Big news on the Maharam front. American furniture brand Herman Miller has agreed to acquire New York-based textile manufacturer Maharam in a deal worth about £101 million.
The leadership of Maharam – a fourth-generation family firm founded in 1902 by Louis Maharam – will remain the same for the next two years, with current owners Michael and Stephen Maharam staying at the helm.
Maharam has a reputation for excellence.
A NOTE FROM MICHAEL AND STEPHEN MAHARAM
“Over these past 15 years at Maharam, we’ve sought to foster a culture measured by the caliber of the things we create, though more so by the nature of the people associated with this company and their desire to do things thoughtfully. The legacy of Maharam matters to us deeply, as does its ongoing energy and progression. With this in mind, come the end of April, Herman Miller will take ownership of Maharam.
Much as we have struggled with this decision, the realities of generational transition coupled with timing and circumstance in our lives have brought us clarity. It is our firm conviction that Herman Miller will provide Maharam the greatest opportunity to flourish over time. Our philosophical kinship makes this difficult step a far easier one. We believe that Herman Miller has the appropriate culture, intellect and resources to ensure Maharam a bright future while valuing our spirit and ways. They are respectful and enthusiastic about this patronage, and intend to grant us the autonomy necessary for the continued evolution of our unique approach.
Maharam will remain Maharam, capably managed by our present leadership. To assist in a measured transition, we will be staying on for the coming two years to provide a sense of “business as usual.” We don’t anticipate any significant adjustments in the way we do things, all our plans for the future remain fully intact, and we have confidence in a pleasant and positive status quo.
Thank you for your part in making Maharam the place we dreamed it could become, and which we feel certain it will continue to be.
As always, Michael & Stephen”
ALL ABOUT MAHARAM
Maharam is a fourth-generation family business founded in 1902 by Louis Maharam, a Russian immigrant.
Through the generations, Maharam evolved from a source of theatrical textiles for costume and set design in the 1940s to a pioneer of performance-driven textiles for commercial interiors in the ’60s.
Maharam is recognized for its rigorous and holistic commitment to design as a leading provider of textiles to architects and interior designers. Maharam embraces a range of disciplines, from product, graphic, and digital design to art and architecture.
A4 Studio, Maharam’s graphic design arm, oversees all forms of visual communication.
Maharam’s spaces are unified in both appearance and spirit.
The Maharam Design Studio governs the research, engineering, design, and development of textiles for commercial and residential interiors. Balancing an appreciation of tradition with innovative interdisciplinary exploration, the studio focusses on four main themes: utility, technology, tradition, and luxury.
Drawn from Maharam’s archives, Original Contract Textiles reflect the heritage of weaving.
Material innovation is fundamental to the company’s textile engineering initiatives.
Textiles of the 20th Century pays homage to modern design icons like Koloman Moser, Anni Albers, Alexander Girard, Charles and Ray Eames, and Gio Ponti by faithfully reissuing their work.
Long-term collaborations with Konstantin Grcic, Hella Jongerius, and Paul Smith, among others, foster an open dialogue across varied design disciplines.
Maharam Digital Projects is an assemblage of large-scale wall installations created by emerging and established artists and designers.
Maharam’s collaborative work with Nike, Vitra, and others extends the company’s creative reach beyond textiles.
Maharam textiles are included in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Stedelijk Museum, among others. Maharam is the recipient of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Design Patron Award (2007) for its longstanding support of design and cultural initiatives. Maharam Agenda was published in 2011.