Corporate Information

About Steelcase

100 YEARS OF STEELCASE

Founded in 1912 as the Metal Office Furniture Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Steelcase is over 100 years old.

Our innovation legacy began in 1914 when we received our first patent for the manufacturing process developed to make a strong, durable, low-cost fireproof wastebasket – a major innovation at that time.

Looking back, it’s clear our company has always been about looking forward. Our past, present and future are all about turning insights into innovations that unlock the promise of people at work and make the world a better place.

View our interactive Timeline
OUR VALUES

Steelcase was founded in 1912 by a few people with a strong commitment to integrity and doing the right thing. Their principles became the foundation of our company, passed on from decade to decade.

Our employees are our greatest asset and living these values is at the core of all that we do, just as it was in the past.

At Steelcase we:
- Act with integrity
- Tell the truth
- Keep commitments
- Treat people with dignity and respect
- Promote positive relationships
- Protect the environment
- Excel
OUR PORTFOLIO

Our first patent in 1914 led to metal desks. And we’ve led the way with product and service innovations ever since.

Our portfolio of solutions addresses the three core elements: interior architecture, furniture and technology.

The result is a comprehensive portfolio of products, furnishings and services for the workplace and healthcare and education spaces.

All brands design for social, economic and environmental sustainability.
QUICK FACTS
- Steelcase, Inc. is a global, publicly traded company.
- We lead our industry with fiscal 2016 revenue of approximately $3.1 billion.
- Steelcase employs nearly 10,000 workers.
- The leadership team is based at the global headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- We are globally accessible through a network of channels, including over 650 dealers.
- Today, Steelcase, Inc. encompasses of three core brands — Steelcase, turnstone and Coalesse and several sub-brands, including Steelcase Health and Steelcase Education.

Diversity + Inclusion

As a global company, Steelcase is dedicated to creating relationships with diverse businesses. We promote cultural acceptance through:
- Fair recruiting and hiring processes.
- Raising awareness among employees of diversity issues.
- Creating partnerships with other companies that support diversity.
We share our diversity education endeavors company-wide with “Think Sessions,” or assemblies, designed to provoke discussion among leaders about creating a diverse workplace.

Steelcase also partners with several organizations to bring influential speakers to the community. Working with Grand Rapids Community College, TED and the World Affairs Council, we’ve hosted B.D. Wong, Eric Alva, and Prince Cedza Dlamini, among others, who have shared new ways of thinking about diversity and inclusion.
Steelcase demonstrates our company-wide devotion to global inclusion with EEO and diversity training. Since the early 1980s, EEO sessions have been required for all employees, in order to improve harassment awareness and leadership skills.

Since our company’s founding, we’ve placed a great emphasis on thinking and acting with integrity. Our corporate standards reflect that by surpassing legal and regulatory requirements in countries where we do business.

In 2000, Steelcase began providing Global Business Standards training to Steelcase employees worldwide to encourage the practicing of good business principles.

Additionally, we encourage our dealers, suppliers, service providers, consultants and business partners to operate with integrity. As a company, we are committed to embracing and exploring all aspects of diversity from employee education to dealer and supplier relationships.
INTERNAL EFFORTS

We focus on increasing our employment diversity by regularly reporting measures to senior leaders. Many of our employees dedicate time and effort to bridging cultural gaps. A number of Steelcase employees have spoken publicly on topics regarding diversity and inclusion. Several company leaders serve as board members and active members of organizations focused specifically on global inclusion efforts.

INTERNAL GROUPS

Steelcase has a number of internal groups focused on diversity and inclusion efforts.

The Inclusion Partners group at Steelcase was formed in 2008-2009 to better the work experience of all employees. The group includes 20 employees around the globe and meets once a month to discuss ways to increase employee understanding and awareness of the many diverse characteristics that comprise our company.

Another internal group that enhances our global diversity efforts is Inclusive Partners.
INFORUM

Steelcase is a corporate member of Inforum, a professional women’s alliance in Michigan. With more than 2,000 members, Inforum’s mission is to strengthen the business environment in Michigan by creating opportunities for women to lead and succeed. Several female leaders at Steelcase were charter (founding) members of the West Michigan chapter of Inforum, which has over 500 members representing most of the major companies in the region.

DIVERSITY FORUM

Steelcase’s Diversity Forum is a periodic meeting of company leaders. The objectives of the forum are to:
- Build awareness of our diversity efforts.
- Share ideas for creating long-term diverse activities.
- Facilitate a global network to positively influence our diversity efforts.
- Empower leaders to personalize diversity efforts within their teams.