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When izzy+ was created more than a decade ago, the company was pushing the boundaries of the industry. It was a disruptive company that

threatened to change the way office and educational fur-niture was designed and specified.

But the industry has caught up with izzy+ over the years, threatening to make it just another mid-sized company trying to find its way in brutally competitive industry. Kevin Kuske is determined that not happen.

The president and chief executive officer of the Spring Lake, Mich. company has had a year-and-a-half to assess the company and he is determined to make izzy+ the dis-ruptive force it once was by revamping its product line-up and returning to its core values of “speed to market” and “speed to respond” to customer needs.

“If you think about what Chuck (Saylor) and his team started, it was for people to be focused,” Kuske said. “He was concerned about the wellness theme in the of-fice and the idea of variety and movement. There are two problems with why people don’t move in the office:

Makers:izzy+By ROB KIRKBRIDE

The president and chief executive officer of the company has had a year-and-a-half to assess the company and he is determined to make izzy+ the disruptive force it once was by revamping its product lineup and returning to its core values.

Products traditionally lock people into their positions and the space was not designed for people to move.”

So izzy+ wants to be a leader, not just in how furniture is developed for the office, but how the office is designed as well. Instead of rows of desk, why not create nodes where people can move from one place to another? The company is launching two products at NeoCon that will help with both — rounding out the company’s offerings and creating a more active office.

The first is Sylvi, a modular lounge collection that is a bit different than anything else on the market. The prod-uct is designed to create a fresh, personal space that feels and looks like you’re working at home that also provides an enclosed sense of privacy. The product fits well in a public hotel lobby, corporate cafe, educational setting — you name it.

Designed by Joey Ruiter, Sylvi can be specified for a place where people can quickly touch down or be used to create a sense of solitude. Aesthetically, it is unique. By using screens and other accessories, Sylvi can be used for

a variety of areas. Sylvi pairs perfectly with people work-ing outside traditional office spaces, and it looks equally at home in upscale lobbies, break-out spaces and those in-between places where you just need to recharge and take a break. Sylvi offers residential-like comfort while holding its own under the wear-and-tear pressures of the corporate world.

“The sweet spot for Sylvi’s design is being something that you’d want to take home. It’s something covetable that wasn’t prescribed for a specific building or institu-tion, but still works in those spaces,” said Ruiter.

His ongoing exploration of second and third spaces with izzy+ includes the award-winning Dewey 6-top ta-ble and learning collection, as well as architectural ele-ments like the Nemo bar and trellis – a hub for reflection, connection and collaboration.

Sylvi has clean lines and a straight-forward design to inspire a range of modern looks with high fabric ef-ficiency. “Sylvi is truly a creative canvas. Designers will really appreciate the simple form language that allows

Sylvi lounge with Penny table

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bold patterns to take center stage without the disruption of seams or conflicting forms and curves,” said Allison Roon, director of design for izzy+. “The upholstery can waterfall over the cushion edge without seams as well to maximize pattern matching and fabric yield.”

Embracing mobile technology, the metal frame hosts hidden USB and power plugins. This under-cushion channel also helps connect embedded tables, magazine rack and coat hook accessories. A wide range of recti-linear or angular shapes can be created with Sylvi, on a large or small scale. Attachable backer panels allow de-signers to create a space within a space with Sylvi. The slight tilt and exacting height of the laminated panels create an open enclosure. You know you’re in a private space – and you have line of sight to the people and the activity surrounding you.

The other new product from izzy+, the Penny table, is a height adjustable worksurface for a lounge setting. The product was designed for a specific customer — a hotel chain that wanted to give its guests a place to work when pulled up to a lounge chair or sofa. izzy+ liked it so well they added it to the product line.

It’s simple in its form and function and works a bit like a bicycle seat. When your bike seat needs an adjust-ment, you loosen the clamp underneath the seat, find the most comfortable level and refasten the post. That’s exactly how Penny adjusts. The new height adjustable column provides 10 inches of flexibility, and holds up to 11 pounds.

It is designed for people who want to work outside the traditional office. “With today’s mobile technology, people often use lobby lounge seating or a café sofa as a

touchdown area,” said Roon. “Penny offers smart, intui-tive support for the dynamic ways that people work.”

The new height adjustable feature was created by the izzy+ design and engineering teams. The original table designers are Joe Ricchio, Ricchio Design, and Matt Duncan, Morphix Design.

“These products create more nodes in the office,” Kuske said. “I can see them standing at a Nemo bar, then sitting on Sylvi, going over to a couch and grabbing a height adjustable Penny. If you want people to move, but you don’t give them places to move, they are not going to do it. Leaders need to create permission to move around too. I had one executive complain to me that no one was using the in between spaces in the office. I asked him, ‘How often do you use the in between spaces?’ He said, ‘Never. I always work in my office.’”

Kuske said he is confident the new products will help move izzy+ back to a position of innovation in the indus-try. Sylvi harkens back to earlier Harter products too, he said, calling it a modern classic.

“A lot of stuff in collaborative spaces is very trendy,” he said. “izzy+ is trying to do something that is more endur-ing; something that will stand the test of time. It is a big part of our back to the future story.

“Also, we are reinvigorating that product development engine that izzy+ is known for. There is more muscle be-hind it that is going to get it going faster. The products we are launching will come to market in less than a year. Our internal capabilities need to be faster and we need to focus on a stronger customs capability. We want to be the ones who say ‘yes.’ Those are our two focuses.” Q