Steelcase is a worldwide leader in the office furniture industry. Established in 1912, the company designs and manufactures architecture, furniture and technology products. The company prides itself by studying how people work in order to fully understand the ever-changing needs of individuals, teams and organizations throughout the world. The company takes this knowledge, couples it with products and services and creates solutions. Originally founded as The Metal Office Furniture Company, Steelcase received its first patent in 1914 for a steel wastebasket. Its portfolio of solutions addresses an office s environment, consisting of interior architecture, furniture and technology. Changing its name to Steelcase in 1954, the company became privately held in 1998. Maintaining its headquarters in Grand Rapids, Mich., with a location in New York, Steelcase serves customers through a network of more than 800 independent dealers and nearly 14,000 employees worldwide.