New York, NY, May 2008 – Material ConneXion, the leading global platform for material solutions and innovations, has opened its first Innovation Lab inside the newly designed corporate headquarters of Haworth Inc. in Holland, Michigan. The custom-built lab – a unique interactive exhibition of innovative materials and products tailored to Haworth’s specific design needs and business objectives – marks the introduction of a new Material ConneXion offering that expands upon the company’s consulting and materials library services.

“Material ConneXion’s Innovation Lab will be a dynamic source of inspiration and information, not only for our employees, but also for clients and visitors to our new corporate headquarters,” stated Franco Bianchi, Haworth’s President & CEO. “We are thrilled to bring such an unparalleled resource to our company.”

With a rotating selection of large-format material samples, sourced from Material ConneXion’s library of over 4,500 innovative materials, and a collection of products that highlight inventive combinations of design and materials, the Innovation Lab at Haworthwill be a place to discover, experience and create. Focusing on the topics of Sustainability, Illumination, Processes and Functional Surfaces, the assembled materials represent some of the most recent developments in materials innovation and offer a variety of opportunities for physical interaction and intellectual stimulation.

“Packaging our materials expertise and knowledge into a hands-on laboratory strengthens our capacity to connect clients with the most up-to-date information on materials and processes,” said George M. Beylerian, Founder and CEO of Material ConneXion.

“Forward-thinking companies like Haworth can utilize this unique material experience as a vehicle for communication, allowing Material ConneXion to customize a Lab that reinforces their corporate values, emphasizes their products and services, and demonstrates their commitment to innovation and technology,” continued Michele Caniato, President of Material ConneXion.

Haworth, a global leader in the design and manufacture of adaptable and sustainable workspaces, created its new corporate headquarters to be a space that fosters innovative thinking and demonstrates the company’s commitment to the environment. Each aspect of One Haworth Center - from the products showcased to the green construction practices it employs – conveys this message. Prominently featured in the building’s atrium, Material ConneXion’s Innovation Lab, designed by John Michael Ekeblad, contributes to its success as a living laboratory for ongoing research and an engaging experience for visitors.

About Material ConneXion:
Material ConneXion is the leading global resource for material innovations and solutions. Built on the belief that Every Idea Has a Material Solution™, the company advises Fortune 500 corporations, smaller forward-thinking companies and government agencies seeking a creative or competitive edge through strategic material selections. With offices in New York, Milan, Cologne and Bangkok, Material ConneXion’s international network of material specialists provide a global, cross-industry perspective on materials and their potential uses.  

About Haworth:
Haworth, Inc., a world leader in the design and manufacture of adaptable workspaces based in Holland, Michigan, operates in more than 120 countries and employs over 8,000 members worldwide. The company nurtures a corporate culture committed to superior customer service, environmental responsibility and engineering innovation.

Press Contact:
Sarah Natkins, Director of Marketing & Communications
212-842-1509 / snatkins@materialconnexion.com