by Ann Withanee — July 22, 2011—Beginning September 1, 2011, Herman Miller will become the exclusive distributor in the U.S. and Canada for Mattiazzi, manufacturer of wood dining chairs and tables. The offering will include the complete line of Mattiazzi products, including those designed by Studio Nitzan Cohen, Sam Hecht of Industrial Facility, and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. By partnering with Mattiazzi, Herman Miller expands the choices it provides to designers and consumers in North America.
“Mattiazzi has a history with design, craft, industrial processes, and sustainable practices,” says Jack Schreur, Vice President of Herman Miller Classics and Retail. “That makes them a natural fit with Herman Miller. In the past, when you needed a wood supplier that could do the impossible, you called Mattiazzi. Today, they’ve taken their expertise in wood manufacturing to a new level, partnering with leading designers.”
As with Herman Miller, Mattiazzi believes in the power of close partnerships with leading designers. Sam Hecht’s design for the Branca is a recent example. Cristina Salvati of Mattiazzi explains, “We understood early on, this design was something special that could not be rushed through a formal process. We took our time in the development with Sam to refine every detail and dimension.”
Erwan Bouroullec, who with his brother Ronan designed Mattiazzi’s new Osso chair, says the company piqued their interest because of its stand on the environment. “We were particularly interested by the fact that all the equipment is powered by solar energy,” he says, “and that the wood is coming from the surrounding areas to be carefully selected without the use of any chemical treatments.”
