'New' Herman Miller Basic Storage cabinets  

barry...
that's pretty cool that you got to talk to customer service. From talking with HM, there are lots of things they'd love to re-introduce, however, its just not feesable by HM. HM for the Home is 3% of Herman Millers overall profitability. It just doesn't get the funding it needs - so when they get a new product to launch it's a big deal for them. The whole division is only a handful of people (if you can believe that). One person is in charge of product development. I don't think the cabinets are a bad idea at all, i'm sure they have researched it. I always thought bringing back a nelson credenza could be a good idea since everyone has media/tv necessities these days. I know that they have wanted to bring back the CSS for a very long time, but from what I understand it would take so much changing to get it up to codes/regulations that it wouldn't be the same piece. I know they have some new products up their sleeve, I was told the Eames dowel base would never see the light of day here in the US due to not meeting contract use standards. I think many of the things you'll see in the future will be joint ventures with Vitra (still surprised V has not introduced the Swag leg chair in Europe since it's being produced in Poland along with the desk) - Anyway...lets hope your recommendation to HM comes a reality.

Thanks for your kind words
I have spoken to the gang at HM a few times over the years, and I'm aware that their 'for the home' division is a small part of their business. But it's a portion that gets a lot of publicity for HM and they haven't discontinued much since the reintroduction.
I'm glad that they are very careful and conservative about what to reintroduce. One phone i made was asking them if they are blocking Vitra from selling the Nelson tray table here in the US, since that was one of the reintroduced pieces that HM actually did discontinue their distribution of. Apparently it's Vitra who is dragging their feet on this one (available in Europe but not in the US).
I believe that the Swag Leg group they put out a couple of years ago was not particular successful; they had had trouble with the two-tone chairs and I don't believe sales were brisk,
However, if a person wants a beautifully designed mid-century chest of drawers or a bookshelf unit, there's not many choice to choose from. So, I thought that Herman Miller would be smart to fill in this gap by adding a select few pieces of Basic Storage pieces - usable with either the Platform Bench or freestanding with legs. I believe if HM decides to go ahead, they will offer only one or two wood finishes and only a few carcass sizes, which will be available either with shelves or with drawers.
I was told that over the years, people have called asking for all sorts of reissue pieces to be made available; many of which would be too expensive to reintroduce and would probably not sell well.
I suggested that the Basic Storage pieces, along with a rectangular coffee table (they have none available) of either by Nelson or Eames, would fill in the gaps in their current collection and would be most likely to be successful.
Here's hoping....

Wondering
Barry,
Just curious. Why would you want Herman Miller to reproduce any of the Nelson case goods? Do you think they would be able to create them with anything near the quality of the vintage pieces for a price that might be at all accessible? I'm sure you have seen the cabinets and dressers they sell at places like DWR and Room and Board. Have you been impressed with the quality? How about price? Expensive, no? That is because they are expensive to make. Wood is expensive and the kinds of craftsmen you need to make quality cabinetry are expensive. Take a look at Daniel Donnelly's site. He is copying both the basic cabinet group and the thin-edge group. They cost as much or more than vintage pieces in excellent condition. Again, I'm sure that is because they are very expensive to produce.
I really don't understand why you would encourage them to bring these pieces back into production. They are very nice, but not groundbreaking designs in the grand scheme of things. I think that Omni and CSS are more revolutionary and innovative designs than the basic cabinet group, or the thin-edge group. I think the steel-frame group is a clever low-cost solution and I'm surprised that someone has not tried to recreate that line. With the external steel frame you need less wood and the drawer boxes are much easier to fabricate at a reasonable cost than an entire cabinet. I could kinda' understand where Herman Miller might want to reproduce the steel-frame group or the CSS. The steel-frame might possibly be able to be sold at a reasonable price point and I'd think the fact that you can customize them by painting the drawer sides and fronts might appeal to people in this DIY etsy age. They are cute, useful and could always find a home in a kid's room, dorm, or apartment. The CSS seems like something they would want to consider as it has cross-over appeal in both residential and contract markets. It is also good for apartment dwellers as you can dismantle it and move it easy. You can get a basic set-up and then add to it as your needs dictate. But again, the cost of manufacturing would be great with all the tooling and special hardware you'd need to recreate it.
I wonder. If your motivation is so you can buy these pieces if they remake them, why wouldn't you just buy vintage? They turn up at auction and on eBay regularly. You can buy a nice vintage Nelson cabinet or dresser, have it professionally refinished and it will still cost considerably less than buying a new piece. Plus you are recycling and helping save trees from being harvested to make more new product.
Just my thoughts, for what it's worth.

CSS
Would be a great offering because of its multifunctionality and practicality. Vintage pieces/parts typically command high prices, so the new product would be fairly competitive (assuming it is fairly priced).

I love the CSS, but it would be too difficult
for Herman Miller to bring all the pieces back into production, and honestly, only a few of us understand how to put it together and keep it from falling over!
I'm confident that Herman Miller will be able to reproduce something as simple as the Basic Storage pieces. I have not been impressed with the chests of drawers of bookshelves available around.
When the other thread - the one about the Nelson bench - was being discussed, it occured to me that since HM is making the benches - in the same quality as the original, by the way - I thought it would be nice to have matching pieces to sit upon them.
As I can tell, the only difference between an original bench and the current ones is the light tone finish....I should know; I have 2 genuine 72" long benches I bought two years.
Finally, those Basic Storage pieces are classics and absolutely beautifully designed in a very low-keyed way.

all i can say is nice try...
all i can say is nice try Barry, I know a lot of the folks at Herman Miller and have been involved for a long time with them. Before they will ever consider doing anything from their vintage files, it hits research and development and it is gone over and over, your suggestions maybe well meaning, but this corporation does things on test markets and R&D
when it comes to reissues. Trust me on this one.

part 2 Vitra is a...
part 2 Vitra is a different story, they will go through the same motions with Research and Development but they are more gutsy then Herman Miller. More likely to do reissues.

Vitra
and more likely to charge an arm and a leg for them... which is sad since I only have two of each, and I'm rather fond of them all.

Question
Barry,
You did not answer my questions. You said that you are confident that Herman Miller would be able to reproduce the BCG. I don't doubt that that could if they chose to. Really, anyone who wants to could make those pieces (see Daniel Donnelly again). The question was do you really think they can make them with the same quality at a price which is accessible? The case goods do not knock down for economical shipping, so they would have to be made here in the US with US material costs, US labor costs and standards. These things are expensive and the price of the product would reflect that.
Also, you did not tell me what is wrong with buying vintage. You like the design. If you want one, why wouldn't you buy vintage? Do you really think there are hoards of people wandering the streets wondering just where they can get a simple, well designed dresser or bookcase? Personally, I love vintage and I have pieces from all three lines in our house (steel-frame in the kid's room, BCG in the guest room, and thin-edge in our master). The fact that it is vintage and that it is not available in every home design store in every city makes it a little more special to me. It ain't the rarest thing in the world, but if it was commonplace I'm afraid that I would loose some of my interest in it.
Lastly, you said, "I love the CSS, but it would be too difficult for Herman Miller to bring all the pieces back into production, and honestly, only a few of us understand how to put it together and keep it from falling over!" What the hell are you talking about? It's a shelving system, not rocket science.

Pegboard:
I stand behind my thoughts about CSS - hell, I have two separate assemblies in my house! Not a commercial option. People want ready made and easy assembly, as well as easy maintaince and movability. No, it's not rocket science.... Also, if Herman Miller brought back CSS, they would have to make the vertical posts, the hardware, and all of the individual solid walnut shelves, and other pieces....and they would be darned expensive. No, I honestly don't think that outside a handful of collectors, there would be much of a market for CSS.
Now, as to pricing, considering what Herman Miller sells the benches for, I trust that they will be able to make the Basic Storage pieces with the same quality as original, and at a moderate, although not cheap price.
But, expect the finishes to be lighter than they were in 1949, modern tastes have gone to a simple lighter tone (i.e. the benches).
You can bet that Herman Miller would look around and see that Knoll is not offering bookshelves or chests of drawers anymore. Nor is Artek. Nor is hardly anyone. (and we're not talkin' 'bout Ethan Allen....)
The market will probably be people who are looking for quality bookshelves and chests of drawers that are smartly designed.
Now...when it comes to originals, either the originals need refinishing (like my two pieces), or they are being sold across the country and standard freight is damn high.
In this case, I would seriously consider buying a new one with crisp edges and no damage.
There are lots of companies completing with seating and tables, but there's not a lot of quality casegoods out there, unless of course, you're going to ship at IKEA or Target.

.
Thanks to Pegboard for mentioning Daniel Donnelly, I'd never heard of the person or the site, lovely website, great photography. Nice to see detailed shots for once.
By the way the carcass of these cabinets looks to be edged ply and then veneered, is this right? I wonder if Rosewood is really that necessary, I think perhpas they are a little overpriced, not outrageoulsly so but a bit.

Reality?
Barry,
With all due respect, you need to get out more. We too have CSS in our home, as well as Omni. We have sold our fair share of these systems in the past as well. I may be a little more comfortable than some since I have handled these systems more than most people, but it is not that difficult to install either a tension-mount or wall-mount system. Have you tried to install some of the contemporary office systems or cubicles? Now THAT is a pain in the ass! If folks can install these types of office furniture they can surely set up some CSS. You do know that there are CSS-like systems out there currently, right? I don't think that they are struggling with sales because people are frightened to assemble them in their homes, do you?
Now, whether it is economically viable for Herman Miller to bring back CSS is another issue. As LRF said, they are a very large company and they are well equipped to determine if the cost associated with reintroducing an out-of-production item is worth the expense involved. From my perspective, they could keep it very simple and rather than offering all the options they once did, try selling only wall mounted uprights (eliminating the ceiling height variable) open shelving (they are not solid walnut BTW, take a look) and maybe one or two case goods like a file drawer (for office) and a two-door cabinet or dresser (for home use). Offer just the most fundamental pieces, and perhaps add components based on response or demand. All of this supposes that I know what Herman Miller needs or wants to do regarding their business. Which I don't.
Not to sound like a broken record, but what is wrong with vintage? You like CSS, buy vintage. I like thin-edge, I'll buy vintage. If it is in rough shape, pay less and have it fixed up (every vintage dealer I know considers condition when pricing). In my experience, there is very little that can not be restored to like-new condition if you like nice sharp edges and bright shiny finishes. Me, I like things that are a tad rough around the edges. Like I am. They have been around a while and had some interesting experiences. Hopefully, we'll last many years to come.
Heath,
You are welcome. I've been in Daniel Donnelly's shop and seen his stuff in person. It's all top quality, but like I said. You pay for that. For my money, I'll buy vintage and deal with a little wear and tear.

For some reason,.. no matter what I say
you disagree with me. CSS, as wonderful as it/was will never be reproduced by Herman Miller, trust me.
I never said there was anything wrong with vintage... As I stated previously, I have two Basic Storage chests of drawers, and while I like 'em and am keeping 'em, they both need work on 'em. 90% of my stuff is vintage, actually.
I doubt if I would ever buy a Basic Storage chest of drawers on eBay and have to pay $200.00+ to get them shipped. I might go after an open bookshelf, but as you might know, they don't turn up as often.
The thread about Herman Miller putting a few Basic Storage pieces back into production has nothing to do with vintage pieces.
If you honestly believe that CSS would be bought by smart college educated people who want nice furniture, then by all means, contact Herman Miller. Best of luck to you, too.

Oooh Barry
You're a feisty one!!!!