OfficeWorks Back to the 80's

OfficeWorks started in 1984 after a conversation between Tom O'Neil and a former Xerox colleague, now a Territory Manager for Herman Miller. Despite modest initial sales of $392, the company grew rapidly, reaching $10.8M by the end of the 1980s.

Office Works Blast from the Past 1980s HERO
Office Works Tom O Neil 2

Back to the 1980's

"The whole concept of what was to become Officeworks started with a discussion in late 1983 with a former colleague from my sales team at Xerox. He had left Xerox a year after I had and his new role was the Territory Manager for Herman Miller. His top objective was to find a new dealer for the Central Indiana market. Despite being two years into a new career in commercial real estate with the FC Tucker company, I agreed to explore the opportunity. After researching Herman Miller and the contract furniture industry, I saw the potential for a $3 - $5M business. Following several recruiting visits to Herman Miller's HQ in Michigan, we agreed with a handshake to become the new Herman Miller dealer in Indianapolis.

The following six months were a whirlwind of activity, involving the creation of a new company, building and furnishing a showroom, hiring team members, and creating the first business plan. On October 1, 1984, Officeworks opened in a vacant office in Merchants Plaza with borrowed and broken furniture. Sales for that year were a modest $392.00. However, by 1986, sales grew to $2.1M, and Officeworks became one of the five original Office Pavilions in the country, a new distribution concept from Herman Miller. Leveraging Herman Miller's strong resources and assembling a talented and engaged team, Officeworks experienced a growth track of over 500% in the next three years, reaching $10.8M in sales by the end of the decade. I recall those early years as a time of excitement, anticipation, fear, and "now what?" As with most small businesses, the team wore many hats, including unloading 18-wheelers on the loading dock at both Merchants and Castleton."

OfficeWorks in the 80s

Office Works Decade 80s 1984

1984

As a response to Herman Miller’s desire to create a more holistic approach to the work environment in Central Indiana, our CEO, Tom O’Neil, founded OfficeWorks along with executives from FC Tucker commercial real estate.

Office Works Decade 80s 1985 1

1985:

Herman Miller introduces Ethospace, a revolutionary frame and tile design for systems furniture that brought enhanced aesthetics and flexibility to the work environment.

Office Works Decade 80s 1986 2

1986:

OfficeWorks becomes one of the five original Office Pavilions, a designation from Herman Miller. This partnership provided OfficeWorks with significant brand recognition and access to a curated collection of high-quality office furniture.

Office Works Decade 80s 1987

1987:

OfficeWorks moves to a larger showroom in the Capital Center and opens a branch office in Lafayette, IN

Office Works Decade 80s 1988 1

1988:

OfficeWorks celebrates the opening of the new Indianapolis Zoo with a series of ads incorporating a playful combination of wild animals and iconic Herman Miller products

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