OfficeWorks Back to the 2000s
Upon reflection of the challenging decade of the 2000s, we are mindful and grateful for the passion, creativity and resiliency of our team.
Back to the 2000s
The decade of the “oughts” was one of great challenge for all businesses. Early in the decade, the Dot-Com bubble burst causing a recession that saw the office furniture industry lose over 25% of revenue. At the tail end of the decade, the “Great Recession” of ‘08-’09 had a global impact, and saw our industry lose upwards of 35% of revenue.
Through all of these challenges, our flagship manufacturer, Herman Miller, continued its legacy of outstanding design with the introduction of the Mirra chair in 2004, and the Setu and Embody chairs in 2009. The Setu was named Design of the Decade by IDSA, making it three decades in a row that Herman Miller seating achieved this recognition (following the Equa in the 80s and the Aeron in the 90s).
The decade also saw two significant events in the history of Officeworks. In 2000 we were certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and in 2002, we moved to our current location in Fishers. These events helped position us to survive the challenges of the decade, and in the case of the MBE, supported our Core Value of “To Help Build a Better Community”. This led to us helping create the Hispanic Business Council of the Indy Chamber, and establish a scholarship, still in existence, for minority students at the IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering.
Upon reflection of this challenging decade, we are mindful and grateful for the passion, creativity and resiliency of our team.
2000
OfficeWorks achieved certification as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), marking a key milestone in our commitment to diversity and inclusion. This certification improved our standing in the industry and expanded our ability to serve a broader range of clients, reflecting our core values of promoting an equitable business environment.
2002
Tom O'Neil served as President of The Indianapolis Hispanic Chamber and joined the Board of the Indy Chamber. His leadership and dedication to our Core Value of ‘To Help Build a Better Community’ played a key role in co-founding the Hispanic Business Council, an initiative that continues to benefit and support the growth and development of the community.
2005
The OfficeWorks - Tom O'Neil Scholarship was established, providing funds for Hispanic students studying at the IU School of Informatics (now known as the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing & Engineering).
2004-2009
OfficeWorks moved to its current headquarters in Fishers, Indiana, coinciding with Herman Miller's introduction of three new products: the Mirra chair in 2004 and the Setu and Embody chairs in 2009. These milestones reflect OfficeWorks' and Herman Miller's shared commitment to growth and innovation.
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