GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Steelcase Inc. recently announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Smith System Manufacturing Company, a Texas-based manufacturer of high-quality furniture for the pre-K-12 education market designed to inspire better learning and improve outcomes for students.

The acquisition is expected to advance Steelcase’s growth strategy to offer a broad range of innovative solutions to customers in the education, healthcare, and office markets.

“As education markets continue to grow, the combination of Steelcase and Smith System will create incredible value for our customers,” said Allan Smith, vice president of Global Marketing at Steelcase. “Together, we can help schools create outstanding learning environments where students thrive, such as collaboration spaces, makerspaces and tech labs.”

For over 105 years, Steelcase Inc. has helped create experiences for the world’s leading organizations, across industries through their family of brands that include Steelcase®, Coalesse®, Designtex®, PolyVision®, Turnstone® and AMQ. Together, their brands offer a comprehensive portfolio of architecture, furniture and technology products and services designed to unlock human promise and support social, economic and environmental sustainability. Steelcase is a global, industry-leading and publicly traded company with fiscal 2018 revenue of $3.1 billion.

Smith noted that Steelcase sees the opportunity to double Smith System’s business within five years by expanding sales in North America through the Steelcase dealer network, as well as bringing Smith System’s products to corporate customers and global markets.

Founded in 1905, Smith System makes educational environments more healthy, comfortable and inspiring for students and educators. Smith System will operate as an independent subsidiary under its own brand, and will continue to support its strong network of existing dealers as well as extending its reach through authorized Steelcase dealers.

“We believe that joining forces with Steelcase offers us a path to accelerate long-term growth, while maintaining the agility that has made us successful,” said Molly Parnell, vice president of Sales at Smith System. “Steelcase and Smith System have complementary offerings and we look forward to growing our business together in pre-K-12, higher education, and corporate learning environments around the globe.”

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“We are very pleased to have earned this recognition on behalf of the owner and the project team,” said Greg Wilkinson, co-chairman of the Board of Hill & Wilkinson. “Being the only Texas project also makes us proud of our team’s accomplishments.”

This isn’t the only award that the university project has received. The student services building was recognized with the Accessibility Award, presented by the Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and Accessibility Professionals Association, and other sustainability and safety awards for the project.

The 74,000-square-foot building has a total of six sustainability awards and the feedback from those at the university is positive and also thankful for the recognition.

“…This recognition reflects UT Dallas’ commitment to sustainability and the talents of an outstanding project team, including Perkins + Will, the design architects,” said Wilkinson.

The construction of the student services building has students appreciating the design as well as taking some credit for the project itself.

“What is most gratifying to me is the fact that this building, which was constructed as an initiative of the university’s student body, has garnered such a significant amount of award,” said Rick Dempsey, associate vice president for facilities management.

The $27.5 million project was completed in just over a year and opened for students in 2011. The three-story building received its latest green building award Dec. 13.

The student services building is a place for students to participate in general enrollment activities, health services, counseling and career center, financial aid and links to other student groups, along with other amenities.

The building’s design was recognized and awarded because of its commitment to sustainability and energy saving design implementation.

The student center has a custom exterior terra cotta louver system that provides an energy efficient shading strategy, set in place to protect those inside the building from the harsh Texas heat, while reducing radiant heat gain and maximizing daylighting and views to the outdoor landscaping. The daylight harvesting efforts helped the building use 76 percent of all occupied spaces with natural lighting and 93 percent of all occupied spaces to have views to the outside.

The building utilized water conservation by installing dual flush and low flow toilets. They also used rainwater harvesting as a way to utilize non-potable water, resulting in 86 percent reduction in potable water.

Those working on the site kept the project area green as well by recycling construction debris. A total of 88 percent of construction debris was recycled — total debris of 1,170 tons and the team was able to divert 1,034 tons from landfills.

The building also features low-emitting paint, carpet and adhesives. The United States Green Building Council granted the project 52 out of 69 possible LEED points.

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