KNOLL, INC.
2005 HONOREE
Marketing of Modernism
Leading American furniture manufacturer Knoll, Inc. has been selected to receive the 2005 Russel Wright Marketing of Modernism Award. Founded in 1938 by Hans Knoll, who died in 1955 and drawing leadership and design direction from his wife, Florence Knoll until 1965, this company introduced and successfully promoted many of the iconic industrial designers of the Bauhaus International Style and mid-century Modern period. Knoll designs included works by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Throughout its history, Knoll has continuously brought the best of textiles, furniture and lighting in the modern tradition to market through its introductions and sympathetic corporate acquisitions such as the 1968 addition of Italian furniture manufacturer Gavina, which brought designs of Marcel Breuer to the Knoll portfolio.
Founded in 1938, Knoll pioneered the principles of modern design in the workplace, from space planning to furniture to accessories. More than 40 Knoll products are exhibited in the permanent Design Collection of The Museum of Modern Art in New York. Headquartered in East Greenville, Pennsylvania, Knoll serves clients in North America through a network of more than 200 dealerships and 100 showrooms and regional offices. The Company operates four manufacturing sites in North America: East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Grand Rapids and Muskegon, Michigan; and Toronto, Ontario. In addition, Knoll has plants in Foligno and Graffignana, Italy. The Knoll commitment to high environmental standards is mandated by a comprehensive Environmental, Health & Safety Management Plan.
"What impresses us most about Knoll today is that while it is primarily a highly technologically-oriented Office Systems company in which modular office systems and related products constitute 65% or more of its $700 million in annual sales, the company continues to offer and promote its famous modernist designs from throughout its history and continues to manufacturer them to it highest standards," explained Manitoga Co-President Andrew W. Capitman. "Without Knoll, Modernism would have had a much lower visibility in America and would be far less accessible to the public today. A key factor in Russel Wright's success was his effectiveness in communicating the values behind his designs, and Knoll sustains its success by promoting similar traditions. Manitoga's ongoing admiration for Knoll is also reflected in the fact that past Russel Wright Award Winners for Design Massimo and Lela Vignelli (2001), Jack Lenor Larsen (2003) and Jens Risom (2004) all completed commissions for Knoll."
Accepting the Russel Wright Award for Knoll will be its Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Cogan. "The Modernist tradition that inspired Russel Wright and our founders continues to energize Knoll today. Whether it is the design of a product, a program or some form of communication, design integrity is our guiding principle. We are extremely pleased to be recognized by Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center for this ongoing commitment to design," Mr. Cogan said.