A ceremony on 1 July marked the completion of the building phase of Herman Miller’s new manufacturing facility in Bower Hill, Melksham.

Known as Portal Mill, the 170,000 square foot (15,794 square meter) development will bring together the company’s regional research and development, manufacturing, and logistics operations into one state of the art building, which will also showcase the company’s unique approach to designing office work spaces.

Richard Scott, Vice President, International Operations, at Herman Miller said, “It’s been great to watch the building take shape over the last year. This ceremony marks a key stage in the construction process and we are looking forward to starting the final phase of moving in.

“The consolidation of our Bath and Chippenham sites into Portal Mill will increase efficiency and enable us expand our operational capability. Customers will be able to visit the new space as well as our International Headquarters at Methuen Park, Chippenham, to enhance the customer experience significantly.”

Herman Miller has a long history in Somerset and Wiltshire, having arrived in Bath in the 1960s. The WoodMill factory in Bath, and a manufacturing and logistics facility in Chippenham, were both designed by leading contemporary architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, who also designed the new building in Melksham. The company’s iconic office chairs and furniture are manufactured and assembled here, before being exported across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for economic development and skills, said, “Herman Miller is a key employer in the region and we are delighted they chose Melksham as the site for their new manufacturing facility. The whole of the local community will benefit, not only from the regeneration of the site but also from the additional work on the link road connecting the Bowerhill estate to the A350.”

In addition, Herman Miller has provided a new sports pavilion for AFC Melksham, who play on a field adjacent to the new development. This new facility has accessible facilities and extra changing rooms.

About Herman Miller
Herman Miller’s inspiring furniture designs, inventive technologies and strategic services help people do great things and organisations perform at their best. The global company’s award-winning products and services generated approximately $2.1 billion in revenue in fiscal 2015. Herman Miller designs can be found in offices and homes around the world, and in the permanent collections of museums. Innovative business practices and a commitment to social responsibility have also helped establish Herman Miller as a recognised global leader. Herman Miller is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol MLHR.