Steelcase and Armstrong Introduce Portfolio of Noise Reducing Ceiling Products
February 16, 2009 – Grand Rapids, Mich. – Steelcase Inc. (NYSE:SCS), a global office environments manufacturer, and Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI), the global leader in the design and manufacture of floors, ceilings and cabinets, today announced a collaboration initiative to market products branded Steelcase by Armstrong that address the problem of noise in the workplace. The first product to be released under this collaboration is SoundScapes®, a portfolio of acoustical canopies and clouds intended to reduce noise level and reverberation time in open plenum and suspended ceiling environments.
As work is becoming more collaborative and more space is devoted to team and group work, noise levels are rising in open plan environments. In fact, a recent IFMA (International Facility Management Association) survey found that noise is one of workers’ top complaints. And an ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) paper, “Sound Solutions”, reported that 70% of respondents indicated their productivity would improve if their office was less noisy.
Several recent trends in office design also impact office noise levels: cubicle partition heights are lower with less surface area to block sound; open structure facilities without finished acoustical ceilings absorb less sound; and greater use of under-floor air usually makes buildings quieter, so conversation and other incidental noise is more pronounced.
The sound absorbing properties of SoundScapes help reduce reverberation time in the space below them, making them ideal for individual and team spaces. Installed as individual units or grouped together, SoundScapes can make a subtle or a strong visual statement. Shapes are available in ten flat, fiberglass shapes including squares, circles, trapezoids and hexagons. SoundScapes are also available in concave (Hills) and convex (Valleys) canopies.
“Acoustical performance is becoming a bigger issue in today’s workplace, as more collaboration takes place,” said Mike Lobbestael, general manager of the Architectural Solutions Group for Steelcase. “The Armstrong relationship enables us to provide a full range of specialty products that solve for high need acoustical areas within the workplace, balancing the need for focused work and acoustical privacy and interaction and social activity for today’s workforce.”
“We are excited to be collaborating with Steelcase to bring these products to market,” said Joann Davis Brayman, VP, Commercial Marketing for Armstrong. “Steelcase understands the workplace environment and the growing need for acoustical solutions, and Armstrong has a strong heritage in developing products that meet that need.”
SoundScapes are recyclable through Armstrong’s recycling program and have recycled content ranging from 44% to 70%. They contribute towards LEED® credits and are also fully reusable and reconfigure easily as workplaces evolve.
About Armstrong World Industries
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of floors, ceilings and cabinets. In 2007, Armstrong’s consolidated net sales totaled approximately $3.5 billion. Based in Lancaster, PA, Armstrong operates 40 plants in 10 countries and has approximately 12,300 employees worldwide. www.armstrong.com
About Steelcase Inc.
Steelcase provides furniture, services and insights to help people have a better work experience, and to help companies and organizations create inspiring spaces with a maximum impact on performance and a minimum impact on the environment. A Michigan-based company that has been serving customers for nearly a century, Steelcase leads the global office furniture industry with $3.4 billion in annual revenue.
Contact:
for Steelcase
Jeanine Holquist
616.698.3765
jholquis@steelcase.com