ITALY – According to a recent survey carried out by CSIL on a sample of European manufacturers, the penetration of acoustic solutions in the office furniture business is expected to expand significantly during the next years.

According to the majority of the interviewees (77%) sales in the acoustic segment will increase more rapidly than the office furniture sector in general. In fact, besides a small group of companies, which pioneered in acoustics more than 20 years ago (ex. Abstracta with Softline in 1981), there is a relevant number of players which introduced acoustic solutions in the past five years (around 50% of the sample interviewed). Another 30% announced the presentation of new products in 2014 while a 20% expects to launch acoustic products in portfolio within 2015 for the first time.

As explained by leading office furniture manufacturer Steelcase, “Work environments need to be designed not just for appearance, but also for experience in all the senses, especially hearing. Consciousness of sound is a new tool to design with. Good acoustics can make environments more productive.”