Edited by Scarlett walker-hebborn
What current or historical trend has inspired you personally in terms of office design?
Our principles at USM are built on modularity – providing solutions with the flexibility to adapt to all trends, which are continuously evolving. Technical developments, for example, have required modular solutions to accommodate the larger monitor, which then evolved to flat screens then laptops. Modularity creates motivating, adaptive and friendly environments, which is always inspiring.
Has office product design become more adventurous over the past 30 years. If so, in what way?
Office design is a mirror of the times we live in and defined by technical and social, requirements and developments. Covid represented a huge turning point and has accelerated the merging of home and office environments. This has meant that office design has become even more people-centric, with the focus on the employee and how the design of the office supports their needs. The USM product portfolio grows with a company, adapting to new spaces and uses, which inherently supports a more sustainable approach to interior design.
Mirko Mueller
Has manufacturing and product design moved with the times?
Of course, the optimisation of production processes is critical for a company’s profitability and competitiveness. However, in today’s times the environmental impact and carbon footprint is of paramount importance and requires constant development, investment and innovation. USM has committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 (operational emissions directly within the company’s control, such as heating and electricity) and Scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030. Scope 3 emissions are the result of activities from assets not owned or controlled by the reporting organisation, but that the organisation indirectly affects in its value chain. An organisation’s value chain consists of both its upstream and downstream activities, a driver that ultimately leads to better products.
Do you commission freelance designers or recruit in-house designers?
We occasionally work with external designers, but always work very closely with our own design team to ensure the high product and design quality of our products. Each new product we design nods to the historic legacy of the USM portfolio and highlights that there are no limitations to the systems modularity, creating new innovations whilst celebrating the company’s heritage and origin.
Which exhibitions do you visit for inspiration/research?
We are always inspired by the established design events such as Milan, LDF and Orgatec, as well as the multiple creative shows and events from other industries, including fashion, automobile and real estate etc.
What have been your main drivers for your company’s most recent collection?
Celebrating our 60th anniversary in 2025, USM is proud to continuously evolve the portfolio while retaining the original heritage characteristics of the products. The guiding fundamental principle is that each piece can be adapted, added to, or modified, reusing and combining parts produced today with pieces produced as far back as the 1960s. We are constantly working on new designs and developments within the collection, reiterating USM as a market leader in the furniture and architecture industry.
