Page 24 - Starwood

ADDITIONAL INF ORMA TION

Research

& Innovation

Haworth invests heavily in primary research that provides an in-depth
understanding of the ways in which environments affect productivity and

stimulate mental output, and we have benchmarked some of the best
companies in the world to gain insight into the forces shaping and driving

workplace culture and change.

Haworth’s in-house research team is comprised of scholars Haworth also draws upon in-house design talent, as well as
and strategists who bring expertise in diverse fields, including external consultants, furthering its network of individuals who
engineering, ergonomics, industrial design, innovation, engage and collaborate with experts from around the world
sustainability, and communications. Our research informs our to maintain a fresh global perspective, create new network
direction; the knowledge gained aids us in developing innovative opportunities, and uncover unique supplier connections.
spaces, strategically planned for maximum effectiveness. They employ an approach we refer to as “Design + Science,”
Our research strategists will continue to conduct and manage intended and orchestrated to combine the intuitive, emotional,
long- and short-term research initiatives, connecting research and pragmatic characteristics of the design process with the
outcomes to relevant customer solutions for present and future. analytical, empirical rigor of scientific study. This approach to
Haworth has actively been engaged in primary, secondary, and research and development, along with related data analysis, is an
tertiary research for many years and is committed to pursuing essential element in acquiring the knowledge that allows Haworth
this approach indefinitely. to provide the greatest value to its customers.

As further evidence of our investment in R&D, we’ve built Throughout its history Haworth has partnered with other
significant capability in Research, Advanced Design, and Material organizations to gain insights from field evaluation and research.
Science Labs. We have encouraged a culture of innovation A notable example of this is our partnership with the Human
expectation, championed and led by our Advanced Development, Performance Institute at Western Michigan University. For
Design Studio, and Workplace Research teams. These three more than 12 years, Haworth and Western have investigated
teams represent a broad range of expertise (Advanced ergonomics by examining the physical relationship between
Development consists of mechanical and electrical engineers, individuals and seating surfaces. This effort has resulted in over
material scientists and research specialists; the Design Studio 5.5 billion high-resolution pressure mapping data points used to
includes product designers, material and finish experts, understand seating phenomena. Haworth engineers incorporate
ergonomists, product/market research, and space developers; these analytics in new product development, meaning customers
and Workplace Research is comprised of research scientists benefit from the very latest in scientific discovery.
and workplace strategists). Collectively, these three teams have
been charged with exploring new ways of meeting our customers’
explicit and latent needs, and they work closely to align their
efforts to fill the funnel of innovation and solve customer issues at
organizational, facility, and performance levels.

24 Haworth and JC White Response to Request for Proposal