Tarkett’s Acczent heterogeneous sheet collections are created with superior strength for the most demanding spaces. Now with a 32-mil wear layer and state-of-the-art Techtonic XD protection, each surface provides unmatched durability against stains, scratches, gouges, and scuffs without requiring floor finish. Thermo-fused welding creates a monolithic surface to support easy cleaning and improved hygiene.

The entire collection is Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly to support better indoor air quality. Pair Acczent with Tarkett’s RollSmart adhesive for use under hospital beds and for shortened installation times and immediate traffic and seam welding.

Key features:

• 

  Protected with Techtonic XD excimer-cured polyurethane for superior resistance to stains, scratches, gouges, and scuffs without requiring floor finish

• Thermo-fused welding creates a monolithic surface
• Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly
• Choose from 38 beautiful wood and stone looks
• Coordinates with iD Latitude luxury vinyl tile, helping you create visually cohesive spaces that meet specific performance needs
• LRV Sheet

Learn more about Acczent heterogeneous sheet collections at Tarkett.

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A multidisciplinary jury of 42 architects, designers, specifiers, enterprise clients, and facility managers (FMs) — including leaders from Gensler, Corgan, CannonDesign, Marmon Mok, Shepley Bulfinch, Aflac and Walgreens — convened on-site at THE MART to evaluate submissions throughout the NeoCon show floors. An additional panel of eight business media professionals and two facility managers determined the Business Impact Awards. See the full jury list here.

The jurors were incredibly thoughtful and rigorous in their evaluations this year. The winning products aren’t just keeping pace with industry trends — they’re actively driving critical design movements, from circularity and neuro-inclusive thinking to the integration of AI and advanced material innovation. We saw manufacturers embrace empathy, rethink flexibility, and experiment with form and function, addressing the evolving ways people live, work, heal, learn and connect now.

Eileen McMorrow, director of Best of NeoCon

The Best of Competition-winning ASTORIA collection by HALCON is tailored for the modern workplace and crafted to create elevated spaces for connection, conversation and community. Jurors praised the well-appointed assortment for its exceptional design and everyday usability, highlighting its sculptural bases, refined materials and thoughtfully concealed rolling casters. With flexible configurations, integrated technology options, and meticulous attention to detail, ASTORIA offers a compelling solution for today’s dynamic environments.

“Elegance is the key word when it comes to ASTORIA. It makes the capabilities seem too good to be true. Here, you will not be sacrificing design for functionality,” notes the jury. The line was also recognized for Gold Awards in the Collections for Collaboration, Tables: Café, and Tables: Conference categories.

Best of Competition finalists included Davis Furniture’s JeLa Guest, Extremis’s Panigiri, Isomi’s Knit One, and Keilhauer’s Unifi.

Other manufacturers, such as Arktura, DARRAN, Extremis, Formica Corporation, Keilhauer, Mizetto, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, Safco, and Shaw Contract earned Innovation Awards for products bringing bold new ideas to market through breakthrough technologies, novel features or reimagined approaches to familiar challenges.

Products from Andreu World, HÅG, Haworth, Isomi, KFI Studios, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, Nienkämper, Patcraft, and The Good Plastic Company were recognized with Sustainability Awards, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental responsibility through the use of recyclable or biodegradable components, eco-conscious manufacturing practices, and alignment with industry certifications and standards.

Returning for the fourth year, the Business Impact Awards recognized design solutions driving organizational performance through smarter workflows, cost savings, space optimization, and other strategic outcomes. Judged by a panel of business journalists from Bloomberg, Newsweek, Vogue Business, Forbes and Morning Brew, among other notable publications — alongside seasoned facility managers from Northwestern Mutual and Aflac — the awards were based on first-hand product evaluations conducted on-site at THE MART, the largest privately held commercial building in the U.S. Each product was thoroughly vetted on criteria including adaptability, sustainability alignment, technology integration, productivity, wellness and user experience, and contribution to the bottom line.

This year, 26 Business Impact Award finalists were selected, with 10 award recipients ultimately honored across categories ranging from furnishings and materials to architectural systems and integrated technologies. The Business Impact Winners for 2025 were:

• Clarus’ Lynk
• CMS Electracom’s Freedom FR210 Series
• Framery’s One Lounge
• Haworth’s Closed-Loop Manufactured Fern
• Keilhauer’s Unifi
• Kwalu’s Ellie Recliner + Sleeper Sofa Collection
• Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering’s Renaturation
• Safco/Onsemble’s Modix System
• Schiavello’s Focus Quiet Room Plus and
• Visplay’s Omnio Office

Competition-wide, the most awarded companies were Andreu World (9), Keilhauer (6), Davis Furniture (4), Patcraft (4), and Schiavello (5) — each earning accolades across multiple product categories.

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The universe is a source of wonder and inspiration – vast, intricate, and full of natural beauty. From swirling galaxies to the textures of distant planets, space is rich with patterns and forms that echo the designs found in the Hyphyn Collection. The biodegradable vinyls of Tellus, Gaia, Cosmos, Gadget*, and Universe*, reminds us that beauty can be both bold and responsible.

Characteristics

• 80% Hyphyn biodegradable vinyl face
• 20% Hyphyn BiodegradablePolyester backing
• Soil & stain resistant top coat
• Bleach cleanable
• 250,000 double rubs
• GREENGUARD gold certified
• Prop 65/REACH/RoHS complian
• No FR additives
• No Antibacterial/Antimicrobial
• Lead/heavy metal free
• BPA/TRIS/Formaldehyde free
• Does not contain conflict minerals
• HPD available
• Meets or exceeds ACT guidelines

According to Furniture World, Hyphyn was featured at the Sustainability Lab (#1120) during NeoCon 2025, as well as at key distributor showrooms throughout THE MART, including:

• Mayer Fabrics (#1173)
• Pallas Textiles (#1181)
• Arc-Com (#1194)
• CF Stinson (#10-150)
• Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering (#323)
• Wolf-Gordon (#3-100)

Learn more about the Hyphyn Collection, request samples, place orders and connect with your Textile Specialist at Mayer Fabrics.

*Gadget & Universe coming Summer 2025

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The LVT’s modern, abstract, linear design offers a subtle nod to grasscloth textiles, providing warmth and texture to healthcare spaces. ColorLink delivers the highest performance scratch resistance and resists UV light degradation, hand sanitizers, disinfectants and common stains thanks to its ExoGuard+ topical finish. The product’s light embossing simplifies maintenance in healthcare areas that require additional infection control.

The collection features an extensive color palette, including colors that can be used for wayfinding and zoning. The bright colorways are ideal for pediatrics environments, while the neutrals and soothing blues offer a soft foundation for healing in higher acuity spaces. Additionally, ColorLink pairs with many other Shaw Contract carpet tile and LVT products, providing connectivity throughout any space.

The 8×48 plank format allows for endless installation possibilities, accommodating various design preferences and spatial requirements. Additionally, ColorLink requires no finishing, waxing, buffing, or stripping, making it a low-maintenance option that reduces overall upkeep costs and effort.

At the end of its useful life, we’ll reclaim and recycle ColorLink through our Environmental Guarantee, re[TURN] program.

Explore ColorLink today and transform your healthcare spaces into healing havens.

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• Block Draw – a true testament to the art of the weave with intricate designs woven into a stair-stepping pattern
• Blueprint – inspired by architectural blueprints, parallel lines and curves are created using a stuffed pocket construction giving the fabric a dimensional, quilted feel
• Digital – a brilliant texture echoing a pixelated cloud motif
• Gambit – a collage of contrasting lines across a soft, velvet ground that you can feel with your eyes

Designed for versatility and performance, what truly sets The Collective apart is its creative spirit. With an emphasis on fresh, energizing colors and bold motifs, The Collective evokes a trend-setting dialog for designers.

Visit Stinson’s NeoCon showroom 10-150.

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May 11, 2025 — by Eileen McMorrow — NeoCon, the world’s premier fair for commercial design, is pleased to announce a powerhouse jury for the 2025 Best of NeoCon Awards. The competition includes these healthcare categories: Flooring; Furnishings: Guest & Lounge; Furnishings: Patient Room; and Textiles, and empanels a dedicated jury.

Now in its 35th year, the industry-leading competition features an on-site panel of top architects, designers, facility managers and business media who will conduct an in-depth review of the latest solutions shaping contract environments. The program brings together multidisciplinary professionals across workplace, healthcare, education, retail and hospitality sectors to evaluate 40 plus categories — from furnishings and architectural products to surface materials and more. 

With specialized knowledge and real-world hospital and medical office building specification experience and product performance, the 2025 roster includes these designers, who provide observations about Best of NeoCon:

Sonja Bochart, Director, Shepley Bulfinch, Phoenix, has over 25 years of expertise in national commercial design, specializing in healthcare environments. Recognized as a leader, Sonja has shaped transformative spaces for some of the nation’s most prestigious healthcare institutions. Her dedication to biophilic principles, which began early in her career, is rooted in her pursuit of a master’s degree in regenerative design and development. She is currently specifying for a 200-bed children’s hospital.

“I’m expecting to gain firsthand exposure to emerging trends, materials, and furniture solutions that push the boundaries of performance and design—particularly those applicable to healthcare environments,” says Sonja Bochart, (left). “Engaging with fellow jurors, manufacturers, and innovators will provide fresh perspectives and technical insights that can be brought back to ongoing projects, informing better decisions around durability, comfort, sustainability, and aesthetics. I’m also looking forward to understanding how different sectors approach similar challenges in interior design, broadening my design vocabulary and strategic thinking.”

Dee Dee Bonds, Vice President & Studio Practice Leader, Health Interiors, HKS, Orlando, is part of the team working on a new pediatric campus for a 4.5 million-sq-ft. facility that will be one of the largest greenfield pediatric hospitals in the nation and a musculoskeletal care institute. She has over 20 years of experience specializing in transformative healthcare environments that integrate design excellence with technical precision, leading multidisciplinary teams delivering innovative, patient-focused solutions using a Target Value Delivery (TVD) approach that ensures fiscal responsibility and positive outcomes. Her expertise as a clinical specialist spans healthcare design, infection control, and technical execution.

“As a professional actively engaged in specifying material finishes and furniture for large-scale healthcare projects — such as those currently underway with HKS — serving as a Best of NeoCon Juror is a unique opportunity to contribute my design insight while staying at the forefront of product innovation. Evaluating products through the lens of functionality, sustainability, and user-centered design directly aligns with my role in helping shape healing environments for institutions like Children’s Health and Emory Healthcare. This allows me to support the advancement of excellence in commercial interiors while reinforcing the standards I apply in my own work,” says Dee Dee Bonds, Studio Practice Leader, Interiors, HKS, Inc. (above).

“I’m expecting to gain firsthand exposure to emerging trends, materials, and furniture solutions that push the boundaries of performance and design — particularly those applicable to healthcare environments. Engaging with fellow jurors, manufacturers, and innovators will provide fresh perspectives and technical insights that can be brought back to ongoing projects, informing better decisions around durability, comfort, sustainability, and aesthetics. I’m also looking forward to understanding how different sectors approach similar challenges in interior design, broadening my design vocabulary and strategic thinking.”

Joel Kalmin, Partner/Design Guru, The Creative Design Partners, LLC; Houston, has a background as the Director of Facility Planning at Legacy Community Health where he lead design and construction for over 50 facilities. He is seeking products at NeoCon for a Texas-based community healthcare provider.

“With 30 years of design experience, Joel Kalmin (left) brings a seasoned and insightful perspective to the jury. “My deep understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and emerging trends allows me to critically evaluate products with a balanced lens, ensuring both ingenuity and practicality are celebrated. I am adept at identifying designs that push boundaries while remaining anchored in user-centric principles.

As a juror, I look forward to immersing myself in the vibrant pulse of today’s cutting-edge innovations. I aim to learn from diverse perspectives, gain insight into groundbreaking design philosophies, and engage with the bold visions shaping our industry’s future. This experience promises to be a collaborative journey where I can exchange ideas with esteemed peers, uncover fresh inspiration, and contribute to celebrating excellence in design.”

Meghan Lannom, Associate, Registered Interior Designer, Marmon Mok, San Antonio, currently specializes in healthcare, but has worked in corporate and education over the past 13 years. During NeoCon, she is specifying for University Health Community Hospitals, Retama and Palo Alto locations.

“I am honored to be a part of the juror’s experience, and want to serve because I think it will be a great learning experience while meeting professionals from around the country,” says Lannom (right). “Seeing the future products will spark creativity and I will learn how to apply them to my future projects.”

Suzanne Lefebvre, Interior Design Leader, CannonDesign, Buffalo, takes an empathetic, holistic approach to creating transformative spaces. She tailors designs to each community and organization, ensuring every decision enhances human experience and well-being. She leads her teams in translating client brands and visions into progressive, responsive environments. Prisma Health, a 180,000-sq.ft. $138 million inpatient behavioral health hospital, in Greenville, South Carolina, is her recent project. “Patients experiencing a mental health crisis deserve expert compassionate care in a healing, nurturing environment. The new hospital will significantly increase access to this vitally needed care, but will also keep families closer to home and their family-friend networks which can help in recovery. The design is taking a hospitality approach to patient care with more human-scaled design, softer look, and indoor/outdoor access.”

“I am excited to return to the NeoCon jury this year. I understand the importance of evaluating products that define the future of design, innovation, and sustainability,” says Lefebvre (left). “I am drawn to NeoCon because it brings together cutting-edge solutions that not only meet the needs of today’s market, but look towards being more inclusive for all end-users.”

Jurors will engage in an immersive evaluation of every Best of NeoCon entry — allowing for careful deliberation, meaningful dialogue with manufacturers, and product testing. This face-to-face exchange, paired with the jury’s thorough onsite assessment, upholds the Best of NeoCon program’s reputation as the most trusted industry benchmark for design excellence.

“Each year, we select a jury with a keen understanding of how products influence the built environment,” remarks Eileen McMorrow, Director of the Best of NeoCon Program. “Their expertise — from both the interior design perspective and the facility manager and end-user experience — is invaluable in recognizing solutions that push the industry forward.”

Awards are given for Gold, Silver, Innovation and Sustainability, and the singular Best of Competition honor. The Business Impact Awards will also return, recognizing products that drive organizational performance through smarter workflows, cost savings, space optimization and other strategic outcomes. Business Impact finalists will advance to a second round of on-site review by a panel of business journalists from Fast Company, Forbes, Newsweek, Vogue Business and Morning Brew, among other notable publications.

This year, NeoCon attendees will also be able to weigh in on innovations through the inaugural People’s Choice Awards. This peer-to-peer recognition allows industry professionals to vote for their favorite Best of NeoCon-winning products via QR codes displayed in award recipients’ booths and showrooms throughout THE MART, during the show. The winners will be revealed on Wednesday, June 11.

Submission rules, deadlines and entry fees

NeoCon exhibitors are encouraged to submit entries through the Best of NeoCon online portal. Eligible products must have entered the U.S. market since June 2024 and be on display at NeoCon 2025. Products previously entered in Best of NeoCon 2024 are ineligible. Entrants must be NeoCon 2025 exhibitors. The final submission deadline is May 20th at $1,100 per entry and the Business Impact Award opt-in fee is $250 per entry.

More details on the program and entry process can be found at Best of NeoCon.

The distinguished group will judge each entry in-person at THE MART in Chicago on June 6 and 7, before the show opens. Winners will be unveiled during a high-energy ceremony on Monday, June 9, at 7:30 a.m., kicking off the 56th edition of NeoCon.

NeoCon 2025 is open to trade, C-suite executives, and other industry-related professionals, and registration is free for all attendees. Register here. 

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Sponsored by Goodway — When HVAC coils become dirty, air quality suffers, and system efficiency declines — both of which can be particularly damaging in healthcare environments. The CoilPro Jr. from Goodway is the perfect solution for cleaning dirty coils and improving your system’s performance and indoor air quality (IAQ).

Designed for maximum portability, the CC-JR packs a punch with a powerful 125 PSI pump and a long-lasting, deep-cycle battery, ensuring reliable performance for every job. Its operator-controlled chemical injection makes applying the right amount of cleaner easy for effective results.

Ideal for hard-to-reach air handlers, mini-split systems, rooftop units, and refrigeration condenser coils, the CoilPro Jr.’s compact, ergonomic design allows you to transport it effortlessly from job to job and even up and down ladders.

The CoilPro Jr. helps maintain clean, healthy air in your facilities, ultimately improving IAQ, reducing allergens, and contributing to the comfort and health of your environment. Keep your systems running smoothly and your air clean with the CoilPro Jr.

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“With so many influential and global brands expanding and new companies joining, THE MART continues to be our industry’s center of design, the ultimate hub for companies looking to elevate their market position,” says Byron Morton, vice president and co-head of Leasing. “And NeoCon is more than just an event — it’s a continuous source of energy that flows throughout the year; a driving force of innovation and business growth.”

Showroom expansions are increasing across floors

Top-tier brands have deepened their investments in THE MART, expanding showroom footprints to better showcase growing portfolios and evolving innovations, including wallcoverings, textiles, and specialty surfaces company Wolf-Gordon (showroom 3-100); storied contemporary furniture manufacturer Davis Furniture (3-115); sustainable leather manufacturer Green Hides (1062); acoustics innovator Turf (1048), which will unveil the 20,000 square-foot Turf Design Experience Center; and B Corp and carbon neutral Spanish furniture leader Andreu World (300), which has doubled its size with a new 20,000 square-foot space.

“For over 50 years, NeoCon has provided us with a platform to share fresh ideas and build meaningful connections within the design community,” says Danny Davis, president of Davis Furniture. “Expanding into a newly renovated showroom allows us to create an inspiring space that empowers our clients to push the boundaries of design and creativity.”

Green Hides is equally enthusiastic about its enlarged presence. “THE MART has been pivotal in our growth, we’re beyond excited to expand and open a larger showroom. This new space on the 10th floor will better represent our brand and showcase our expanding capabilities,” says Keith Hill, vice president of Green Hides. 

“The opening of the Turf Design Experience Center represents a major milestone for our team and stays true to Turf’s Chicago roots as a local manufacturer,” comments Rob Perri, vice president, Brand Companies, Armstrong World Industries, parent company of Turf. “It is not only a testament to our dedication to innovation, quality, sustainability, and exceptional design but also an invitation to designers, specifiers, architects and more to experience the limitless abilities of Turf. The expanded showroom and new offices are more than just physical space — they’re an experience of the future of Turf.”

For global furniture manufacturer Andreu World, this expansion cements the brand’s 70-year commitment to a fully circular economy. “Driving a positive impact on both people and the planet, the new space strengthens our long-standing relationship with THE MART and our sustainable business growth,” says Jesús Llinares, Andreu World CEO. “It allows us to further our mission of bringing sustainable, forward-thinking design to a broader audience, aligning perfectly with THE MART’s legacy and commitment to innovation.”

New showrooms bring notable brands

Several companies will unveil new permanent spaces this year. Since 2024, THE MART has completed more than 175,000 square feet of leasing transactions, introducing an array of captivating brands and innovations to explore during NeoCon and year-round. Among the newcomers positioning themselves for long-term expansion within the North American market are: ergonomic seating manufacturer HÅG (1085); sustainable acoustics brand Baresque (Zintra + FUNC. + Botton + Gardiner) (394); West Elm Work (10-165); Spanish furniture manufacturer Viccarbe (10-152); architectural systems and ceilings solutions provider Arktura (10-154); and K-12 education furniture specialists Smith System (11-111).

For Baresque, the new move represents a pivotal moment. “Marking our 10th year at NeoCon, we’re thrilled to elevate our presence from a temporary booth to a permanent showroom — a testament to the Baresque Group’s enduring commitment to innovation and excellence in the commercial design industry,” states Angus Blaiklock, executive director of Baresque. “This space allows us to deepen our connection with architects, designers, and specifiers in a way that inspires.”

Arktura’s vice president of sales and marketing, Patricia Kisereu, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative nature of their new showroom. “This isn’t just a showroom; it’s a vortex of possibility. We’re redefining how the industry engages with materials by creating a space to explore capability — bringing something bold, rebellious, and unlike anything seen before.”

7th floor offers new exhibitors

New and returning companies comprise the 7th-floor Exhibit Hall which will feature dedicated, amenity-rich spaces for immersive activations and curated experiences and companies including: design-forward European brands like Ferroluce SRL, PLYCOLLECTION and Visplay GmbH; architectural products, flooring, and technology innovators such as Formica, Slalom, AHF Products, Behr Paint, Configura and Cyncly; global sourcing exhibitors like Kano Global, Modernsolid Industrial and Merryfair; and furniture and fabric specialists including Offices to Go, Ultrafabrics,  Mantra Inspired Furniture, Virco, Cane-line, Emu, Nardi and FEEK.

Facility managers and designers can register for NeoCon 2025

Show registration is free for all attendees. To register, head to NeoCon. Keynotes will be delivered live onsite during the show and will also be available for streaming on NeoCon.com. Programming registration for keynotes, featured presentations, CEU seminars, talks and workshops opens April 1, 2025.

For showroom, exhibitor, and general NeoCon news, images and real-time information, follow NeoCon on: Instagram (@NeoCon_Shows), LinkedIn (@NeoCon-Shows), and Facebook (@NeoConShows).

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Cleaning large chiller tube bundles shouldn’t be a struggle. Goodway’s innovative RAM-5 makes it up to 4X faster than traditional methods with its innovative Reverse Stop Assembly Speed-Feed gun. This advanced gun system combines speed-feed technology, firing the shaft quickly into the tube with a pull of the trigger stopping the shaft and brush automatically before reaching the end of the tube, and a reverse stop assembly that automatically detects when the brush retracts out of the tube, stopping it in the optimal position for seamless transitions between tubes. Plus, it allows you to dial in the perfect brush rotation speed and shaft feed rate for superior cleaning of both straight and enhanced tubes.

The quick-connect shaft and brush connections allow you to make fast, tool-free changes, while the integrated water flush maximizes cleaning efficiency. With years of proven performance, a sleek, modern design, industrial-strength construction, enhanced portability, and intuitive controls, the RAM-5 delivers unmatched speed and reliability — making it the top choice for contractors and facility managers handling large tube bundles. Designed for tubes ranging from 1/4″ to 1″ I.D., the RAM-5 sets a new standard in rotary tube cleaning.

Learn more today.

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While all contract brands thrive on selling their standard products as they are designed and built, Versteel has developed a reputation for being responsive to creating modified products as needed. Schwinghammer routinely is asked, “Can you make it like this? Can you give us one of these?” The brand is nimble and comfortable with such requests. For example, a client liked a line of tables then wanted matching chairs, so the Versteel team designed and manufactured chairs to meet the demand.

The well-known flexibility of Versteel tables — the ability for them to move up, down, tilt, wield hidden power supplies–makes them one of the innovative products that roll out of its factory. “We have been doing electrification for a long time,” says Schwinghammer. “Whether it’s plugged-in or battery-powered, we can provide it and hide it by design,” he explains.

“Our Niche is You,” Versteel’s slogan, is about the brand’s customer focus and ability to meet their needs. “There is strength in our quality that is connected to product longevity and durability,” says Schwinghammer.

How does ‘Our Niche is You’ connect to Versteel’s next product launch?

Schwinghammer: We will be introducing a family of products in 2025 that represents a forward-looking collection encompassing what we already offer with work, meeting and lounge tables that contribute to a multi-functional setting. The products will work together or apart. They will create shared or private work areas, storage, and space division.

One of our newest design groups decided this could work because we are all uncertain as to how we are going to work in the near future. Management may change to hybrid working or more private offices using more dividers. There’s a need for furniture that can be used in a private office or moved out to function in an open space or work area. We are adapting and positioning it differently.

Quality has been a Versteel hallmark over its 40 plus years producing contract furniture. How does Versteel convey its quality to the industry?

Schwinghammer: We did it a long time ago. Quality was instilled in our employees; it is their passion. They know when a result is not ideal, and they are constantly working to attain a better result.

We are very proud that all Versteel manufacturing is in the United States. We spin that message, and we boast that we have control under our roof. It speaks to the people, to our clients and is all-encompassing for the production floor.

Our sample maker is an outstanding example of one who is fully vested in quality. It’s demonstrated in the products. On the new Versteel website and social media, we highlight the people and how long they have been with the company.

This is the 41st year for the individual who runs manufacturing. We have documented his process; he’s been at it since 1984. Versteel has people who know how to run the machines and the ability to work with the manufacturers’ technicians to maximize the output.

Which specifier segment is most concerned — and vocal with the reps — about quality?

Schwinghammer: In universities, facility managers and designers make the most requests for quality. They want a product that will stand up. It is as good as they thought it would be. We support our customers by extending a lifetime warranty as we know the products are built to the highest standards.

How does Versteel look at manufacturing quality in BIFMA/BIFMA-compliant terms?

Schwinghammer: BIFMA is an “entry point” into the market with its standards committees. They remind manufacturers to retest and recertify products every eight years. When Versteel is producing a new chair, we source third-party certification and conduct our own testing. It’s in excess of BIFMA. All the chairs Versteel makes can meet bariatric requirements, making healthcare facilities a strong market for us.

For their style and durability, Versteel tables and seating are commonly specified in high-traffic and potentially high-abuse settings found in education and healthcare. What are clients commonly concerned with regarding durability?

Schwinghammer: From a durability standpoint, most of our products function intuitively. They work and continue to work without issue. For example, a folding table mechanism we patented blew past 25,000 cycles (ANSI BIFMA requires 10,000). Facility managers know it is durable and can be used for their projects. Those folding tables are still in use, designed to never wear out. Older folding tables tend to get replaced by the tilt/nest tables.

Higher education institutions are striving to create very comfortable and “adult” surroundings on campus settings. What’s the solution?

Schwinghammer: Gathering has been conveyed to us as being as important as studying. Administrators are creating a common space for all types of academic disciplines for working on projects and collaboration. Catwalk, our modular seating system with ledges, is a way of creating seated areas to also accommodate ‘piles of students’ with perfect hang-out or collaboration spots. Perch where you want to is Catwalk’s theme and when specified, Catwalk allows the students to organically use the furniture.

Students are learning and sharing in many ways, but testing is still a critical demand. In one city, there is a facility of 260 study carrels, exclusively used for testing. To create that we also had to modify a whole row to accommodate sensory deprivation issues.

Are users in educational institutions becoming kinder and gentler, or are the FMs making greater demands for durability?

Schwinghammer: Seating and furniture pieces that are both softer and field-replaceable, usually due to abuse, are in demand. We are frequently asked by the facility manager, and we assure them we can send a team to replace or repair pieces.

We know that wheels and casters are always needed in learning environments. However, with some casters, the manufacturing team has specific performance issues. They didn’t always hold up, and Versteel got tired of that issue. A few years ago, we worked with a caster company to design and engineer a unique caster. We are now able to use the highest-quality caster by creating and sourcing it directly.

What are the high points for Versteel’s specification in healthcare? 

Schwinghammer: We aim to meet Healthcare Without Harm’s Healthy Interiors Furnishing and Furnishings Criteria v. 2.3, and are also BIFMA Compliant. There are customers who only buy for cleanability, durability and the ability to replace. Our role in healthcare is ancillary, as we mostly provide guest seating. We often get specified through hospitals associated with universities already using Versteel. The brand transitions to medical consulting areas, cafeterias, and training rooms. We know that durability was an issue during Covid; we saw our tables and chairs made with chrome from over 20 years ago that withstood this intense period of use 24/7.

The Versteel site indicates that the brand pursues sustainable materials, stating its goal to exceed 70% material efficiency based on the circular economy principle that targets zero waste and pollution.

Schwinghammer: We find the circular economy is client-driven. The design side may tell you I am concerned about it, but we know the end-user feels differently and wants to be involved in sustainable product specifications. Many of our tables and chairs have as high as 99% material efficiency as a result of intentional design considerations and partnering with sustainable suppliers.

We have a key supplier of chair shells that uses the Restylon process that allows for the use of primary and reground plastics, resulting in a higher-quality product while also minimizing the scrap factor. Further, this leads to reducing our carbon footprint.

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