Herman Miller reorganizes leadership and operations, promotes 4 execs

ZEELAND — Herman Miller Inc. will centralize its leadership and integrate functions of several business segments bid to better streamline its organizational structure and accelerate growth.   

According to a statement, the Zeeland-based office furniture company said its North American contract furniture operation, which includes its work, government, health care and education businesses, will now have a centralized leadership. The move is expected “to streamline operational capabilities and improve service to dealers and contract customers.”

Greg Bylsma will now serve as president of the North America contract business unit. He previously worked as the COO of Herman Miller North America.

The company also will create centralized leadership for its Geiger, Herman Miller Collection, and Maharam operations within the specialty business segment “to accelerate growth while enhancing the product and service offering….”

Steve Gane, previously the executive vice president and president of the Geiger and Herman Miller Collection, has been promoted to lead the speciality brands business unit as president.

Additionally, Herman Miller said it would combine its strategy, mergers and acquisitions, channel development and I.T. functions. Jeremy Hocking will now serve as the executive vice president of strategy and business development. Previously, Hocking was senior vice president of strategic planning and business development.

Lastly, the company said it would merge its creative direction and new product commercialization functions, which will be led by Ben Watson, who was promoted to chief creative officer. Watson previously served as executive creative director.

The reorganizational initiative, dubbed “Overdrive,” is intended to transform the company into “a global, multi-channel, modern lifestyle brand,” according to a statement.