Business Desk :
Work has changed. Markets have become global. Employees are mobile. Business issues are more complex and require cross-functional teamwork. Yet workers and information are often separated by time zones, making collaboration a challenge.
The duo friends Mizanur Rahman, Managing Partner and Maksudur Rahman, Partner and Business Head of Steel Case in Bangladesh are from two different backgrounds. But their exposure to brands and international companies and import trading are vast.
The idea for furniture business came from senior architects in Bangladesh. I decided to start big with world reputed international furniture producer and exporter, said Maksudur, who was an advertising company executive for many years.
“We have put together our experience into corporate lifestyle comfort in daily working space, which has been a long demand among working class executives,” said Mizanur.
“We have redesigned and re-engineered this global best seller to excel in mobility in today’s workplace,” he said.
The duo negotiated very hard and was able to strike a long-term deal with the Steelcase. Finally, Steelcase regional heads in New Delhi and Hong Kong agreed after tough conciliation with target setting business and had to prove ability to sell the products in a competitive market, but yet uncharted market.
Mizan’s father was one of the pioneers in import trade in early 60s in Khatunganj, Chittagong. While a student of college, he was also student in learning business from his father. “In course of time, I decided to diversify my business and now promoting an international brand in an unexplored market,” he remarked.
Steelcase is 106 years old company in Michigan, United States. They produce exclusive products for office furniture. Later the company produced hospital and school furniture. Only recently they are into home furniture.
The American company was in office furniture solution. Later the company began to produce school and hospital furniture. Very recently Steelcase has begun producing home furniture.
In USA, Steelcase is number one market leader, in Europe the brand is second. Now they are rapidly expanding in Asia and South America, making a dent in furniture business in this region.
“Now we sell to customers, whether they want products for office, school, hospital or home,” said Maksudur.
Steelcase, with an annual turnover of $3.1 billion (FY18) leads the way in creating great experiences by offering a range of architecture, furniture and technology products and services designed to help people reach their full potential.
Earlier the concept of office was people must work according to their job description, did not bother for employee’s comfort of which impact on their work schedule, Steelcase explains in its company profile.
“Designed to be good or your body and good for your brain. It boasts of comfort, work, where focus is compromised,” Maqsud said.
Steelcase constantly invests in user research as part of our product design process. In a unique global medical study, we conducted over four years with 732 users. The study found: 1) The spine doesn’t move as a single unit; 2) Each individual’s spinal motion is unique; 3) The upper and lower back regions require different amounts and different kinds of support; 4) When you lean backwards your pelvis moves forward.
Work has changed. Markets have become global. Employees are mobile. Business issues are more complex and require cross-functional teamwork. Yet workers and information are often separated by time zones, making collaboration a challenge.
The duo friends Mizanur Rahman, Managing Partner and Maksudur Rahman, Partner and Business Head of Steel Case in Bangladesh are from two different backgrounds. But their exposure to brands and international companies and import trading are vast.
The idea for furniture business came from senior architects in Bangladesh. I decided to start big with world reputed international furniture producer and exporter, said Maksudur, who was an advertising company executive for many years.
“We have put together our experience into corporate lifestyle comfort in daily working space, which has been a long demand among working class executives,” said Mizanur.
“We have redesigned and re-engineered this global best seller to excel in mobility in today’s workplace,” he said.
The duo negotiated very hard and was able to strike a long-term deal with the Steelcase. Finally, Steelcase regional heads in New Delhi and Hong Kong agreed after tough conciliation with target setting business and had to prove ability to sell the products in a competitive market, but yet uncharted market.
Mizan’s father was one of the pioneers in import trade in early 60s in Khatunganj, Chittagong. While a student of college, he was also student in learning business from his father. “In course of time, I decided to diversify my business and now promoting an international brand in an unexplored market,” he remarked.
Steelcase is 106 years old company in Michigan, United States. They produce exclusive products for office furniture. Later the company produced hospital and school furniture. Only recently they are into home furniture.
The American company was in office furniture solution. Later the company began to produce school and hospital furniture. Very recently Steelcase has begun producing home furniture.
In USA, Steelcase is number one market leader, in Europe the brand is second. Now they are rapidly expanding in Asia and South America, making a dent in furniture business in this region.
“Now we sell to customers, whether they want products for office, school, hospital or home,” said Maksudur.
Steelcase, with an annual turnover of $3.1 billion (FY18) leads the way in creating great experiences by offering a range of architecture, furniture and technology products and services designed to help people reach their full potential.
Earlier the concept of office was people must work according to their job description, did not bother for employee’s comfort of which impact on their work schedule, Steelcase explains in its company profile.
“Designed to be good or your body and good for your brain. It boasts of comfort, work, where focus is compromised,” Maqsud said.
Steelcase constantly invests in user research as part of our product design process. In a unique global medical study, we conducted over four years with 732 users. The study found: 1) The spine doesn’t move as a single unit; 2) Each individual’s spinal motion is unique; 3) The upper and lower back regions require different amounts and different kinds of support; 4) When you lean backwards your pelvis moves forward.
