JAT Holdings forges partnership with Herman Miller

Representing some of the world’s best-known brands in wooden surface protection coatings, interior design solutions and furniture hardware systems, JAT Holdings announced a new partnership with popular American furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.

JAT Holdings General Manager Ravin Gunawardene (left), Managing Director Aelian Gunawardene (centre) and Head of Sales Gavin Vandot at the launch – Pic by Upul Abayasekara

The range of ergonomic office furniture, equipment and home furnishings will be available at the Interior Design Mall, 45, Alexandra Place, Colombo 7.

Herman Miller is known for providing furniture solutions across industries and is notable as one of the first companies to produce modern furniture. Today, in addition to their classic pieces and new designs for the home, Herman Miller is a recognised innovator in contemporary interior furnishings, solutions for healthcare environments, and related technologies and services.  Amongst the offerings that will be available via JAT Holdings is Herman Miller’s collection of modern furniture including the famous ‘Aeron’ chair, the fastest moving ergonomic chair and is even featured in the famous Museum of Modern Arts.

“JAT goes for anything to do with quality which is why we have chosen to represent Herman Miller is Sri Lanka. Their range of ergonomic furniture comes with certification and accreditation and are designer products that come complete with functionality, futuristic design and comfort,” stated JAT Holdings Managing Director Aelian Gunawardene.

“Herman Miller is not a new name in Sri Lanka – there have been people bringing down their products to the country over the years but through us, they will now be widely available to everyone.”

Herman Miller holds a unique position among furniture manufacturers for having cultivated the talents of a large number of modernist designers, producing a significant number of pieces that are now considered icons of industrial design.

The 12-warranty that Herman Miller offers covers everything including electrical components, casters, pneumatic cylinders, tilts, and all moving mechanisms. Their three-shift warranty recognises the changing nature of work and the need for products that can stand up to continuous use.

Commencing operations nearly a century ago, by the middle of the 20th century, the name Herman Miller had become synonymous with ‘modern’ furniture. Working with legendary designers George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames, the company produced pieces that would become classics of industrial design.

Since then, they have collaborated with some of the most outstanding designers in the world,

including Alexander Girard, Isamu Noguchi, Robert Propst, Bill Stumpf, Don Chadwick, Ayse Birsel, Studio 7.5, Yves Bdhar, Doug Ball, and many talented others. The company sells their products and services through a substantial, global dealer network of independent and company-owned businesses. Today, having grown into a dynamic organisation, JAT provides employment to over 200 people.

On its team are some of the country’s pioneers of the paint industry whose expertise and professionalism has enhanced the company’s leadership position in the surface coatings industry. For around 20 years, JAT has been active in providing the world’s finest wood care protection

‘Sayerlack’ to the Sri Lankan market and has expanded its markets to Bangladesh, Maldives and India over the past 10 years.

Believing in giving consumers the best there is – the brand names JAT represents and the products marketed are of high quality which combines elegance and quality with a fine finish.

The products marketed by JAT include Sayerlack wood care from Italy, Armstrong flooring and ceiling systems from the US, Hettich furniture hardware from Germany, Borma Wachs maintenance products from Italy and Herman Miller seating, office furniture systems and hospital solutions from the US. These brands are held as the most superior brands in their markets amongst architects and interior designers the world over. The current portfolio includes both local (JAT, J Chem, Brush

Master) and international brands (Sayerlack, Hettich, Cipy Coatings, Borma Wachs, Armstrong, Herman Miller and PYE.)

Initially JAT Holdings offered wood coatings to its customers, however now JAT markets a diversified range of interior and exterior decorative water-based and solvent based coatings, Epoxy floor coatings, DuPont Tynex paintbrushes, etc.

Pic by Upul Abayasekara