Developed by Toronto-based software and services company KiSP, Inc.,the KITS Mobile app creates photo-realistic renderings in a client’s actual space in a matter of seconds. Simply take a picture of a space, drag desired National products into place, and the app will scale the furniture giving customers a first-hand look at what their new space could look like. The highly intuitive app enables users to select and configure the furniture in the space and also change colors, materials and finishes. User-friendly functionality offers users an easy experience in changing and grouping products allowing for rapid visual space planning and quotation. This new process reduces the time spent going back and forth on a project when sharing electronic ideation and configurations.

Wright State University is National’s fourth Gift of Inspiration for Education winner. The university plans to use the funds to boost sustainability efforts and programs on campus. They will leverage the money by issuing “challenges” for matching funds for the Office of Sustainability. The funds will be used for projects such as expanding the campus food gardens, recycling programs, community service tutoring programs in urban schools and more.

In addition, the company is supporting sustainability in education by an energy audit at an area high school as part of the Green Apple Day of Service program. Some of National’s resident sustainability experts have volunteered to team up with Jasper High School in Indiana to gather performance metrics on the building to conduct an ASHRAE Level 1 energy audit. National will then assist in analyzing the data as well as provide recommendations on reducing energy usage and creating efficiencies. The Green Apple Day of Service is a nationwide program sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council to engage communities and businesses in creating healthier, more sustainable schools.

The 4th Annual Gift of Inspiration for Healthcare Environments allows healthcare organizations to register to win $25,000 from the office furniture manufacturer. Healthcare organizations can enter now through February 28, 2013, simply by registering at www.NationalOfficeFurniture.com/Healthcare and be automatically entered to win.

*Kendra Niederkorn was hired as the new Textiles Product Development Assistant at HBF Textiles.

*Brad Trapp was promoted to East Central Division Sales Manager of National Office Furniture. He will be responsible for his respective sales division’s personnel development, distribution strategy and execution as well as the achievement of National’s profitable growth goals.

*The Robert Allen Design Group and Scalamandré have announced a strategic alliance for sales and distribution in two key North American Markets. Effective immediately, The Robert Allen / Beacon Hill collections will be displayed at the Scalamandré Showroom at 2868 Pershing Street, Hollywood, Florida and, inversely, Scalamandré’s collections will be featured in the Robert Allen / Beacon Hill Showroom at 1025 North Stemmons Freeway, Suite 747, in Dallas, Texas.

*Ronald Benson, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP has joined HGA Architects as senior associate in its Los Angeles office. A licensed senior project manager with more than 25 years of international and domestic experience, Benson will join the firm’s higher education and healthcare practice groups.

*Henning Figge has been appointed Vice President and General Manager Haworth Europe and will be responsible for all markets with the exception of Spain and Portugal. The Iberian Peninsula will stay under the responsibility of his predecessor, José Amaral, who had asked to refocus his responsibility to these markets for personal reasons.

*Karen Kramer, a twenty-year industry executive, joined Baker Manufacturing Co. as Senior Vice President of Market Development and Distribution.

*Ryan LaVangie was promoted to New England Region Manager for Kimball Office.

*Jeffrey Nicholas has been named Director of Project Development for the north region of Heery International.

*Nicole Rinklin joined the sales team of Benhar Office Interiors.

*Brad Trapp was promoted to East Central Division Sales Manager for National Office Furniture.

*VeenendaalCave announces the following promotions in their design studio:

• Jodi Borges to Senior Project Director
• Stacy Benner to Design Team Director

Over 2,000 dealers from across the nation completed the survey, where they were asked to rate their top-volume non-aligned suppliers in each of six product categories recognized by the BIFMA.

Participation in Soles4Souls, the ANEW repurpose program, employee enrichment and other programs are just some of the company’s efforts that are highlighted in the 2011 CSR Report and testify to National’s commitment to making a difference.

The 2011 CSR report measures National’s performance in the areas of environmental and social responsibility and was written within a framework based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. The 2011 CSR report includes 36 GRI elements.

• Demonstrating personality at National and in the community, some report highlights include:
• 1,064 Acts of Green Commitments by employees in 2011 in celebration of Earth Day
• Injury incident rate that is 82% lower than the industry average
• 100% of National’s manufactured products transitioned to BIFMA level® 2 or 3
• Completion of the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) Investor Report
• 91% of solid waste generated by National was recycled or reused in 2011
• 1,186 pairs of shoes donated to Soles4Souls
• ISO 14001 recertification achieved at each facility with no nonconformances
• Partnership with ANEW (Asset Network for Education Worldwide), a take back program

National is set to give away another $25,000 in September with its 4^th Annual Gift of Inspiration for Education environments. The latest Gift of Inspiration allows education organizations to register to win $25,000 from the furniture manufacturer. Education organizations can enter now through August 31, 2012, simply by registering at www.NationalOfficeFurniture.com/EducationGOI. There is no purchase necessary, no strings attached, nor a grant application to complete.

The Howard Phillips Center is a part of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and provides dignity and healing for children, families and individuals who face overwhelming challenges such as child abuse, sexual trauma, developmental disabilities and lack of access to medical care. The $25,000 donation will be used to support services provided by the Orange County Children’s Advocacy Center, which is a sanctuary for child abuse victims where professionals work through the cases from investigation to counseling to healing. The funding will help provide new medical equipment, transportation and other basic needs of low-income families to enhance overall services and more importantly, children’s lives.

This is National’s fourth Gift of Inspiration for Education and seventh overall, with three benefitting healthcare organizations since the program’s inception in 2009. The latest Gift of Inspiration for Education Environments allows education organizations to register to win $25,000 from the furniture manufacturer. Education organizations can enter now through August 31, 2012, simply by registering at www.NationalOfficeFurniture.com/Education. There is no purchase necessary, no strings attached, nor a grant application to complete. For official rules, go to: www.NationalOfficeFurniture.com/Education.

*Mike Akin was promoted to West Division Sales Manager at National Office Furniture. As the West Division Sales Manager, Akin will be responsible for his respective sales division’s personnel development, distribution strategy and execution as well as the achievement of National’s profitable growth goals.

*James Butterfield RA has joined Perkins Eastman’s New York office as Associate Principal. Butterfield joins the firm with a background in higher education, lab planning, hospitality, and master planning.Lowell M. Aplebaum was appointed as the new director of membership and councils for The International Facility Management Association.

*Joel Colwell, AIA was promoted to Principal at WHR Architects. Colwell joined the firm in 2004, having spent the previous ten years on the client side as a facilities/project manager for a hospital in Louisiana.

*Bill Heitz, President of Heery International has been tapped to be The Construction Management Association of America’s first Board of Directors Vice Chair for Professional Practice.

*Douglas Pilgrim joined Davies Office Furniture as it’s National Business Development Manager. His responsibilities include executing marketing and sales strategies within the corporate, commercial real estate and A&D markets.

*Matt Wieringa has joined Leland International as President.

*IA Interior Architects announces the 2012 firm appointments:

Principal:

• Janet Eadie - Corporate
• Julianne Hunter - Corporate

Senior Associate:

• Frank H. Limahelu - Los Angeles

Associate:

• Scott Jenkins - Denver
• Brandi Mayo - Lost Angeles
• Donna Muller - Los Angeles
• Kristen Streeter - Washington D.C.

*Franklin James, LLC has been hired to assist with Duravit’s expansion in the Rocky Mountain Region. In its new position, the agency will support Duravit sales in Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming through a variety of custom-tailored programs and a focus on local specifications.