Leading office furniture manufacturer, Herman Miller, this month announced that it will be uniting its Wiltshire workforce into one location at PortalMill, its custom-built facility in Melksham.
“Since the successful move of our manufacturing and operations to PortalMill in November 2015, there has been a significant impact on the occupancy of our offices in Chippenham, with many of our agile workers choosing to work in Melksham,” said Andy Lock, president of Herman Miller International.
“The development of PortalMill will create a more effective working environment for all employees and foster a sense of community across all departments.”
Herman Miller has been a major employer in the South West since the US manufacturer expanded into Bath in the 1960s, with further sites in Bath and Chippenham opening over the next forty years.
The opening of PortalMill in Bowerhill in 2015 brought the wood processing, chair assembly, logistics, research and development, and operations teams under one roof.
Mr Lock continues, “PortalMill represents Herman Miller’s ongoing commitment to UK manufacturing and will ensure a long-term presence in the South West.
“I’m confident that by bringing our teams together we will create a more cohesive workplace and will enable us to truly embrace our Living Office concept. We will be working with Grimshaw Architects to ensure that we maximise the existing space while retaining the original design ethos.”
Detailed plans are still under development but Herman Miller is in early discussions with Wiltshire Council. An application for planning permission will be submitted in due course which will include changes to the internal layout, but does not anticipate any expansion of the existing building.
