twelve of the 50 firms are based outside the U.S. Fifteen of the 50 are based in and around Silicon Valley.

In naming Herman Miller to the list, the magazine cited Convia, the company's new subsidiary and eponymous electrical infrastructure system that enables programmable interiors, with resulting dramatic energy savings for buildings. Also noted was C2, a new desktop climate control device that both warms and cools the user and is part of Herman Miller's new Be Collection of personal accessories.

Last October, Fast Company set out to identify and rank the world's most innovative companies. The magazine deployed dozens of reporters around the globe to gather data and interview experts and business leaders in every industry to get their nominations. The final 50 were selected from a list of 300 finalist companies. The magazine placed a high premium on companies that had demonstrated significant innovation over the past year. Actual rankings were determined by vote by a panel of editors and writers.

The complete list and related stories appear in the March 2008 issue of Fast Company magazine (available on newsstands February 19 - March 25). Expanded profiles can be found on their website, where users can also nominate their own Fast 50 Reader Favorite. Additionally, a related segment featuring Herman Miller appeared on CNBC and can be viewed by clicking on this link.

About Convia, Inc. Convia/A Herman Miller Company, seeks to change the way people design, build, personalize and manage space. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Buffalo Grove, IL, Convia is dedicated to offering customers agile and programmable environments, which allow for radically flexible spaces. For more information about Convia Programmable Infrastructure, visit www.convia.com

About Herman Miller, Inc. The designs and services of Herman Miller enhance the performance of human habitats worldwide, making customers' lives more productive, rewarding, delightful, and meaningful. The company's award-winning products, complemented by furniture management and strategic consulting services, generated over $1.9 billion in revenue during fiscal 2007. Widely recognized both for its innovative products and business practices, Herman Miller is a recipient of the prestigious National Design Award for product design from the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, and in 2007 the company was once again cited by FORTUNE magazine as the "Most Admired" company in its industry and included among CRO magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." In 2008 Herman Miller was named among the "100 Best Places to Work For" in America by FORTUNE and the Great Places to Work Institute. The company trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MLHR.

Celebrating an Electrifying Yearread

Convia Inc./A Herman Miller Company Recognized for Innovation and Design

BUFALLO GROVE, IL, January 15, 2008 – Convia was recently honored with two renowned industry distinctions for its remarkable innovation and design. The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design presented Convia with a 2007 GOOD DESIGN® Award, and Architectural Record named Convia’s signature product – Convia Programmable Infrastructure – in its 35th Annual Product Reports for 2007.

“These respectable honors are an incredibly rewarding way to commemorate our inaugural year,” said Randy Storch, president of Convia. “They serve as a confirmation of our dynamic commitment to providing truly innovative, sustainable solutions for today’s building industry.”

The GOOD DESIGN Award Program recognizes design innovations for products and graphics designed or manufactured within 2007. For its pioneering flexibility and dynamic design, Convia was selected as a recipient for this prestigious award from among more than 1,000 worthy and competitive applicants from around the world.

An equally coveted honor, Architectural Record’s 35th Annual Product Reports selects building solutions that exceed design expectations within their respective categories. Allowing users to rewire and adjust electrical components on the fly – while viewing energy usage and savings in real time – Convia Programmable Infrastructure was chosen by a panel of industry professionals to be among the top 25 innovative electrical products of 2007.

Electrical Evolution of the Commercial World read

Convia, Inc. - A Herman Miller Company Celebrates One Year Anniversary at Greenbuild International Conference & Expo 2007

CHICAGO, November 7, 2007 – With origins as an electrical and lighting control infrastructure, Convia Programmable Infrastructure from Convia, Inc./A Herman Miller Company has evolved to an innovative building platform that can be extended to thermostats and diffusers, audio/visual control, programmable workstations and more. Celebrating one year of energy savings capabilities and flexible commercial building environments, the company will showcase the newest additions to the award-winning system – such as its "Global Gateway," a feature that enables users to instantly view and control their energy usage – at Greenbuild 2007 in Chicago, November 7-9.

Convia Programmable Infrastructure replaces the traditional "pipe and wire" approach to delivering electric in a space and allows for the complete virtual rewiring of an entire floor or building in just minutes. Switches, lighting or other electrical devices become nodes on the network and are in constant communication with one another. Programming is simple via an easy-to-navigate portal or a two button wand. Convia was recently granted a patent for the use of its wand to create associations between controlling devices (e.g. “switches”) and controlled devices (e.g. “lighting”) on the Convia system[1].

“Customers have responded positively to the monetary and environmental savings the system provides, recognizing the flexibility to personally monitor and manage their energy consumption,” said Randy Storch, president of Convia. “The building platform is quickly being adopted as an industry norm and the success we’ve seen in just a year since we launched the system at Greenbuild 2006 is a solid foundation for even further development.”

Eco-Friendly Flexibility
The potential of the original system was immediately apparent to Air Fixture, a division of Johnson Controls, one of the nation's leading HVAC distributors. Using the Convia platform, Air Fixture created a zoneable HVAC product that allows facility managers to easily rezone their HVAC thermostats and diffusers to correct for hot or cold spots. Additionally, there is an option that allows users to easily regulate the temperature of their workstation simply with a software-based thermostat that controls their diffuser. Research indicates that the single largest complaint of workers involves the temperature of their work environment, but the Johnson Controls system makes this a problem of the past.

“This was a true testament to the momentum the system could build and we’re continuing to look for applications beyond electrical and HVAC,” Storch said. “We’re confident that the product will increasingly resonate in the building industry as we not only increase its value to our customers, but also to the environment.”

Awarded a Gold Best of NeoCon® and a grand prize in the workplace flexibility category of Building's Innovation Awards at NeoCon World's Trade Fair 2007, Convia helps create an office of the future that is immediately responsive to users' ever-changing needs – eliminating extensive time and resources otherwise spent rewiring a space for lighting preferences, room set-up, etc. The system, which uses 100 percent reusable components, also reduces substantial landfill waste and dramatically lowers up-front labor and material costs as well as throughout the lifecycle of the building and can save energy consumption by as much 30 percent[2]. With these sustainable attributes combined, Convia Programmable Infrastructure can contribute up to eight LEED® points to a building, providing an extremely attractive alternative to traditional products.

Absolute Power with a PC
The newest innovation of the system, the Global Gateway enables customers to program it from the convenience of their personal computers, as energy consumption and savings are simultaneously displayed in real time. This one-of-a-kind technology is especially helpful at times when utility companies request energy customers to engage in "load shedding" – the process of decreasing power consumption by shutting off or minimizing the amount of electric appliances in use at any given time – to help prevent electrical disturbances, or "brown outs," from occurring. With the power of controlling an entire building's energy at the touch of button, users of Convia Programmable Infrastructure can set hierarchies of power zones, and prioritize equipment based on users' need and the electrical draw of the fixture, making it possible to instantly turn off low priority and unnecessary utilities. The Global Gateway technology immediately calculates and displays annual energy savings on a screen, while continually monitoring electricity being used to provide prompt feedback on if a space needs to "shed" more energy to meet the request.

About Convia, Inc. Convia, Inc./A Herman Miller Company, seeks to change the way people design, build, personalize and manage space. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, Convia is dedicated to offering customers agile and programmable environments, which allow for radically flexible spaces. For more information about Convia Programmable Infrastructure, visit www.convia.com.

[1] The United States Patent and Trademark Office, US Patent No. 7,277,930 BD, “Switching/Lighting Correlation System”, issued October 2, 2007.

[2] A recent study conducted by The Weidt Group, an independent engineering consultant for high performance buildings, office buildings using Convia Programmable Infrastructure can gain up to 30 percent in annual energy savings as compared to the ASHRAE standard 90.1-2004, the current energy benchmark for buildings

Convia, Inc. Brings Light to California and Title 24 Energy Guidelinesread

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Next-Generation Building Solution to be featured at the Herman Miller National Design Center Event in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, August 28, 2007 – Facing a looming “energy crisis,” communities throughout the state are increasingly required to implement stringent building codes to supplement the already strict energy guidelines mandated by the California Energy Commission. Providing an innovative strategy to help ease this escalating issue, Convia Programmable Infrastructure, a next-generation programmable building platform, enables customers to meet “Title 24” – strict energy guidelines that all residential and non-residential buildings must meet – of California’s statewide Energy Efficiency Standards. The signature product of Convia offers a flexible, cost-efficient and sustainable building solution for commercial spaces and will be showcased at the Herman Miller National Design Center in Los Angeles, August 28-30th.

“As a main provider of electricity in this state, we see first-hand how our customers struggle to abide by commercial building codes and adopt energy efficient strategies,” said Doug Avery, project manager of Southern California Edison, one of the largest electric utilities in the United States and an early adopter of the infrastructure. Convia Programmable Infrastructure is one of four technologies Southern California Edison is installing in an existing office building that is testing an “office of the future” concept.

Avery will be present at the event August 28, along with Convia’s President Randy Storch, to address the system’s capabilities, as well as how it can help meet Title 24 guidelines and create an office of the future.

Convia Programmable Infrastructure replaces the traditional “pipe and wire” approach to delivering electric in a space and allows for the complete virtual rewiring of an entire floor or building in just minutes via a two-button wand. Users can create immediate associations between any electrical device, switch or sensor on the system to form a network that is responsive to their ever-changing needs.

“In less than a year since we introduced the product, we’ve seen success with numerous installations across diverse industries,” said Storch. “The system truly provides exceptional monetary and environmental savings, and we’re confident that further exploration of various applications will enable us to even better maximize the products’ value – to the environment and to our customers.”

The Power to Save Power
Since the adoption of Title 24 nearly 40 years ago, California has realized savings of more than $56 billion in electricity and natural gas and, in an effort to add to these savings, municipalities across the state have established energy guidelines in addition to the title. Utility companies often request their largest energy customers to engage in “load shedding” – the process of decreasing power consumption by shutting off or minimizing the amount of electric appliances in use at any given time – to help prevent electrical disturbances, or “brown outs,” from occurring. With the power of controlling an entire building’s energy at the touch of button, users of Convia Programmable Infrastructure can set hierarchies of power zones and prioritize equipment based on users’ need and the electrical draw of the fixture, making it possible to instantly turn off low priority and unnecessary utilities. Convia’s global gateway immediately calculates and displays annual energy savings on a screen, while continually monitoring electricity being used to provide prompt feedback on if a space needs to “shed” more energy to meet the request.

The only system with this “load shed” technology, along with its capability of contributing to LEED® points – the U.S. Green Building Council’s environmental standards for building – for innovation and efficiency, Convia Programmable Infrastructure gives a glimmer of light in reversing California’s energy crisis.

As shown in a recent study conducted by The Weidt Group, an independent engineering consultant for high performance buildings, office buildings using Convia Programmable Infrastructure can gain up to 30 percent in annual energy savings as compared to the ASHRAE standard 90.1-2004, the current energy benchmark for buildings.

The system, which uses 100 percent reusable components, also eliminates substantial landfill waste and dramatically lowers up-front labor and material costs as well as throughout the lifecycle of the building. The level of flexibility and control the Convia system delivers and the “green” strategies it enables in commercial spaces make it an extremely attractive alternative to traditional building products. From office buildings and architecture firms to university libraries and retail stores, the power of this new technology can be experienced anywhere.

Editor’s Note: The Herman Miller National Design Center is located at: 633 W. 5th, Suite 300, Los Angeles. For more information on the showcase event August 28-30th, or to schedule an interview with Doug Avery, project manager of Southern California Edison, or Randy Storch, president of Convia, please contact Bruce Buursma (616/654-5498 or bruce_buursma@hermanmiller.com) or Stephanie Euler (908/276-4344 ext. 213 or stephanie@sternassociates.com).

Convia Programmable Infrastructure Lights up NeoCon® 2007 read

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Convia Inc./A Herman Miller Company Wins Two Product Awards for Workplace Innovation and Flexibility

CHICAGO, June 11, 2007 – Convia Inc./A Herman Miller Company electrified award competitions at NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair 2007 – the premier exhibition for the commercial furnishings industry held annually at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago – earning a Gold Best of NeoCon award in the workplace technologies category as well as the Grand Prize in the workplace flexibility category of Buildings Magazine's Innovations Awards.

Convia launched in November 2006 and showcased its signature product – Convia Programmable Infrastructure – at this week’s NeoCon trade fair. “It’s especially exciting to be recognized with such honors because Convia is a brand new company and this is the first time we’ve attended NeoCon,” said Randy Storch, president of Convia. “We’ve completed numerous successful installations of the Convia system and winning these awards is an added testament to the innovation our system delivers.” The programmable electrical infrastructure allows for the complete virtual rewiring of an entire floor or building in just minutes. Additionally, it has an embedded lighting control, enabling sophisticated energy savings strategies to be implemented in a space at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

Gone are the days of hardwired switches, lighting and other electrical devices. Convia takes an entirely different approach and creates a network of nodes that can respond to the ever-changing needs of its users. Switches, lighting or other electrical devices become nodes on the network and are in constant communication with one another. Programming is simple and easy via a two-button wand or an easy-to-navigate web portal. The inherent nature of the network makes full building lighting control simple and extremely cost effective. “With Convia, every single light in the building can be turned off with one switch with no added lighting control products, relays or expensive wiring schemes,” says Storch. “And programming the electrical network established by the Convia system in a building couldn’t be easier. Traditionally this type of programming requires specialized staff, but we’ve turned that model on its head and replaced it with one that allows an area to be changed on the fly by anyone in the space with authorization.”

The simple elegance of Convia Programmable Infrastructure can be extended to other building infrastructure components as well. “What began as a new way to deliver electricity, has quickly evolved into a versatile platform, offering the ultimate in flexible, energy-efficient buildings,” said Storch. “HVAC is just one example of a building sub-system that can benefit from the Convia platform. We’re being approached by dozens of building infrastructure manufacturers who are recognizing the system’s applicability, and are exploring possibilities to integrate it into their products and move beyond the realm of electrical and HVAC.”

Additionally, the Convia platform helps achieve economic and environmental flexibility. In a recent third-party survey of 500 office workers, 77 percent said they would be more likely to implement energy saving strategies if it were easier. The level of flexibility and control the Convia system delivers and the “green” strategies it enables in commercial spaces – including 100 percent reusable components, elimination of substantial landfill material and annual energy savings[1] – make it an extremely attractive alternative to traditional building products. The system delivers this infinite level of flexibility at an installed cost that is at or below the cost of traditional alternatives. Along with the up-front savings, users will continue to save on energy and renovation costs throughout the lifecycle of the building.

About Convia, Inc. Convia/A Herman Miller Company, seeks to change the way people design, build, personalize and manage space. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, Convia is dedicated to offering customers agile and programmable environments, which allow for radically flexible spaces. For more information about Convia Programmable Infrastructure, visit www.convia.com.

[1] A recent study conducted by The Weidt Group, an independent engineering consultant for high performance buildings, concluded that a standard office building using Convia Programmable Infrastructure would gain six to 30 percent in annual energy savings as compared to the ASHRAE standard 90.1-2004, the current energy benchmark for buildings.

Rewiring the Country with Convia Programmable Infrastructure read

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Convia/A Herman Miller Company Expands Next-Generation Building Platform Within National Marketplace

CHICAGO, June 11, 2007 – Strengthening the reach of programmable environments across the United States, Convia/A Herman Miller Company announces today its signature product – Convia Programmable Infrastructure – is rapidly gaining momentum in the marketplace and is now being adopted by partners who are integrating the Convia Communications Protocol into their own building infrastructure products. From office buildings and architecture firms to university libraries and retail stores, facilities everywhere are embracing the power of this new technology. The next-generation programmable building platform, showcased this week at the NeoCon® World Trade’s Fair 2007 in Chicago for the first time, offers a flexible, cost-efficient and sustainable building solution for commercial spaces.

“Convia Programmable Infrastructure is helping to rewire the commercial building environment for the 21st century,” said Randy Storch, president of Convia. “With its energy saving attributes and superior flexibility and control, the system will undoubtedly become an industry norm. The numerous installations across diverse industries are a sound testament to the value the technology brings to the market.”

Connecting with Convia Programmable Infrastructure
The signature Convia product is an electrical infrastructure that replaces the traditional “pipe and wire” approach to delivering electric in a space. It allows for the complete virtual rewiring of an entire floor or building in just minutes. Additionally, it has an embedded lighting control, enabling sophisticated energy savings strategies to be implemented in a space at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.

Gone are the days of hardwired switches, lighting and other electrical devices. Convia takes an entirely different approach and creates a network of nodes that can respond to the ever-changing needs of its users. Switches, lighting or other electrical devices become nodes on the network and are in constant communication with one another. Programming is simple and easy via a two-button wand or an easy-to-navigate web portal. The inherent nature of the network makes full building lighting control simple and extremely cost effective. “With Convia, every single light in the building can be turned off with one switch with no added lighting control products, relays or expensive wiring schemes.” says Storch. “And programming the electrical network established by the Convia system in a building couldn’t be easier. Traditionally this type of programming requires specialized staff, but we’ve turned that model on its head and replaced it with one that allows an area to be changed on the fly by anyone in the space with authorization.”

“On average, it takes about three months to make renovations between tenants,” said John Knott, Jr., President and CEO of The Noisette Company, LLC. In search of an easily customizable space to meet successive tenant needs, the S.C.-based developer of sustainable communities installed the Convia system in a space leased by McMillian, Smith and Partners, an architecture and design firm in Charleston, S.C. “With Convia, we can make dramatic changes to personalize space without the headache of tearing down walls or ripping out wires,” adds Knott. “This saves everybody time and money. From the moment a tenant moves in, we can offer them a customized environment with the added benefit of built-in lighting control without bearing costs for changing the infrastructure to address their specific needs.”

Evolving the Electrical Infrastructure
The simple elegance of Convia Programmable Infrastructure can be extended to other building infrastructure components as well. Mike McQueeny, president and founder of Air Fixture in Kansas City, immediately saw the opportunity to create a next-generation HVAC product using the Convia Communications Protocol. “We pride ourselves on pushing the envelope with product development to deliver our customers more value,” said McQueeny whose Flexsys product is distributed by York/Johnson Controls, one of the nation’s leading HVAC distributors. “When we first saw Convia, we knew it was going to change the way buildings are constructed and we wanted to be part of it. We used the protocol to take HVAC to the next level and allow users to virtually re-zone their HVAC with the same two-button wand.” Research indicates that the single largest complaint of workers involves the temperature of their work environment. The new York/Johnson Controls FlexSys system makes this a problem of the past as users in a building will be able to easily control the temperature of their work space by simply choosing which thermostat they want to control their diffuser.

“What began as a new way to deliver electricity, has quickly evolved into a versatile platform, offering the ultimate in flexible, energy-efficient buildings,” said Storch. “HVAC is just one example of a building sub-system that can benefit from the Convia platform. We’re being approached by dozens of building infrastructure manufacturers who are recognizing the system’s applicability, and are exploring possibilities to integrate it into their products and move beyond the realm of electrical and HVAC.”

Achieving Flexibility – Economically and Environmentally
In a recent third-party survey of 500 office workers, 77 percent said they would be more likely to implement energy saving strategies if it were easier. The level of flexibility and control the Convia system delivers and the “green” strategies it enables in commercial spaces – including 100 percent reusable components, elimination of substantial landfill material and annual energy savings – make it an extremely attractive alternative to traditional building products. The system delivers this infinite level of flexibility at an installed cost that is at or below the cost of traditional alternatives. Along with the up-front savings, users will continue to save on energy and renovation costs throughout the lifecycle of the building.

Renovating, Remodeling, Restructuring: Installing a Next Generation Electrical Systemread

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Convia Programmable Infrastructure Provides Flexible, Cost-efficient, Sustainable Solution
to Meet Ever-Changing Tenant Needs

CHICAGO, March 19, 2007 – In today’s booming business world, companies are often changing faster than their physical space can accommodate. Searching for a flexible, cost-efficient and sustainable solution to meet successive tenant needs, The Noisette Company, LLC, a North Charleston, S.C.-based developer of sustainable communities, recently became one of the first in the nation to install Convia Programmable Infrastructure, a next-generation electrical and data system.

Introduced by Convia/A Herman Miller Company in November 2006, the new Convia system is a modular, programmable infrastructure for both power and data that offers “plug-and-play” connections for any interior light, electrical device or control – virtually anywhere within a commercial space and without requiring hardwiring of devices or switches. This ease of installation and reconfiguration allows owners or tenants to readily change the lighting in their physical space in moments via a secure remote control “wand.”

The Noisette Company installed the Convia system in a 2,250-square-foot-space leased by McMillan, Smith and Partners, an architecture and design firm in Charleston, S. C. The system addressed Noisette’s need for an easily customizable space, while providing McMillan, Smith and Partners the ultimate showcase of creative, forward-thinking interior design possibilities to the firm’s potential clients.

“Many tenants move because their current space is very fixed in its environment and it just doesn’t work for them anymore,” said John Knott, Jr., President and CEO, The Noisette Company, LLC. “The way the Convia system is designed, we believe tenants will be able to adapt their space to suit their needs. As a building owner, we’ll be able to increase our tenants’ satisfaction levels with our space and they will be far less likely to leave.”

In a recent third party survey of 500 office workers, nearly half of respondents named the ability to rearrange space as the most important factor with regard to their office space. Featuring scene controllers, Convia Programmable Infrastructure allows McMillan, Smith and Partners to save personalized settings and combinations of lighting and other devices. This gives them the freedom to recall their favorite settings as they prepare for meetings or client presentations with one simple touch of a button.

While the Convia Programmable Infrastructure installs at or below the cost of standard wiring, Noisette anticipates the real cost savings will be realized on an ongoing basis.

“On average, it takes about three months to make renovations between tenants,” adds Knott. “With Convia, we can make dramatic changes to personalize space without the headache of tearing down walls or ripping out wires. This saves everybody time and money. From the moment a tenant moves in, we can offer them a customized environment without bearing costs for changing the infrastructure to address their specific needs.”

“Go Green”
As one of the leading developers of environmentally responsible communities, Noisette seeks renovation solutions that are not only cost effective and flexible, but also sustainable. Convia Programmable Infrastructure is made of 100 percent reusable components and can thus help customers such as Noisette eliminate much of the waste material created by office churn and traditional electric space modifications. Further expanding the sustainability of the Noisette space, soft walls were hung from the Convia infrastructure to serve as space dividers. This helped eliminate approximately 50 lineal feet of traditional drywall that was part of the initial plan.

“Convia gives us a great deal of flexibility down the road,” said Knott, “If McMillan were to move out, we wouldn’t be left with a significant renovation, tear out, and a whole lot of drywall to send to the landfill.”

To maximize energy savings, Noisette is using the system in conjunction with high efficiency light fixtures. In traditional settings, lighting can represent more than half of a building’s energy consumption. And, efficient strategies are often not implemented, as they require more flexibility than traditional electric can accommodate economically. By allowing for unlimited modifications in positioning and configuring energy-efficiency components, and optimizing occupancy, daylight, time and temperature sensors, Convia provides personalized and cost-effective control of power, data, HVAC and lighting systems. In fact, a recent study conducted by The Weidt Group, an independent engineering consultant for high performance buildings, concluded that a standard office building using Convia Programmable Infrastructure would gain six to 30 percent in annual energy savings as compared to the ASHRAE standard 90.1-2004, the current energy benchmark for buildings.

About Convia, Inc.
Convia/A Herman Miller Company seeks to change the way people design, build, personalize and manage space. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, Convia is dedicated to offering customers agile and programmable building environments, which allow for radically flexible spaces. For more information about Convia programmable infrastructure, visit www.hmconvia.com.

About The Noisette Company, LLC
Based in North Charleston, SC, The Noisette Company, LLC is directing the redevelopment of the 340-acre Navy Yard at Noisette, currently one of the largest sustainable urban renewal projects in the United States. Over a 15-year build out, the Noisette redevelopment is projected to encompass a $2 billion aggregate public-private investment designed to revitalize the 3,000-acre historic urban core of the City of North Charleston. More than 10,000 housing units and up to 12 million square feet of commercial space are planned for Noisette. The Noisette redevelopment also includes a number of affiliated non-profit initiatives, including a $30 million restoration of Noisette Creek, job skills training programs and social justice initiatives. In 2005, the Noisette Community Master Plan was awarded top honors by the American Society of Landscape Architects, as a model for community redevelopment throughout the United States. Herman Miller, Inc. is a member of the Noisette Urban Alliance, a national network of companies assisting in the sustainable redevelopment project. For more information on the Noisette Project, visit www.navyyardsc.com, www.noisettesc.com, or email publicaffairs@noisettesc.com.

New Study Shows Convia Programmable Infrastructure Offers Significant Energy Savingsread

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Next-generation electrical system also provides increased flexibility at a fraction of the price

CHICAGO, November 29, 2006 – A report released today shows that Convia Programmable Infrastructure, a next-generation electrical and data system recently introduced at Greenbuild 2006 in Denver, offers significant energy savings. Conducted by The Weidt Group, an independent engineering consultant for high performance buildings, the study concluded that a standard office building using Convia programmable infrastructure would gain six to 30 percent in annual energy savings as compared to the ASHRAE standard 90.1-2004, the current energy benchmark for buildings. Furthermore, Convia’s flexibility offers the potential to recapture energy savings of 20 to 60 percent that are otherwise lost when implemented with traditional electric systems. A copy of the energy report can be downloaded from www.hmconvia.com.

Introduced by Convia/A Herman Miller Company, the new Convia system is a modular, programmable infrastructure for both power and data that offers “plug-and-play” connections for any interior light, electrical device or control. This ease of installation and reconfiguration allows owners or tenants to readily change the lighting and other devices in their physical space in moments, at little or no cost. The Weidt Group’s study focused on the value of Convia programmable infrastructure’s flexibility and evaluated the system’s overall energy savings, the simplicity of adjusting and correcting energy-efficiency settings, and the cost of space-use changes in an average office building of 194,000 square feet.

Energy savings, indoor environmental quality and flexibility are recognized as important factors in a building’s financial health, including its ability to attract and retain quality tenants and employees. However, they are often compromised by tenant churn, the inability to easily reconfigure physical space, and the restrictive costs of implementing energy efficient controls. In addition, lighting represents an approximate average of 25 to 60 percent of energy consumption in a building, but energy efficiency strategies are often not implemented, as they require more flexibility than traditional electric can accommodate economically. The study showed that the flexibility of Convia programmable infrastructure – which makes it easier to add or change controls as needed and move or change the location of sensors based on occupant preferences – allows for significantly less expensive adjustments during both installation and throughout the life cycle of the building. Therefore, strategies such as daylighting controls are more likely to be implemented successfully with Convia programmable infrastructure as opposed to traditional electrical systems and at a much lower cost. The report also found that buildings utilizing combinations of such controls offered the largest savings, with values near 30 percent.

“With energy costs rising and the increasing emphasis on protecting our environment, building owners, architects and designers alike are looking for ways to save both money and natural resources,” said Randy Storch, president, Convia. “Convia programmable infrastructure offers one simple solution to address both of these challenges.”

“Go Reconfigure”
Convia programmable infrastructure is a modular electrical infrastructure that delivers “plug-and-play” power virtually anywhere within a commercial space without requiring hardwiring of devices or switches. Eliminating the constraints of traditional electrical systems, this next-generation infrastructure invites architects, interior designers, electrical contractors, building owners and tenants to “go reconfigure” and create flexible, sustainable environments that can be easily – and instantly – modified or upgraded. Using infrared technology via a secure, remote control “wand,” Convia offers programmable electricity and allows all users to install, upgrade or relocate any electrical device (e.g. lighting fixtures, security cameras, electronic displays, thermostats, speakers, etc.), switch or sensor in moments.

About Herman Miller, Inc.
Herman Miller helps create great places to work, heal, learn, and live by researching, designing, manufacturing, and distributing innovative interior solutions that support companies, organizations, and individuals all over the world. The company’s award-winning products, complemented by furniture management and strategic consulting services, generated over $1.7 billion in revenue during fiscal 2006. Herman Miller is widely recognized for both its innovative products and business practices. Herman Miller is a recipient of the prestigious National Design Award for product design from the Smithsonian Institution’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. In 2006, the company was once again cited by Fortune magazine as the “Most Admired” company in its industry and is among Business Ethics magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens.” The company trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MLHR. For additional information, visit www.HermanMiller.com.

An Electrical Evolutionread

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Convia, Inc., a new Herman Miller Company, Electrifies Greenbuild 2006 with Programmable Power and Data Infrastructure for Sustainable Spaces and Design Freedom

DENVER, November 14, 2006 – Gone are the days of power outlets limiting space and confining building design. Convia, a new Herman Miller Company, is rewiring thinking about traditional electricity with the debut of its signature product, Convia Programmable Infrastructure, at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo held in Denver’s Colorado Convention Center (Booth #1201) from November 14-17.

Convia Inc. seeks to change the way people design, build, personalize and manage space. Convia Programmable Infrastructure is a modular and programmable electrical infrastructure that delivers “plug-and-play” power virtually anywhere within a commercial space without requiring hardwiring of devices or switches. Eliminating the constraints of traditional electrical systems, this next-generation infrastructure invites architects, interior designers, electrical contractors, building owners and tenants to “go reconfigure” and create flexible, sustainable environments that can be easily – and instantly – modified or upgraded. Convia allows users to accomplish all of this with installation costs that are at or below and life cycle costs that are a fraction of the cost of traditional electric. “In today’s fast-paced marketplace, companies are constantly up- or downsizing,” said Randy Storch, president of Convia. “Renovating space can be a headache for all parties involved, from tenants and building owners to operators and contractors. With Convia, electrical reconfigurations that could take days or even weeks to complete with traditional hardwiring can be performed within minutes at no cost.” “Go Reconfigure”

Recognizing that change is constant and buildings are rigid, Convia tears down the barriers of hardwiring systems to accommodate dramatic changes in space. Using infrared technology via a secure, remote control “wand” designed by Grimshaw Industrial Design, the leader in industrial design, Convia offers programmable electricity and allows all users – trained and untrained alike – to install, upgrade or relocate any electrical device (e.g. lighting fixtures, security cameras, electronic displays, thermostats, speakers, etc.), switch or sensor in moments. Using the wand, any off-the-shelf electrical or electronic devices that are plugged into Convia’s system connectors can be “programmed” and grouped with each other via a communication and control network, regardless of what electrical circuit they are connected to. To personalize space, users simply “point and click” a two-button wand to change the power connection. In addition, Convia delivers High Speed Ethernet capabilities to any IP appliance such as digital displays, VOIP or wireless hubs that receive power from the system.

“Electrical systems have not changed in more than 60 years, but the ways in which we work have – dramatically,” said Storch. “Convia offers the next generation in electrical to accommodate the advances we’ve made in the past six decades. The beauty of Convia is that this ‘next-generation’ functionality is delivered at a fraction of the cost of today’s alternatives.”

Glowing Green
In a nation defined by its infatuation with cars, the auto industry is often presumed to be the greatest contributor to global warming. While vehicles account for 27 percent of all energy consumed in the United States, commercial buildings’ energy demand towers above this number, at approximately 36 percent of energy consumed. Recognizing the importance of sustainable environments, more companies are “going green” in their facilities’ design, yet roughly half of all of today’s available conservation methods are never put in place because buildings’ electrical systems can’t effectively support them and modifications are cost prohibitive. Convia is designed to accommodate the sophisticated devices and complex electrical configurations required to achieve optimum energy efficiency, at a fraction of the cost of traditional electric.

On average, lighting represents approximately 40 to 60 percent of energy consumption in a building. By allowing for unlimited modifications in positioning and configuring energy-efficiency components, and optimizing occupancy, daylight, time and temperature sensors, Convia provides personalized and cost-efficient control of power, data, HVAC and lighting systems. By reducing energy consumption, it can help qualify for federal and some municipal tax energy credits of up to $1.80 per square foot of a building, of which $.60 is associated with reduced lighting. The system also may contribute points to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™, the national benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, by enabling more cost-effective adoption of efficient devices and components. In addition, Convia eliminates the landfill waste that often is created when buildings using traditional electric infrastructure are modified because 100 percent of Convia components are reusable. On average, the renovation of a 20,000-square-foot space would yield waste of approximately 10,000 feet of branch conduit, all associated fittings and supports, 600 backboxes for branch wiring, 40,000 feet of branch circuit wire and 62,000 feet of telephone and data wires.

Breaking Barriers, Not the Bank
Reconfiguring and remodeling commercial space can be expensive. In many cases it can mean delayed occupancy, or putting an existing business at a standstill as costly renovations are performed. While the initial cost of installing Convia falls at or even below that of traditional hardwire electric, it can save enormous time and expense throughout the lifecycle of a building.

With Convia the need for expensive and time-consuming electrical modifications, construction and labor is dramatically reduced. Since tenants can easily customize space themselves to meet their changing needs, productivity is enhanced and their overall satisfaction is improved, thereby reducing tenant churn.

One Solution, Two Ways
Convia is available in two configurations: an open ceiling grid system and a customizable, plenum-rated system for use in conjunction with traditional, finished ceilings incorporating air-handling systems. The grid is best suited for open ceilings and is ideal for people who seek the ultimate in flexibility. In addition to the strengths of the programmable power and data infrastructure, it also enables place making with wall and ceiling products, to easily and economically reconfigure physical space as needs change.

The plenum-rated compatible version is designed for closed or drop ceilings. While this version doesn’t offer as much place-making capability as the open ceiling grid system, it delivers superior performance and value compared to traditional wiring solutions. All components on this system utilize Convia’s smart connectors enabling rapid movement of devices, and are fully programmable. The open ceiling grid system and plenum-rated system are compatible and can both be used in a space to get maximum benefit. With Convia, new or renovated interior spaces become programmable environments, responsive to the ever-changing needs of the modern commercial space.