June 15, 2015 | SUBSCRIBE | The Monday Morning Quarterback 61 60 The Monday Morning Quarterback | SUBSCRIBE | June 15, 2015 | REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MMQB W hen izzy+ was created more than a decade ago, the company was pushing the boundaries of the industry. It was a disruptive company that threatened to change the way office and educational fur- niture was designed and specified. But the industry has caught up with izzy+ over the years, threatening to make it just another mid-sized company trying to find its way in brutally competitive industry. Kevin Kuske is determined that not happen. The president and chief executive officer of the Spring Lake, Mich. company has had a year-and-a-half to assess the company and he is determined to make izzy+ the dis- ruptive force it once was by revamping its product line- up and returning to its core values of “speed to market” and “speed to respond” to customer needs. “If you think about what Chuck (Saylor) and his team started, it was for people to be focused,” Kuske said. “He was concerned about the wellness theme in the of- fice and the idea of variety and movement. There are two problems with why people don’t move in the office: Makers: izzy+ By ROB KIRKBRIDE The president and chief executive officer of the company has had a year- and-a-half to assess the company and he is determined to make izzy+ the disruptive force it once was by revamping its product lineup and returning to its core values. Products traditionally lock people into their positions and the space was not designed for people to move.” So izzy+ wants to be a leader, not just in how furniture is developed for the office, but how the office is designed as well. Instead of rows of desk, why not create nodes where people can move from one place to another? The company is launching two products at NeoCon that will help with both — rounding out the company’s offerings and creating a more active office. The first is Sylvi, a modular lounge collection that is a bit different than anything else on the market. The prod- uct is designed to create a fresh, personal space that feels and looks like you’re working at home that also provides an enclosed sense of privacy. The product fits well in a public hotel lobby, corporate cafe, educational setting — you name it. Designed by Joey Ruiter, Sylvi can be specified for a place where people can quickly touch down or be used to create a sense of solitude. Aesthetically, it is unique. By using screens and other accessories, Sylvi can be used for a variety of areas. Sylvi pairs perfectly with people work- ing outside traditional office spaces, and it looks equally at home in upscale lobbies, break-out spaces and those in-between places where you just need to recharge and take a break. Sylvi offers residential-like comfort while holding its own under the wear-and-tear pressures of the corporate world. “The sweet spot for Sylvi’s design is being something that you’d want to take home. It’s something covetable that wasn’t prescribed for a specific building or institu- tion, but still works in those spaces,” said Ruiter. His ongoing exploration of second and third spaces with izzy+ includes the award-winning Dewey 6-top ta- ble and learning collection, as well as architectural ele- ments like the Nemo bar and trellis – a hub for reflection, connection and collaboration. Sylvi has clean lines and a straight-forward design to inspire a range of modern looks with high fabric ef- ficiency. “Sylvi is truly a creative canvas. Designers will really appreciate the simple form language that allows