Herman Miller, Inc. Form 10-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

[__] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For Fiscal Year Ended May 30, 2009 Commission File No. 001-15141

Herman Miller, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Michigan       
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)

        855 East Main Avenue        
PO Box 302
Zeeland, Michigan
(Address of principal
executive offices)
        38-0837640        
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)



        49464-0302        
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (616) 654 3000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.20 Par Value
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes [ X ]     No [__]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes [__]     No [ X ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [ X ]     No [__]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes [__]     No [__]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   [ X ]

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [ X ]     Accelerated filer [__]   Non-accelerated filer [__]     Small reporting company [__]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [__]     No [ X ]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by “nonaffiliates” of the registrant (for this purpose only, the affiliates of the registrant have been assumed to be the executive officers and directors of the registrant and their associates) as of November 29, 2008, was $773,740,978 (based on $14.71 per share which was the closing sale price as reported by NASDAQ).

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, as of July 22, 2009: Common stock, $.20 par value—55,884,937 shares outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on October 15, 2009, are incorporated into Part III of this report.



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.
Part I        
   Item 1 Business    4  
   Item 1A Risk Factors    8  
   Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments    12  
   Item 2 Properties    12  
   Item 3 Legal Proceedings    12  
   Item 4 Submission of Matter to a Vote of Security Holders    12  
   Additional Item: Executive Officers of the Registrant    13  
Part II  
   Item 5 Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters, and Issuer  
     Purchases of Equity Securities    14  
   Item 6 Selected Financial Data    16  
   Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    18  
   Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    38  
   Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    40  
   Item 9 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures    84  
   Item 9A Controls and Procedures    84  
   Item 9B Other Information    84  
Part III  
   Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance    85  
   Item 11 Executive Compensation    85  
   Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related  
     Stockholder Matters    85  
   Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence    86  
   Item 14 Principal Accountant Fees and Services    86  
Part IV  
   Item 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule    87  
Signatures    88  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statement Schedule    89  
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts    90  
Exhibits    91  

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PART I

Item 1 BUSINESS

General Development of Business

The company researches, designs, manufactures, and distributes interior furnishings, for use in various environments including office, healthcare, educational, and residential settings, and provides related services that support organizations and individuals all over the world. The company’s products are sold primarily to or through independent contract office furniture dealers. Through research, the company seeks to define and clarify customer needs and problems existing in its markets and to design, through innovation where appropriate and feasible, products, systems, and services as solutions to such problems. Ultimately, the company seeks to enhance the performance of human habitats worldwide, making its customers’ lives more productive, rewarding, delightful, and meaningful.

Herman Miller, Inc. was incorporated in Michigan in 1905. One of the company’s major plants and its corporate offices are located at 855 East Main Avenue, PO Box 302, Zeeland, Michigan, 49464-0302, and its telephone number is (616) 654-3000. Unless otherwise noted or indicated by the context, the term “company” includes Herman Miller, Inc., its predecessors, and majority-owned subsidiaries. Further information relating to principles of consolidation is provided in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.

Financial Information about Segments

Information relating to segments is provided in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.

Narrative Description of Business

The company’s principal business consists of the research, design, manufacture, and distribution of office furniture systems, products, and related services. Most of these systems and products are designed to be used together.

The company is a leader in design and development of furniture and furniture systems. This leadership is exemplified by the innovative concepts introduced by the company in its modular systems (including Action Office®, Ethospace®, Resolve®, My Studio EnvironmentsTM and Vivo InteriorsTM). The company also offers a broad array of seating (including Embody®, Aeron®, Mirra®, Celle™, Equa®, Ergon®, and Ambi® office chairs), storage (including Meridian® and TuTM filing products), wooden casegoods (including Geiger® products), and freestanding furniture products (including Teneo®, Passage® and Abak™). Going beyond these product offerings, the company’s ConviaTM business offers a programmable, modular electrical building infrastructure solution which enables building owners and individuals to adapt their habitat in new and profound ways. In fiscal 2009, the company introduced and began order entry for Embody® office chairs, and TeneoTM free standing storage, hosting, and display pieces.

The company’s products are marketed worldwide by its own sales staff, its owned dealer network, independent dealers and retailers, and via the Internet. Salespersons work with dealers, the design and architectural community, and directly with end-users. Independent dealerships concentrate on the sale of Herman Miller products and some complementary product lines of other manufacturers. It is estimated that approximately 74 percent of the company’s sales in the fiscal year ended May 30, 2009, were made to or through independent dealers. The remaining sales were made directly to end-users, including federal, state, and local governments, and several major corporations, by the company’s own sales staff, its owned dealer network, or independent retailers.

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The company is also a recognized leader within its industry for the use, development, and integration of customer-centered technologies that enhance the reliability, speed, and efficiency of our customers’ operations. This includes proprietary sales tools, interior design and product specification software; order entry and manufacturing scheduling and production systems; and direct connectivity to the company’s suppliers.

The company’s furniture systems, seating, freestanding furniture, storage and casegood products, and related services are used in (1) office/institution environments including offices and related conference, lobby, and lounge areas, and general public areas including transportation terminals; (2) health/science environments including hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities; (3) industrial and educational settings; and (4) residential and other environments.

Raw Materials
The company’s manufacturing materials are available from a significant number of sources within the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. To date, the company has not experienced any difficulties in obtaining its raw materials. The costs of certain direct materials used in the company’s manufacturing and assembly operations are sensitive to shifts in commodity market prices. In particular, the costs of steel components, plastics, and particleboard are sensitive to the market prices of commodities such as raw steel, aluminum, crude oil, lumber, and resins. Increases in the market prices for these commodities can have an adverse impact on the company’s profitability. Further information regarding the impact of direct material costs on the company’s financial results is provided in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in Item 7 of this report.

Patents, Trademarks, Licenses, Etc.
The company has 162 active United States utility patents on various components used in its products and 69 active United States design patents. Many of the inventions covered by the United States patents also have been patented in a number of foreign countries. Various trademarks, including the name and stylized “Herman Miller” and the “Herman Miller Circled Symbolic M” trademark are registered in the United States and many foreign countries. The company does not believe that any material part of its business depends on the continued availability of any one or all of its patents or trademarks, or that its business would be materially adversely affected by the loss of any thereof, except for Herman Miller®, Herman Miller Circled Symbolic M®, Geiger®, Action Office®, Ethospace®, Aeron®, Mirra®, Eames®, PostureFit®, and Vivo InteriorsTM. It is estimated that the average remaining life of such patents and trademarks is approximately 5 years and 7 years, respectively.

Working Capital Practices
Information concerning the company’s inventory levels relative to its sales volume can be found under the Executive Overview section in Item 7 of this report. Beyond this discussion, the company does not believe that it or the industry in general, has any special practices or special conditions affecting working capital items that are significant for understanding the company’s business.

Customer Base
It is estimated that no single dealer accounted for more than 4 percent of the company’s net sales in the fiscal year ended May 30, 2009. It is also estimated that the largest single end-user customer, the U.S. federal government, accounted for $167.2 million or approximately 10 percent of the company’s fiscal 2009 net sales. The 10 largest customers accounted for approximately 21 percent of net sales. The company does not believe that its business depends on any single or small number of customers, the loss of which would have a materially adverse effect upon the company.

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Backlog of Unfilled Orders
As of May 30, 2009, the company’s backlog of unfilled orders was $207.8 million. At May 31, 2008, the company’s backlog totaled $286.2 million. It is expected that substantially all the orders forming the backlog at May 30, 2009, will be filled during the next fiscal year. Many orders received by the company are reflected in the backlog for only a short period while other orders specify delayed shipments and are carried in the backlog for up to one year. Accordingly, the amount of the backlog at any particular time does not necessarily indicate the level of net sales for a particular succeeding period.

Government Contracts
Other than standard provisions contained in contracts with the United States Government, the company does not believe that any significant portion of its business is subject to material renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts or subcontracts at the election of various government entities. The company sells to the U.S. Government both through a GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract and through competitive bids. The GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract pricing is principally based upon the company’s commercial price list in effect when the contract is initiated, rather than being determined on a cost-plus-basis. The company is required to receive GSA approval to increase its list prices during the term of the Multiple Award Schedule Contract period.

Competition
All aspects of the company’s business are highly competitive. The company competes largely on design, product and service quality, speed of delivery, and product pricing. Though the company is one of the largest office furniture manufacturers in the world, it competes with many smaller companies in several markets and with several manufacturers that have greater resources and sales. In the United States, the company’s most significant competitors are Haworth, HNI Corporation, Kimball International, Knoll, and Steelcase.

Research, Design and Development
The company draws great competitive strength from its research, design and development programs. Accordingly, the company believes that its research and design activities are of significant importance. Through research, the company seeks to define and clarify customer needs and problems and to design, through innovation where feasible and appropriate, products and services as solutions to these customer needs and problems. The company uses both internal and independent research and design resources. Exclusive of royalty payments, the company spent approximately $36.2 million, $38.8 million, and $42.1 million, on research and development activities in fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Generally, royalties are paid to designers of the company’s products as the products are sold and are not included in research and development costs since they are variable based on product sales.

Environmental Matters
Living with integrity and respecting the environment stands as one of the company’s core values. This is based in part, on the belief that environmental sustainability and commercial success are not exclusive ends, but instead exist side by side in a mutually beneficial relationship. The company continues to rigorously reduce, recycle, and reuse solid waste generated by its manufacturing processes and the company’s efforts and accomplishments have been widely recognized. Additionally, the company is pursuing the use of green energy in its manufacturing processes. Based on current facts known to management, the company does not believe that existing environmental laws and regulations have had or will have any material effect upon the capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position of the company.

Human Resources
The company considers its employees to be another of its major competitive strengths. The company stresses individual employee participation and incentives, believing that this emphasis has helped attract and retain a competent and motivated workforce. The company’s human resources group provides employee recruitment, education and development, and compensation planning and counseling. There have been no work stoppages or labor disputes in the company’s history, and its relations with its employees are considered good. Approximately 7 percent of the company’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, most of whom are employees of its Integrated Metal Technology, Inc., and Herman Miller Limited (U.K.) subsidiaries.

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As of May 30, 2009, the company employed 5,077 full-time and 152 part-time employees, representing a 19.3 percent decrease and an 18.3 percent decrease, respectively, compared with May 31, 2008. In addition to its employee work force, the company uses temporary purchased labor to meet uneven demand in its manufacturing operations.

Information about International Operations

The company’s sales in international markets are made primarily to office/institutional customers. Foreign sales consist mostly of office furniture products such as Ethospace, Abak, Aeron, Mirra, and other seating and storage products. The company conducts business in the following major international markets: Europe, Canada, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Asia/Pacific region. In certain foreign markets, the company’s products are offered through licensing of foreign manufacturers on a royalty basis.

The company’s products currently sold in international markets are manufactured by wholly owned subsidiaries in the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. Sales are made through wholly owned subsidiaries or branches in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, China, India, and the Netherlands. The company’s products are offered in the Middle East, South America, and Asia through dealers.

In several other countries, the company licenses manufacturing and selling rights. Historically, these licensing arrangements have not required a significant investment of funds or personnel by the company, and in the aggregate, have not produced material net earnings for the company.

Additional information with respect to operations by geographic area appears in Note 20, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report. Fluctuating exchange rates and factors beyond the control of the company, such as tariff and foreign economic policies, may affect future results of international operations. Refer to Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, for further discussion regarding the company’s foreign exchange risk.

Available Information

The company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports are made available free of charge through the “Investors” section of the company’s internet website at www.hermanmiller.com, as soon as practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company’s filings with the SEC are also available for the public to read and copy in person at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549, by phone at 1-800-SEC-0330, or via their internet website at www.sec.gov.

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Item 1A RISK FACTORS

The following risk factors and other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face; others, either unforeseen or currently deemed less significant, may also have a negative impact on our company. If any of the following actually occurs, our business, operating results, cash flows, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Our pension expenses are affected by factors outside our control, including the performance of plan assets, interest rates, actuarial data and experience and changes in laws and regulations. Our future funding obligations for our U.S. defined benefit pension plans depend upon changes in the level of benefits provided for by the plans, the future performance of assets set aside in trusts for these plans, the level of interest rates used to determine funding levels, actuarial data and experience and any changes in government laws and regulations. In addition, our employee benefit plans hold a significant amount of equity securities. If the market values of these securities decline significantly, our future pension expenses and funding obligations could increase significantly. Decreases in interest rates that are not offset by contributions and asset returns could also increase our obligations under such plans. We may be legally required to make contributions to our U.S. pension plans in the future, and those contributions could be material. In addition, if local legal authorities increase the minimum funding requirements for our pension plan outside the United States, we could be required to contribute more funds, which would negatively affect our cash flow.

Sustained Downturn in the Economy Could Adversely Impact our Access to Capital
The recent global economic and financial market disruption has impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole. These conditions could persist for a prolonged period of time or worsen in the future. The timing and nature of any recovery in the financial and credit markets remains uncertain, and there can be no assurance that market conditions will improve in the near future. Our ability to access the capital markets may be restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access those markets, which could have an impact on our flexibility to react to changing economic and business conditions. The resulting lack of available credit, increased volatility in the financial markets and reduced business activity could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, our ability to take advantage of market opportunities and our ability to obtain and manage our liquidity. In addition, the cost of debt financing and the proceeds of equity financing may be materially and adversely impacted by these market conditions. The extent of any impact will depend on several factors, including our operating cash flows, the duration of tight credit conditions and volatile equity markets, our credit capacity, the cost of financing, and other general economic and business conditions. Our credit agreements contain performance covenants, such as a limit on the ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and limits on subsidiary debt and incurrence of liens. Although we believe none of these covenants are presently restrictive to our operations, our ability to meet the financial covenants can be affected by events beyond our control.

We may not be successful in implementing and managing our growth strategy.
We have established a set of key strategic goals for our business. Included among these are specific targets for growth in net sales and operating profit as a percentage of net sales. Our strategic plan assumes growth targets will be achieved by pursuing and winning new business in the following areas:
  Primary Markets – Capturing additional market share within our primary markets by offering superior solutions to customers who value space as a strategic tool.
Adjacent Markets – Further applying our core skills in space environments such as healthcare, higher education, and residential.
Developing Economies – Expanding our geographic reach in areas of the world with significant growth potential.
  New Markets –Developing new products and technologies that serve wholly new markets.

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While we have confidence that our strategic plan targets opportunities that are appropriate and achievable and that anticipates and manages the associated risks, there is the possibility that the strategy may not deliver the projected results due to inadequate execution, incorrect assumptions, sub-optimal resource allocation, or changing customer requirements.

There is no assurance that our current product and service offering will allow us to meet these goals. Accordingly, we believe we will be required to continually invest in the research, design, and development of new products and services. There is no assurance that such investments will have commercially successful results.

Certain growth opportunities may require us to invest in acquisitions, alliances, and the startup of new business ventures. These investments may not perform according to plan.

Future efforts to expand our business within developing economies, particularly within China and India, may expose us to the effects of political and economic instability. Such instability may cause us difficulty in competing for business. It may also put at risk the availability and/or value of our capital investments within these regions. These expansion efforts expose us to operating environments with complex, changing, and in some cases, inconsistently applied legal and regulatory requirements. Developing knowledge and understanding of these requirements poses a significant challenge, and failure to remain compliant with them could limit our ability to continue doing business in these locations.

Pursuing our growth plan in new and adjacent markets, as well as within developing economies, will require us to find effective new channels of distribution. There is no assurance that we can develop or otherwise identify these channels of distribution.

The markets in which we operate are highly competitive, and we may not be successful in winning new business.
We are one of several companies competing for new business within the furniture industry. Many of our competitors offer similar categories of products, including office seating, systems and freestanding office furniture, casegoods, storage, and residential and healthcare furniture solutions. We believe that our innovative product design, functionality, quality, depth of knowledge, and strong network of distribution partners differentiates us in the marketplace. However, increased market pricing pressure could make it difficult for us to win new business with certain customers and within certain market segments at acceptable profit margins.

Additionally, in recent years we have seen an increased market presence from international competitors. We expect this to continue, particularly in the area of low-priced imports into the United States. There is a risk that this competitive pricing pressure could make it difficult for us to raise prices in response to increasing raw-material prices and other inflationary pressures.

Adverse economic and industry conditions could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Customer demand within the contract office furniture industry is affected by various macro-economic factors; general corporate profitability, white-collar employment levels, new office construction rates, and existing office vacancy rates are among the most influential factors. History has shown that declines in these measures can have an adverse effect on overall office furniture demand. Additionally, factors and changes specific to our industry, such as developments in technology, governmental standards and regulations, and health and safety issues can influence demand. There is no assurance that current or future economic or industry conditions will not adversely affect our business, operating results, or financial condition.

Our business presence outside the United States exposes us to certain risks that could negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We have significant manufacturing and sales operations in the United Kingdom, which represents our largest marketplace outside the United States. We also have manufacturing operations in China. Additionally, our products are sold internationally through wholly-owned subsidiaries or branches in various countries including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Singapore, China, and India. In certain other regions of the world, our products are offered primarily through independent dealerships.

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Doing business internationally exposes us to certain risks, many of which are beyond our control and could potentially impact our ability to design, develop, manufacture, or sell products in certain countries. These factors could include, but would not necessarily be limited to:
Political, social, and economic conditions
Legal and regulatory requirements
Labor and employment practices
Cultural practices and norms
Natural disasters
Security and health concerns
Protection of intellectual property

In some countries, the currencies in which we import and export products can differ. Fluctuations in the rate of exchange between these currencies could negatively impact our business. Additionally, tariff and import regulations, international tax policies and rates, and changes in U.S. and international monetary policies may have an adverse impact on results of operations and financial condition.

Disruptions in the supply of raw and component materials could adversely affect our manufacturing and assembly operations.
We rely on outside suppliers to provide on-time shipments of the various raw materials and component parts used in our manufacturing and assembly processes. The timeliness of these deliveries is critical to our ability to meet customer demand. Any disruptions in this flow of delivery could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Increases in the market prices of manufacturing materials may negatively affect our profitability.
The costs of certain manufacturing materials used in our operations are sensitive to shifts in commodity market prices. In particular, the costs of steel, plastic and aluminum components and particleboard are sensitive to the market prices of commodities such as raw steel, aluminum, crude oil, lumber, and resins. Increases in the market prices of these commodities may have an adverse impact on our profitability if we are unable to offset them with strategic sourcing, continuous improvement initiatives or increased prices to our customers.

Disruptions within our dealer network could adversely affect our business.
Our ability to manage existing relationships within our network of independent dealers is crucial to our ongoing success. Although the loss of any single dealer would not have a material adverse effect on the overall business, our business within a given market could be negatively affected by disruptions in our dealer network caused by the termination of commercial working relationships, ownership transitions, or dealer financial difficulties.

If dealers go out of business or restructure, we may suffer losses because they may not be able to pay for products already delivered to them. Also, dealers may experience financial difficulties, creating the need for outside financial support, which may not be easily obtained. In the past, we have, on occasion, agreed to provide direct financial assistance through term loans, lines of credit, and/or loan guarantees to certain dealers. There is no assurance that these dealers will be able to repay amounts owed to us or to banks with which we have offered guarantees.

Increasing competition for highly skilled and talented workers could adversely affect our business.
The successful implementation of our business strategy depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain a skilled workforce. The increasing competition for highly skilled and talented employees could result in higher compensation costs, difficulties in maintaining a capable workforce, and leadership succession planning challenges.

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Costs related to product defects could adversely affect our profitability.
We incur various expenses related to product defects, including product warranty costs, product recall and retrofit costs, and product liability costs. These expenses relative to product sales vary and could increase. We maintain reserves for product defect-related costs based on estimates and our knowledge of circumstances that indicate the need for such reserves. We cannot, however, be certain that these reserves will be adequate to cover actual product defect-related claims in the future. Any significant increase in the rate of our product defect expenses could have a material adverse effect on operations.

Government and other regulations could adversely affect our business.
Government and other regulations apply to many of our products. Failure to comply with these regulations or failure to obtain approval of products from certifying agencies could adversely affect the sales of these products and have a material negative impact on operating results.

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Item 1B UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS - none

Item 2 PROPERTIES

The company owns or leases facilities located throughout the United States and several foreign countries. The location, square footage, and use of the most significant facilities at May 30, 2009 were as follows.

Owned Locations      Square
Footage
  Use    
   
Holland, Michigan    917,400   Manufacturing, Distribution, Warehouse, Design, Office  
Spring Lake, Michigan    818,300   Manufacturing, Warehouse, Office  
Zeeland, Michigan    750,800   Manufacturing, Warehouse, Office  
England, U.K.    83,500   Manufacturing, Office  
Leased Locations  
   
Zeeland, Michigan(1)    98,100   Office  
Atlanta, Georgia    176,700   Manufacturing, Warehouse, Office  
England, U.K.    93,500   Manufacturing, Warehouse  
Ningbo, China    94,700   Manufacturing, Warehouse, Office  

(1) The Zeeland, Michigan office facility was exited as part of the restructuring action in fiscal year 2009. The lease on this facility expires in December 2010.

The company also maintains showrooms or sales offices near many major metropolitan areas throughout North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, and Latin America. The company considers its existing facilities to be in excellent condition, efficiently utilized, well suited, and adequate for its design, production, distribution, and selling requirements.

Item 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The company is involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such proceedings and litigation currently pending will not materially affect the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTER TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the year ended May 30, 2009.




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ADDITIONAL ITEM: EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Certain information relating to Executive Officers of the company is as follows.

Name Age Year Elected an Executive Officer Position with the Company
Gregory J. Bylsma      44   2009     Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer    
James E. Christenson    62   1989   Senior Vice President, Legal Services, and Secretary  
Donald D. Goeman    52   2005   Executive Vice President, Research, Design & Development  
Kenneth L. Goodson, Jr.    57   2003   Executive Vice President, Operations  
Kathleen D. Koch    51   2009   Senior Vice President of Marketing  
Steven C. Gane    54   2009   Senior Vice President, President, Geiger International  
Andrew J. Lock    55   2003   Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer  
Elizabeth A. Nickels    47   2000   Executive Vice President,  
          President, Herman Miller for Healthcare  
John P. Portlock    63   2003   Executive Vice President and  
          President, International  
Curtis S. Pullen    49   2007   Executive Vice President, President, North American Office  
          and Learning Environments  
Michael A. Volkema    53   1995   Chairman  
Brian C. Walker    47   1996   President and Chief Executive Officer  

Except as discussed below, each of the named officers has served the company in an executive capacity for more than five years.

Mr. Bylsma joined Herman Miller, Inc. in 2000 as Director of Reporting & Planning for North American prior to being appointed Corporate Controller in 2005.

Mr. Goeman joined Herman Miller’s New Product Development arena in 1980, and during his 29 years with the company he has held a variety of new product design and development leadership positions.

Mrs. Koch joined Herman Miller, Inc. in 2007 as Senior Vice President of Marketing, and prior to this she served as Chief Marketing Officer for Kodak Health Imaging and Kodak Entertainment Imaging for 10 years.

Mr. Gane joined Herman Miller in 2007 as President of Geiger International. Prior to this he worked for Furniture Brands International for 16 years serving mostly as President of HBF.

Mr. Pullen joined Herman Miller in 1991 and served as Chief Financial Officer from 2007 to 2009, Senior Vice President of Dealer Distribution from 2003 to 2007, Senior Vice President of Finance for North America from 2000 to 2003, and Vice President of Finance, Herman Miller International from 1994 to 2000. There are no family relationships between or among the above-named executive officers. There are no arrangements or understandings between any of the above-named officers pursuant to which any of them was named an officer.

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PART II

Item 5 MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Share Price, Earnings, and Dividends Summary

Herman Miller, Inc., common stock is traded on the NASDAQ-Global Select Market System (Symbol: MLHR). As of July 22, 2009, there were approximately 20,700 record holders, including individual participants in security position listings, of the company’s common stock.

Per Share and Unaudited


 
Market
Price
High
(at close)
Market
Price
Low
(at close)
Market
Price
Close
Earnings
Per Share-
Diluted (1)
Dividends
Declared Per
Share
Year ended May 30, 2009                        
First quarter   $ 28.54   $ 23.70   $ 28.14   $ 0.60   $ 0.08800  
Second quarter    30.39    11.38    14.71    0.60    0.08800  
Third quarter    15.13    10.08    10.08    (0.10 )  0.08800  
Fourth quarter    15.02    8.05    14.23    0.14    0.02200  
Year   $ 30.39   $ 8.05   $ 14.23   $ 1.25   $ 0.28600  
   
Year ended May 31, 2008  
First quarter   $ 36.78   $ 26.32   $ 29.02   $ 0.54   $ 0.08800  
Second quarter    29.75    23.54    27.45    0.67    0.08800  
Third quarter    33.71    27.66    29.83    0.65    0.08800  
Fourth quarter    30.77    22.41    24.80    0.71    0.08800  
Year   $ 36.78   $ 22.41   $ 24.80   $ 2.56   $ 0.35200  

(1) The sum of the quarters may not equal the annual balance due to rounding associated with the calculation of earnings per share on an individual quarter basis

Dividends were declared and paid quarterly during fiscal 2009 and 2008 as approved by the Board of Directors. While it is anticipated that the company will continue to pay quarterly cash dividends, the amount and timing of such dividends is subject to the discretion of the Board depending on the company’s future results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, and other relevant factors.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during the fourth quarter ended May 30, 2009.

Period (a) Total
Number of
Shares (or
Units)
Purchased
(b) Average
price Paid
per Share or
Unit
(c) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
(d) Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares (or
Units) that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (1)

3/1/09-3/28/09
     1,977    11.58    1,977   $ 171,140,954  
3/29/09-4/25/09    1,630    26.82    1,630   $ 171,097,241  
4/26/09-5/30/09               $ 171,097,241  
Total    3,607    18.47    3,607  

(1) Amounts are as of the end of the period indicated

-14-


The company repurchases shares under a previously announced plan authorized by the Board of Directors on September 28, 2007, which provided share repurchase authorization of $300,000,000 with no specified expiration date.

No repurchase plans expired or were terminated during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, nor do any plans exist under which the company does not intend to make further purchases.

During the period covered by this report the company did not sell any of its equity shares that were not issued under the Securities Act of 1933.

Shareholder Return Performance Graph

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s common stock with that of the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the NASD Non-Financial Index for the five-year period ended May 30, 2009. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on May 29, 2004 in the company’s common stock, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the NASD Non-Financial Index, with dividends reinvested.

     2004    2005    2006    2007    2008    2009  
Herman Miller, Inc.   $ 100   $ 124   $ 128   $ 155   $ 107   $ 63  
S&P 500 Index   $ 100   $ 107   $ 115   $ 137   $ 125   $ 82  
NASD Non-Financial   $ 100   $ 104   $ 110   $ 133   $ 133   $ 73  

Information required by this item is also contained in Item 12 of this report.

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Item 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Review of Operations                        
(In millions, except key ratios and per share data)    2009  2008  2007  2006  2005
   
Operating Results  
Net sales   $ 1,630.0   $ 2,012.1   $ 1,918.9   $ 1,737.2   $ 1,515.6  
Gross margin    527.7    698.7    645.9    574.8    489.8  
Selling, general, and administrative(8)    359.2    400.9    395.8    371.7    327.7  
Design and research    45.7    51.2    52.0    45.4    40.2  
Operating earnings    122.8    246.6    198.1    157.7    121.9  
Earnings before income taxes    98.9    230.4    187.0    147.6    112.8  
Net earnings    68.0    152.3    129.1    99.2    68.0  
Cash flow from operating activities    91.7    213.6    137.7    150.4    109.3  
Depreciation and amortization    41.7    43.2    41.2    41.6    46.9  
Capital expenditures    25.3    40.5    41.3    50.8    34.9  
Common stock repurchased plus  
    cash dividends paid    19.5    287.9    185.6    175.4    152.0  
   
Key Ratios  
Sales growth (decline)    (19.0 )%  4.9 %  10.5 %  14.6 %  13.2 %
Gross margin (1)    32.4    34.7    33.7    33.1    32.3  
Selling, general, and administrative (1) (8)    22.0    19.9    20.6    21.4    21.6  
Design and research expense (1)    2.8    2.5    2.7    2.6    2.7  
Operating earnings (1)    7.5    12.3    10.3    9.1    8.0  
Net earnings growth (decline)    (55.4 )  18.0    30.1    45.9    60.8  
After-tax return on net sales (4)    4.2    7.6    6.7    5.7    4.5  
After-tax return on average assets (5)    8.8    21.0    19.4    14.4    9.6  
After-tax return on average equity (6)    433.1 %  170.5 %  87.9 %  64.2 %  37.3 %
   
Share and Per Share Data  
Earnings per share-diluted   $ 1.25   $ 2.56   $ 1.98   $ 1.45   $ 0.96  
Cash dividends declared per share    0.29    0.35    0.33    0.31    0.29  
Book value per share at year end    0.15    0.42    2.47    2.10    2.45  
Market price per share at year end    14.23    24.80    36.53    30.34    29.80  
Weighted average shares outstanding-  
    Diluted    54.5    59.6    65.1    68.5    70.8  
   
Financial Condition  
Total assets   $ 767.3   $ 783.2   $ 666.2   $ 668.0   $ 707.8  
Working capital (3)    242.7    182.7    103.2    93.8    162.3  
Current ratio (2)    1.6    1.6    1.4    1.3    1.5  
Interest-bearing debt and related  
    swap agreements    377.4    375.5    176.2    178.8    194.0  
Shareholders' equity    8.0    23.4    155.3    138.4    170.5  
Total capital (7)    385.4    398.9    331.5    317.2    364.5  

(1) Shown as a percent of net sales.
(2) Calculated using current assets divided by current liabilities.
(3) Calculated using current assets less non-interest bearing current liabilities.
(4) Calculated as net earnings divided by net sales.
(5) Calculated as net earnings divided by average assets.
(6) Calculated as net earnings divided by average equity.
(7) Calculated as interest-bearing debt plus shareholders’ equity.
(8) Selling, general, and administrative expenses include restructuring expenses in years that are applicable

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 2004    2003    2002    2001    2000    1999  
   
   
$ 1,338.3   $ 1,336.5   $ 1,468.7   $ 2,236.2   $ 2,010.2   $ 1,828.4  
 415.6    423.6    440.3    755.7    680.4    641.6  
 304.1    319.8    399.7    475.4    404.4    379.3  
 40.0    39.1    38.9    44.3    41.3    38.0  
 61.2    48.3    (79.9 )  236.0    234.7    224.3  
 51.6    35.8    (91.0 )  225.1    221.8    229.9  
 42.3    23.3    (56.0 )  140.6    139.7    141.8  
 82.7    144.7    54.6    211.8    202.1    205.6  
 59.3    69.4    112.9    92.6    77.1    62.1  
 26.7    29.0    52.4    105.0    135.7    103.4  
   
 72.6    72.7    30.3    105.3    101.6    179.7  
   
   
 0.1 %  (9.0 )%  (34.3 )%  11.2 %  9.9 %  3.1 %
 31.1    31.7    30.0    33.8    33.8    35.1  
 22.7    23.9    27.3    21.3    20.1    20.7  
 3.0    2.9    2.6    2.0    2.1    2.1  
 4.6    3.6    (5.4 )  10.6    11.7    12.3  
 81.5    141.6    (139.8 )  0.6    (1.5 )  10.5  
 3.2    1.7    (3.8 )  6.3    6.9    7.8  
 5.7    3.0    (6.3 )  14.5    16.5    18.5  
 21.9 %  10.3 %  (18.2 )%  43.5 %  55.5 %  64.4 %
   
   
$ 0.58   $ 0.31   $ (0.74 ) $ 1.81   $ 1.74   $ 1.67  
 0.18    0.15    0.15    0.15    0.15    0.15  
 2.71    2.62    3.45    4.63    3.76    2.63  
 24.08    19.34    23.46    26.90    29.75    20.19  
   
 73.1    74.5    75.9    77.6    80.5    84.8  
   
   
$ 714.7   $ 757.3   $ 788.0   $ 996.5   $ 941.2   $ 751.5  
 207.8    189.9    188.7    191.6    99.1    55.5  
 1.8    1.7    1.8    1.5    0.9    1.0  
   
 207.2    223.0    235.1    259.3    225.6    147.6  
 194.6    191.0    263.0    351.5    294.5    209.1  
 401.8    414.0    498.1    610.8    520.1    356.7  

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Item 7 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

You should read the issues discussed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis in conjunction with the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.

Executive Overview

We use problem-solving design and performance innovation to enhance the quality of human habitats worldwide, making our customers’ lives more productive, rewarding, delightful, and meaningful. We do this by providing high quality products and related knowledge services. At present, most of our customers come to us for work environments in both corporate office and healthcare settings. We also have a growing presence in educational and residential markets, including home office. Our primary products include furniture systems, seating, storage and material handling solutions, freestanding furniture, and casegoods. Our services extend from workplace to furniture asset management. We extended our industry leading position in seating as we introduced the NeoCon award winning Embody TM chair and SetuTM family of seating.

We are globally positioned in terms of manufacturing operations. In the United States, our manufacturing operations are located in Michigan, Georgia, and Washington. In Europe, we have a significant manufacturing presence in the United Kingdom, our largest marketplace outside of the United States. In Asia, we have manufacturing operations in Ningbo, China.

Our products are sold internationally through wholly-owned subsidiaries or branches in various countries including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Australia, Singapore, China, India, and the Netherlands. Our products are offered elsewhere in the world primarily through independent dealerships. We have customers in over 100 countries.

We manufacture our products using a system of lean manufacturing techniques collectively referred to as the Herman Miller Performance System (HMPS). We strive to maintain efficiencies and cost savings by minimizing the amount of inventory on hand. Accordingly, production is order-driven with direct materials and components purchased as needed to meet demand. The standard lead time for the majority of our products is 10 to 20 days. As a result, the rate of our inventory turns is high. These combined factors could cause our inventory levels to appear relatively low in relation to sales volume.

A key element of our manufacturing strategy is to limit fixed production costs by sourcing component parts from strategic suppliers. This strategy has allowed us to increase the variable nature of our cost structure while retaining proprietary control over those production processes that we believe provide us a competitive advantage. As a result of this strategy, our manufacturing operations are largely assembly-based.

Our business consists of various operating segments as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. These operating segments are determined on the basis of how we internally report and evaluate financial information used to make operating decisions and are organized by the various markets we serve. For external reporting purposes, we aggregate these operating segments as follows.
North American Furniture Solutions–Includes the business associated with the design, manufacture, and sale of furniture products primarily though a Certified Dealer Network for office, learning and healthcare environments throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Non-North American Furniture Solutions–Includes the business associated with the design, manufacture, and sale of furniture products primarily for work-related settings outside North America.
Other–Includes our North American residential furniture business as well as other business activities such as Convia, and unallocated corporate expenses.


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Core Strengths
We rely on the following core strengths in delivering workplace solutions to our customers.
Problem-Solving Design and Innovation–We are committed to developing research-based functionality and aesthetically innovative new products and have a history of doing so. We believe our skills and experience in matching problem-solving design with the workplace needs of our customers provide us with a competitive advantage in the marketplace. An important component of our business strategy is to actively pursue a program of new product research, design, and development. We accomplish this through the use of an internal research and design staff as well as third party design resources generally compensated on a royalty basis.

Operational Excellence–We were among the first in our industry to embrace the concepts of lean manufacturing. HMPS provides the foundation for all of our manufacturing operations. We are committed to continuously improving both product quality and production and operational efficiency. We have begun to extend this lean process work externally to our manufacturing supply chain and to our distribution channel. We believe this work holds great promise for further gains in reliability, quality and efficiency.
Building and Leading Networks–We value relationships in all areas of our business. We consider our networks of innovative designers, owned and independent dealers, and suppliers to be among our most important competitive factors and vital to the long-term success of our business.

Channels of Distribution
Our products and services are offered to most of our customers under standard trade credit terms between 30 and 45 days and are sold through the following distribution channels.
Independent Contract Furniture Dealers and Licensees–Most of our product sales are made to a network of independently owned and operated contract furniture dealerships doing business in many countries around the world. These dealers purchase our products and distribute them to end customers. We recognize revenue on product sales through this channel once our products are shipped and title passes to the dealer. Many of these dealers also offer furniture-related services, including product installation.

Owned Contract Furniture Dealers–At May 30, 2009, we owned 8 contract furniture dealerships, some of which have operations in multiple locations. The financial results of these owned dealers are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Product sales to these dealerships are eliminated as inter-company transactions from our consolidated financial results. We recognize revenue on these sales once products are shipped to the end customer and installation is substantially complete. We believe independent ownership of contract furniture dealers is generally, the best model for a financially strong distribution network. With this in mind, our strategy is to continue to pursue opportunities to transition our owned dealerships to independent owners. Where possible, our goal is to involve local managers in these ownership transitions.
Direct Customer Sales–We sometimes sell products and services directly to end customers without an intermediary (e.g. sales to the U.S. federal government). In most of these instances, we contract separately with a dealership or third-party installation company to provide sales-related services. We recognize revenue on these sales once products are shipped and installation is substantially complete.
Independent Retailers–Certain products are sold to end customers through independent retail operations. Revenue is recognized on these sales once products are shipped and title passes to the independent retailer.



-19-


Challenges Ahead
Like all businesses, we are faced with a host of challenges and risks. We believe our core strengths and values, which provide the foundation for our strategic direction, have us well prepared to respond to the inevitable challenges we will face in the future. While we are confident in our direction, we acknowledge the risks specific to our business and industry. Refer to Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of certain of these risk factors.

Future Avenues of Growth
We believe we are well positioned to successfully pursue our mission despite the risks and challenges we face. That is, we believe we can continue to improve the performance of human habitats worldwide. In pursuing our mission, we have identified the following as key avenues for our future growth.
Primary Markets– Capturing additional market share within our primary markets by offering superior solutions to customers who value space as a strategic tool.
Adjacent Markets– Further applying our core skills in space environments such as healthcare, higher education, and residential.
Developing Economies–Expanding our geographic reach in areas of the world with significant growth potential
New Markets-Developing new products and technologies that serve new markets

Industry Analysis
The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) is the trade association for the U.S. domestic office furniture industry. We monitor the trade statistics reported by BIFMA and consider them an indicator of industry-wide sales and order performance. BIFMA publishes statistical data for the contract segment and the office supply segment within the U.S. furniture market. The U.S. contract segment is primarily with large to mid-size corporations installed via a network of dealers. The office supply segment is primarily to smaller customers via wholesalers and retailers. We primarily participate, and are a leader in, the contract segment. It is important to note that our diversification strategy lessens our dependence on the U.S. office furniture market.

We also analyze BIFMA statistical information as a benchmark comparison against the performance of our domestic U.S. business and also to that of our competitors. The timing of large project-based business may affect comparisons to this data. Finally, BIFMA regularly provides its members with industry forecast information, which we use internally as one of many considerations in our short and long-range planning process.

Discussion of Business Conditions

Our fiscal years ended May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 each included 52 weeks of operations.

Fiscal 2009 was a year marked with unprecedented economic challenges and uncertainties. We are encouraged by our achievements in the face of these economic conditions. We were able to maintain solid operating income performance despite a rapid and steep decline in revenue, as we acted quickly to adjust our cost structure. While we took significant steps in reducing our cost structure, it did not prevent us from continuing to invest in our strategy of problem solving design and innovation. We introduced several new products designed to reach customers in nearly all areas of our business. These new products made a strong showing at NeoCon, the contract furniture industry’s largest tradeshow. Our newly introduced chair, SetuTM, won “Gold” for conference room seating, and “Silver” in the lounge seating category. Our Embody TM chair won “Silver” in task seating and we were named “Manufacturer of the Year” by the Office Furniture Dealers Association for the second year in a row.

-20-


In fiscal 2009, we significantly changed our capital structure to align with the economic conditions. We suspended our share repurchases and focused on cash conservation and strengthening our balance sheet. Our intent to conserve cash is both a defensive strategy as well as offensive. We reduced our dividend in the fourth quarter from $.088 per share to $.022 per share. This adjustment aligns our dividend payout with our historic dividend metrics. We also announced and implemented several initiatives to improve our operating profitability and cash flow. We put in place a restructuring action that eliminated approximately 1,400 full-time positions and temporary workers. We took further action to reduce our cost structure by $30 million by adjusting our work schedule, working 9 out of every 10 days, and suspending our 401(k) match. All these actions allowed us to end the year with a cash and investment balance of $204.2 million. Given the uncertain nature of the current economic environment we have taken a number of actions to increase our financial strength and flexibility. At the same time, we believe there will be opportunities to increase market share for companies that are able to take advantage of these conditions. For example, subsequent to year-end we announced the acquisition of Nemschoff Chairs, LLC, (Nemschoff) a provider of lobby room seating and furnishings, administrative office lounge seating, and a wide range of healthcare patient room furniture products. We believe this acquisition, coupled with our recent acquisition of Brandrud, will make us the number one provider of furniture in healthcare environments.

Additionally, after year-end we renegotiated our syndicated revolving line of credit, reducing our availability from $250 million to $150 million, while giving us additional covenant flexibility. We also completed the repurchase of $75 million of our outstanding public bonds. In addition to improving our covenant metrics this action also significantly reduces our interest expense moving forward.

In May we announced the closing of a manufacturing facility. This closing, which will take place over the next 9 to 12 months, will provide significant savings once completed. As a result of our HMPS process improvements, we do not believe this causes a reduction to our long-term manufacturing capacity.

While many of the decisions we made were difficult and had negative impacts on some of our employee-owners, they were made as a result of unprecedented economic conditions. Overall we are pleased with our performance for the year and the opportunities in front of us.

Looking forward, the general economic outlook for our industry in the U.S. is expected to be negative through calendar year 2009, and we remain appropriately cautious as a result. BIFMA issued its most recent report in May 2009 expecting that the growth rate of office furniture orders and shipments in the U.S. for calendar 2009 will be negative 29.3 percent and 28.6 percent, respectively. For calendar 2010, BIFMA expects positive 2.6 percent and 2.8 percent growth for orders and sales, respectively. This forecasted improvement is based upon an assumption of a slight improvement in the U.S. economy in the fourth quarter of calendar 2009 and the first quarter of 2010.

-21-


Financial Results

The following is a comparison of our annual results of operations and year-over-year percentage changes for the periods indicated.

(Dollars In millions)
 
Fiscal 2009 % Chg from
2008
Fiscal 2008 % Chg from
2007
Fiscal 2007
Net sales     $ 1,630.0    (19.0)%   $ 2,012.1    4.9%   $ 1,918.9  
Cost of sales    1,102.3    (16.1)%  1,313.4    3.2%  1,273.0  
Gross margin    527.7    (24.5)%    698.7    8.2%    645.9  
Operating expenses    404.9    (10.4)%    452.1    1.0%    447.8  
Operating earnings    122.8    (50.2)%    246.6    24.5%    198.1  
Net other expenses    23.9    47.5%     16.2    45.9%    11.1  
Earnings before income  
taxes    98.9    (57.1)%    230.4    23.2%    187.0  
Income tax expense    31.0    (60.4)%    78.2    35.1%    57.9  
Minority interest, net of tax    (0.1 )  --        (0.1 )  NA       --  
Net earnings   $ 68.0    (55.4)%   $ 152.3    18.0%   $ 129.1  

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the components of the company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of net sales.

Fiscal Year Ended
May 30, 2009 May 31, 2008 June 2, 2007
Net sales      100.0 %  100.0 %  100.0 %
Cost of sales    67.6    65.3    66.3  
Gross margin    32.4    34.7    33.7  
Selling, general, and administrative  
     expenses    20.3    19.7    20.6  
Restructuring    1.7    0.3      
Design and research expenses    2.8    2.5    2.7  
Total operating expenses    24.8    22.5    23.3  
Operating earnings    7.5    12.3    10.3  
Net other expenses    1.5    0.8    0.6  
Earnings before income taxes    6.1    11.5    9.7  
Income tax expense    1.9    3.9    3.0  
Net earnings    4.2    7.6    6.7  

Net Sales, Orders, and Backlog
Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009, consolidated net sales declined 19.0 percent to $1,630.0 million from $2,012.1 million in fiscal 2008. This year-over-year decline was driven by the global economic environment and was experienced across nearly all operating and geographic units. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar during fiscal 2009 against most major foreign currencies reduced our top line by approximately $30 million.

-22-


Consolidated net trade orders for fiscal 2009 totaled $1,565 million. This is comparable to net trade orders of $2,009 million last year, and represents a decrease of 22 percent. Starting with the financial market volatility in the early fall in part related to the instability in the banking industry we experienced a sudden and dramatic fall in order rates through most of the third quarter. Orders rates stabilized through the fourth quarter, albeit at much lower level than last year. The strong dollar reduced orders by approximately $38 million compared with the prior year.

Our backlog of unfilled orders at the end of fiscal 2009 totaled $208 million, a 27 percent decline from $286 million at the end of fiscal 2008.

BIFMA reported an estimated year-over-year decline in U.S. office furniture shipments of approximately 13.8 percent for the twelve-month period ended May 2009. By comparison, the net sales decline for our domestic U.S. business was approximately 14.6 percent. We believe that while comparisons to BIFMA are important, we continue to pursue a strategy of revenue diversification that makes us less reliant on the drivers that impact BIFMA.

Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007

Consolidated net sales of $2,012.1 million in fiscal year 2008 increased $93.2 million from fiscal 2007. This increase of 4.9 percent was driven by growth within both of our reportable business segments.

Consolidated net trade orders in fiscal 2008 totaled $2,009 million representing a year-over-year growth of 2.1 percent from orders of $1,967 million in fiscal 2007.

The backlog of unfilled orders at the end of fiscal 2008 totaled $286 million, decreasing 0.7 percent from the fiscal 2007 level of $288 million.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we announced a restructuring program designed to reduce operating expenses and improve profitability. These actions included the elimination of approximately 150 full-time positions within the North American Furniture Solutions segment. The positions that were eliminated represented a variety of functional areas, and the individuals affected were offered one-time termination benefits, including severance and outplacement services. Pre-tax restructuring expenses for fiscal 2008 of $5.1 million, are reflected separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The related cash payments were $4.5 million in fiscal 2008. The balance of the restructuring accrual at May 31, 2008 was $0.6 million, and is reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet within “Other accrued liabilities.”

Discussion of Business Segments — Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008

Net sales within our North American Furniture Solutions segment decreased from $1,636 million in fiscal 2008 to $1,349 million in the current year. This represents a year-over-year decrease of $287 million or 17.5 percent. We experienced a decline throughout our North American business operations, however, there were customer types within this segment that performed better than the overall average, primarily education, government and healthcare customers. Operating earnings for the segment in fiscal 2009 were $133 million, or 9.9 percent of net sales. This compares to segment earnings of $195.9 million or 12.0 percent in the prior year. With a top-line decline of 17.5 percent within the segment, we saw both dollar and percent-of-sales decreases to operating earnings in the North American Furniture Solutions segment. This segment’s ability to generate strong operating performance despite a significant decline in volume is largely due to the variable business model in place, which allowed costs to be shed as the top line declined as well as our execution of the restructuring plan discussed above.

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Net sales from our non-North American Furniture Solutions segment declined $85 million or 26% from the prior year. The decline was compounded by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against most foreign currencies. Nearly every region within the segment posted decreases in year-over-year net sales. There were pockets of resiliency including the Middle East, South America, and Australia. Total net sales for the segment were $238 million, versus $323 million in the prior year. The regions which were the hardest hit by the current economy were the U.K. which was down 35%, and Japan, down 47%. Operating earnings within our non-North American segment totaled $15 million for the year or 6.3 percent of net sales. This compares to $47 million or 14.6 percent of net sales in fiscal 2008, a decrease of 830 basis points. Despite the decline in operating income, our low fixed cost model generated positive income with rapid declines in the top-line.

Net sales within the “Other” segment category were $42 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $52 million in the prior year. The decrease is the result of net sales declining within our North American Home business, primarily due to the challenges associated with the U.S. macroeconomic environment. This overall decrease was somewhat offset by sales to a new retail customer.

The U.S. dollar strengthened against most major currencies throughout fiscal 2009. The changes in currency exchange rates from the prior year affected the U.S. dollar value of net sales within both primary operating segments. We estimate these changes effectively decreased our fiscal 2009 net sales within the North American Furniture Solutions segment by approximately $18 million, driven largely by the U.S. dollar / Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso average exchange rate during the current year. Currency exchange rate fluctuations within our non-North American Furniture Solutions segment decreased net sales in fiscal 2009 by approximately $12 million. This was primarily driven by movements in the U.S. dollar / British pound sterling. It is important to note that period-to-period changes in currency exchange rates have a directionally similar impact on our international cost structures. Operating earnings within our non-North American segment increased an estimated $1.5 million in fiscal 2009 due to the aforementioned changes in currency exchange rates relative to the prior year level. The estimated impact on operating earnings of our North American business segment was a decrease of approximately $1 million.

Discussion of Business Segments — Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007

Net sales within our North American Furniture Solutions segment increased from $1,563.6 million in fiscal 2007 to $1,636.3 million in fiscal 2008. This represents a year-over-year increase of $72.7 million or 4.7 percent. We experienced growth throughout our North American business operations, but particularly strong growth was experienced in the healthcare industry which posted double-digit year-over-year growth.  The healthcare industry remains a key growth area within the segment and lines up with our strategy to pursue diversification. Sales at our Mexican subsidiary again reached double-digit growth over fiscal 2007. Canadian sales turned around from a flat year in 2007 to impressive double-digit growth in fiscal 2008. Operating earnings for the segment in fiscal 2008 were $195.9 million, or 12.0 percent of net sales. This compares to segment earnings of $161.7 million or 10.3 percent in fiscal 2007. With top-line growth of 4.7 percent within the segment, we saw both dollar and percent-of-sales increases to operating earnings in the North American Furniture Solutions segment. This segment’s strong operating performance is largely due to improved margins on certain recently introduced products, our focus on cost management, and our execution of the restructuring plan discussed above.

Net sales from our non-North American Furniture Solutions segment grew at double-digit rates.  Every region within the segment posted increases in year-over-year net sales. Total net sales for the segment were $323.5 million, up $45.0 million or 16.2 percent. Sales generated from our non-North American Furniture Solutions segment increased to 16.1 percent of our consolidated net sales, an increase of 160 basis points from 14.5 percent in fiscal 2007. The largest sales contribution within this segment came from our operations in the United Kingdom, which posted a 17.5 percent year-over-year increase to the top line. We also saw a strong increase in net sales within continental Europe. Our results within the Asia Pacific region are particularly noteworthy, growing by 26.8 percent from fiscal 2007. We continued to pursue our diversification strategy and the effects are clearly visible in these results. Operating earnings within our non-North American segment totaled $47.3 million for the year or 14.6 percent of net sales. This compares to $28.9 million or 10.4 percent of net sales in fiscal 2007, an increase of 420 basis points.

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Net sales within the “Other” segment category were $52.3 million in fiscal 2008 compared to $76.8 million in fiscal 2007. The decrease is primarily the result of OEM Sales of $20.4 million recognized in fiscal 2007 that did not occur in fiscal 2008.  Net sales within our North American Home business were down 8.3 percent primarily due to the challenges associated with the U.S. macroeconomic environment.

The U.S. dollar continued to weaken against major currencies throughout fiscal 2008. The changes in currency exchange rates from fiscal 2007 affected the U.S. dollar value of net sales within both primary operating segments. We estimate these changes effectively increased our fiscal 2008 net sales within the North American Furniture Solutions segment by approximately $12 million, driven largely by the U.S. dollar / Canadian dollar average exchange rate during the current year. Currency exchange rate fluctuations within our non-North American Furniture Solutions segment, increased net sales in fiscal 2008 by approximately $15 million. This was primarily driven by favorable movements in the U.S. dollar / British pound sterling and U.S. dollar / euro exchange rates as compared to fiscal 2007. It is important to note that period-to-period changes in currency exchange rates have a directionally similar impact on our international cost structures. Operating earnings within our non-North American segment increased an estimated $6 million in fiscal 2008 due to the aforementioned changes in currency exchange rates relative to fiscal 2007. The estimated impact on operating earnings of our North American business segment was an increase of approximately $1 million.

Gross Margin
Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008

Our fiscal 2009 gross margin as a percentage of sales was 32.4 percent, a decline of 230 basis points from the prior year level. Higher direct material costs from vendors coupled with significantly lower volumes contributed to this decreased gross margin performance year-over-year. Details relative to each component of gross margin follow.

Direct material costs as a percentage of sales in the current year increased 220 basis points. The impact was front end loaded as raw material prices increased dramatically in the first half of the year, stabilized in the third quarter, and then declined substantially by the end of the year ending at approximately the same level they began the year.

Our direct labor costs were higher by only 10 basis points as a percentage of sales from prior year levels. First and foremost, this performance is an indication of the speed with which action was taken to reduce costs in the face of a significant decrease to net sales. This change in performance is also reflective of increased efficiency which was offset by the underlying increases in benefit costs, particularly medical benefits.

Overhead costs decreased by $52 million from fiscal 2008. Our ability to react quickly to the sales decline, coupled with the variable nature of our business model, allowed us to actually improve overhead by 10 basis points from the prior year. This decrease in costs was a result of the restructuring actions which took place during the year and related primarily to headcount.

Freight expenses, as a percentage of sales, were modestly lower compared to 2008 levels. Contributing to the reduction in freight expenses was a significant decrease in diesel fuel prices in the United States, as we moved through the year.

Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007

Our fiscal 2008 gross margin as a percentage of sales was 34.7 percent, an improvement of 100 basis points from the prior year level. Favorable direct material costs contributed to this increased gross margin performance year-over-year. Lower relative direct labor costs also boosted our margins while overhead expenses were slightly unfavorable. Details relative to each component of gross margin follow.

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Direct material costs as a percentage of sales in fiscal 2008 decreased 100 basis points. Although a higher sales volume favorably affected the percentage, the effect of our fixed contracts for the procurement of certain raw materials also contributed to the improvement. The majority of our fixed-price contracts expired during the fourth quarter of the year and we began to see the impact of increased costs for our raw material inputs late in the year.

Our direct labor costs were lower by 40 basis points as a percentage of sales from prior year levels. This reduction is primarily due to higher sales volume, and our continued manufacturing process improvements. Overhead costs increased in fiscal 2008 from prior year levels. We recognized certain costs associated with the completion of a large project, and had an overall shift into low margin service-related sales, which had the effect of increasing overhead costs by 30 basis points in fiscal 2008.

Freight expenses, as a percentage of sales, were modestly higher in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007 levels. Contributing to the additional freight expenses was a significant increase in diesel prices in the United States. We have continued to benefit from the efforts of our logistics teams to consolidate shipments, increase trailer utilization, and engage lower cost carriers, which together, served to mitigate the impact of increases in fuel costs. Pricing also served to partially offset the increases in fuel costs.

Restructuring
In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we announced a restructuring program designed to align our cost structure with the reality of the current economic conditions. These actions included the elimination of approximately 1,400 permanent and temporary positions across all segments. These reductions were permanent for our salaried workforce, while our direct labor positions were eliminated until business levels return. Those positions that were permanently eliminated represented a variety of functional areas, and the individuals affected were offered one-time termination benefits, including severance and outplacement services. Further actions were announced during the fourth quarter, which included a 10% reduction in the work schedule for most employees in the U.S., and the suspension of the 401(k) match. Within the non-North American Segment further reductions in force and a change to the work schedule were implemented to achieve similar savings.

Additionally, in the fourth quarter we announced the plans to shut down our IMT facility in Spring Lake, Michigan. The operations within the plant will be moved to other owned facilities, and a small component of this work will be outsourced to suppliers. We anticipate this shutdown will be completed over the next 9 to 12 months. Only the expenses related to the curtailment and special termination benefits of the pension plan have been recognized in fiscal 2009. The remaining costs are expected to be incurred over the course of the planned shutdown.

Pre-tax restructuring expenses for the aforementioned actions totaled $28.4 million in fiscal 2009, which are reflected separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The related cash payments were $16.8 million in fiscal 2009. The balance of the restructuring accrual at May 30, 2009 is $11.6 million, and is reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet within “Other accrued liabilities.”

Operating Expenses
Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008

Operating expenses in fiscal 2009 were $404.9 million, or 24.8 percent of net sales, which compares to $452.1 million, or 22.5 percent of net sales in the prior fiscal year. Although there was a year-over-year decrease of $47.2 million, we experienced a 230 basis point increase to operating expenses as a percentage of sales compared to fiscal 2008. A charge of $28.4 million for restructuring expenses as discussed above is included in fiscal 2009. There was a restructuring charge of $5.1 million in fiscal 2008.

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The year-over-year dollar decline in expenses, excluding restructuring expense, was $70.5 million or 16%. This is primarily due to a decrease in employee compensation and benefit costs as a result of the restructuring actions previously described, as well as a reduction in incentive compensation.

Year-over-year changes in currency exchange rates had a deflationary impact on operating expenses associated with our international operations, as measured in U.S. dollars. We estimate these changes decreased our consolidated operating expenses in fiscal 2009 by approximately $6 million relative to the prior year.

Design and research costs included in total operating expenses were $45.7 million and $51.2 million in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. These expenses include royalty payments to the designers of our products.  We consider such royalty payments, which totaled $9.5 million and $12.4 million in fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively, to be variable costs of the products being sold. Accordingly, we do not include them in research and development costs as discussed in Note 1.

Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007

Operating expenses in fiscal 2008 were $452.1 million, or 22.5 percent of net sales. This compares to $447.8 million or 23.3 percent of net sales in fiscal 2007. Although there was a year-over-year increase of $4.3 million, we experienced an 80 basis point reduction to operating expenses as a percentage of sales compared to fiscal 2007. A charge of $5.1 million for restructuring expenses was included in fiscal 2008. There were no restructuring expenses in fiscal 2007.

The dollar increase from fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2008 in expenses is primarily due to increases in employee compensation and benefit costs, designer royalties, global selling expenses, program marketing costs, and the foreign exchange impact on operating expenses, partially offset by lower levels of charitable contributions, and savings from certain R&D and product management programs. Leverage on higher sales levels in fiscal 2008 drove the percent-of-sales reduction in operating expenses.

Incremental employee compensation and benefit costs in fiscal 2008, which includes merit increases, stock-based compensation, and health benefits were an estimated $6 million higher than fiscal 2007. Global selling costs and designer royalty expenses, both of which vary with net sales levels, were $3.7 million and $2.4 million higher, respectively, in fiscal 2008 than in fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2008, we continued our pursuit of bringing new and innovative products to market, which drove incremental program marketing expenses of $2.8 million compared to fiscal 2007.

Year-over-year changes in currency exchange rates had an inflationary impact on operating expenses associated with our international operations, as measured in U.S. dollars. We estimate these changes increased our consolidated operating expenses in fiscal 2008 by approximately $4.8 million relative to fiscal 2007.

Partially offsetting these operating expense increases were charitable contributions that were $6.3 million lower than fiscal 2007 and a combined savings from certain R&D and product management programs of $6.6 million.

Design and research costs included in total operating expenses were $51.2 million and $52.0 million in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, respectively. These expenses include royalty payments to the designers of our products.  We consider such royalty payments, which totaled $12.4 million and $9.9 million in fiscal years 2008 and 2007, respectively, to be variable costs of the products being sold. Accordingly, we do not include them in research and development costs as discussed in Note 1.

Operating Earnings
Fiscal 2009 operating earnings were $122.8 million, which represents a decrease of 50.2 percent from our fiscal 2008 level of $246.6 million. As a percentage of net sales, operating earnings in fiscal 2009 decreased to 7.5 percent of net sales, a 480 basis-point decrease from the 12.3 percent reported in the prior year. The increase in restructuring expense led to 90 basis points of the decline while the remainder is largely a result of the decline in volume. In fiscal year 2007, we reported operating earnings of $198.1 million or 10.3 percent of net sales.

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Other Expenses and Income
Net other expenses totaled $23.9 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $16.2 million in the prior year and $11.1 million in fiscal 2007. The increase in expense in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008 was principally driven by additional interest expense of $6.8 million in the current year associated with the additional senior subordinated notes. Net foreign currency transaction losses recorded in fiscal 2009 totaled $1.1 million versus a $0.1 million gain in fiscal 2008.

The year-over-year increase in net other expenses of $5.1 million between fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 was also as a result of higher interest expense related to the aforementioned debt issued in December of 2007.

Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate was 31.4 percent in fiscal 2009 versus 33.9 percent in fiscal 2008 and 31.0% in fiscal 2007. The effective rate in fiscal 2009 was below the statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to the domestic U.S. manufacturing tax incentive and the realization of foreign tax credits. The effective rate in fiscal 2008 was below the statutory rate primarily due to the domestic U.S. manufacturing tax incentive. The effective rate in fiscal 2007 was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to $4.3 million in tax credits for foreign taxes, other credits for research and development activities, and tax incentives for export sales and domestic manufacturing.

We expect our effective tax rate for fiscal 2010 to be between 27 and 29 percent. For further information regarding income taxes, refer to Note 15.

Net Earnings
In fiscal 2009 we generated $68.0 million of net earnings. This compares to net earnings in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 of $152.3 million and $129.1 million, respectively. Fiscal 2009 diluted earnings per share were $1.25. Earnings per diluted share in fiscal 2008 were $2.56 and $1.98 in fiscal 2007.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
The table below presents certain key cash flow and capital highlights for the fiscal years indicated.

(In millions)
 
Fiscal Year Ended
2009 2008 2007
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period     $ 192.9   $ 155.4   $ 76.4  
Short term investments, end of period   $ 11.3   $ 15.7   $ 15.9  
Cash generated from operating activities   $ 91.7   $ 213.6   $ 137.7  
Cash used for investing activities   $ (29.5 ) $ (51.0 ) $ (37.4 )
Cash used for financing activities   $ (16.5 ) $ (86.5 ) $ (131.5 )
Pension and post-retirement benefit plan contributions   $ (5.3 ) $ (5.2 ) $ (7.6 )
Capital expenditures   $ (25.3 ) $ (40.5 ) $ (41.3 )
Stock repurchased and retired   $ (0.3 ) $ (266.7 ) $ (164.9 )
Interest-bearing debt, end of period (1) (3)   $ 377.4   $ 375.5   $ 176.2  
Available unsecured credit facility, end of period (2)   $ 236.9   $ 236.9   $ 136.9  

(1) Amounts shown include the fair market value of the company’s interest rate swap arrangement(s). The net fair value of this/these arrangement(s) was/were $2.4 million at May 30, 2009, $0.5 million at May 31, 2008, and $(1.8) million at June 2, 2007.
(2) Amounts shown are net of outstanding letters of credit, which are applied against the company’s unsecured credit facility, and excludes the $100 million accordion feature disclosed in Note 9.
(3) During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the company issued new senior unsecured private placement notes and replaced its unsecured revolving credit facility. Refer to Notes 9 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

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Cash Flow –Operating Activities

Cash generated from operating activities in fiscal 2009 totaled $91.7 million compared to $213.6 million generated in the prior year. This represents a decrease of $121.9 million compared to fiscal 2008. Changes in working capital balances resulted in a $34.4 million use of cash in the current fiscal year compared to an $11.8 million source of cash in the prior year.

The use of cash related to working capital balances in fiscal 2009 is primarily driven from decreased current liabilities of $102.3 million over the prior year. The reduction in liabilities is primarily related to reductions in accounts payable related to inventory, and accruals related to regular and incentive compensation. The use of cash is partially offset by volume related declines in accounts receivables of $60.1 million and inventories of $17.8 million. Accounts receivable declined 28.8% from the prior year, though it should be noted, this decline is not as substantial as the quarterly decline in sales. However, this lag is not reflective of deterioration of the accounts receivable aging, but rather the timing of the sales within the fourth quarter and the customer type. Certain direct customers and geographic customers tend to have a longer pay cycle. A relatively large percentage of the North American accounts receivable increase pertains to our Mexican subsidiary which has the longest cash collection cycle in the North American segment.

The source of cash related to working capital balances in fiscal 2008 is primarily driven from increased current liabilities of $33.1 million over the prior year, and to a lesser extent, lower inventory of $2.6 million from prior year levels. The increase in current liabilities is comprised of $16.6 million in tax-related accruals, $6.1 million of increased trade accounts payable and $10.4 million of other accruals. These sources of cash are offset partially by increases in volume-related accounts receivable of $21.3 million due to increased sales inside and outside North America.

The working capital investment in fiscal 2007 was related to increases in inventory and accounts receivable, primarily due to the significant level of growth in our non-North American Furniture Solutions segment. A contributing factor to the working capital investment during fiscal 2007 relates to our business with the U.S. federal government. Order activity with the federal government increased significantly during fiscal 2007, particularly during the first and second quarters. These sales generally require a longer cash collection cycle than do sales to independent contract furniture dealers. Accordingly, we experienced a related increase in accounts receivable. Inventory levels were also affected by this growth in federal government business, since we are generally required to hold product in inventory longer than with non-government business. This extended inventory holding period is necessary to be consistent with our revenue recognition policy for direct customer sales.

Collections of accounts receivable remained strong throughout the year, and we believe our recorded accounts receivable valuation allowances at the end of fiscal 2009 are adequate to cover the risk of potential bad debts. Allowances for non-collectible accounts receivable, as a percent of gross accounts receivable, totaled 4.7 percent, 2.6 percent, and 2.5 percent at the end of fiscal years 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Included in operating cash flows are cash contributions made to our employee pension and post-retirement benefit plans which totaled $5.3 million, $5.2 million, and $7.6 million in fiscal years 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. For further information regarding the company’s pension and post-retirement benefit plans, including information relative to the funded status of these plans, refer to Note 12.

Cash Flow –Investing Activities

Capital expenditures totaled $25.3 million, $40.5 million and $41.3 million in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Outstanding commitments for future capital purchases at the end of fiscal 2009 were approximately $6.2 million. We expect capital spending in fiscal 2010 to be between $25 million and $32 million.

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Included in our fiscal 2009 investing activities, is a net cash outflow of $26.6 million related to the completion of our acquisition of Brandrud, and $2.9 million related to our acquisition of certain elements of Ruskin Industries. In fiscal 2008, our investing activities included a net cash outflow of $11.7 million related to the acquisition of Brandrud. In fiscal 2007, our investing activities reflected a cash outflow of $3.5 million related to the acquisition of a technology company. This acquisition added enhanced functionality to the existing product portfolio for our Convia subsidiary. Refer to Note 2 for further information related to these acquisitions.

Our net marketable securities transactions for fiscal 2009 yielded a $3.4 million source of cash. This compares to a $0.3 million source of cash in fiscal 2008.

In fiscal 2009, we were advanced $19.3 million of cash against the value of company owned life insurance policies. This is reflected as cash proceeds from investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Cash Flow –Financing Activities

Fiscal Year Ended
(In millions, except share and per share data) 2009 2008 2007
Shares acquired      2,138,701  7,488,430  5,116,375
Cost of shares acquired (1)   $ 0.3   $ 266.7   $ 164.9  
Average cost per share acquired (1)    NA    NA   $ 32.23  
Shares issued    257,765    276,002    2,001,348
Average price per share issued   $ 14.7   $ 23.73   $ 25.19  
Cash dividends paid   $ 19.2   $ 21.2   $ 20.7  

(1) On January 3, 2008, the company entered into two agreements to purchase shares of its common stock from Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., for an aggregate purchase price of $200 million, plus fees, under an Accelerated Share Repurchase (“ASR”) program. The company entered into these agreements as part of a repurchase program approved by its Board of Directors. The number of shares purchased under the ASR program was based on the volume-weighted-average price of the company’s common stock during the term of the agreements. On January 4, 2008 the company paid $200.6 million in exchange for an initial delivery of 4.4 million shares, representing 70% of the shares that could have been purchased, based on the closing price of its common stock on January 3, 2008. An additional 1.0 million shares were delivered during the remainder of fiscal 2008. An additional 2.1 million shares were delivered on September 9, 2008, which completed the ASR program. The total number of shares repurchased under the ASR was 7,538,718 at an average price of $26.61 per share.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 we announced a reduction in the cash dividend effective for first quarter of fiscal 2010 payment. This change will reduce the cash dividend to $0.022 per share versus a total quarterly cash dividend of $0.088 per share that was paid through the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

In fiscal 2008 we completed a debt financing transaction involving the issuance of $200 million in senior unsecured private placement notes. Notes totaling $50 million are due in January 2015, and bear interest at a fixed annual coupon rate of 5.94 percent. The remaining $150 million of these notes are due in January 2018 and bear interest at a fixed annual coupon rate of 6.42 percent. We used the $200 million proceeds from the notes for an ASR of our common stock. Refer to Note 10 for more information related to our long-term debt.

In fiscal 2008, we also completed a refinancing of our existing unsecured credit facility, increasing our borrowing capacity from $150 million to $250 million. The new credit facility includes a $100 million increase option, subject to customary conditions. The facility may be used to refinance existing debt, provide working capital or for other general corporate purposes. In fiscal 2008, we also paid off $2.1 million of debt on behalf of Brandrud, our most recent acquisition.

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As part of our decision to conserve cash we suspended share repurchases during fiscal 2009. In fiscal 2008 we repurchased shares totaling $267 million. The amount remaining under our share repurchase authorization at the end of fiscal 2009 totaled $171.1 million.

Interest-bearing debt at the end of fiscal 2009 of $377.4 million increased $1.9 million from the end of fiscal 2008, as compared to a $199.3 million increase during the prior fiscal year. The increase in fiscal 2009 is a result in the change in the fair value of our interest rate swap instrument, while the increase in fiscal 2008 related primarily to the issuance of $200 million of private placement notes.

The only usage against our unsecured revolving credit facility at the end of fiscal years 2009 and 2008 represented outstanding standby letters of credit totaling $13.1 million at each date. The provisions of our private placement notes and unsecured credit facility require that we adhere to certain covenant restrictions and maintain certain performance ratios. We were in compliance with all such restrictions and performance ratios during fiscal 2009.

In fiscal 2009, we received $3.4 million related to the issuance of shares in connection with stock-based benefit plans. This compares to receiving $6.5 million and $50.4 million in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, respectively.

During fiscal 2009 and 2008 we repatriated $8.0 million and $23.9 million of undistributed foreign earnings, respectively.

We believe cash on hand, cash generated from operations, and our borrowing capacity will provide adequate liquidity to fund near term and future business operations and capital needs, subject to financing availability in the marketplace.

Contingencies

The company leases a facility in the U.K. under an agreement that expires in June 2011. Under the terms of the lease, the company is required to perform the maintenance and repairs necessary to address the general dilapidation of the facility over the lease term. The ultimate cost of this provision to the company is dependent on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the future use of the facility by the lessor and whether the company chooses and is permitted to renew the lease term. The company has estimated the cost of these maintenance and repairs to be between $0 and $3 million, depending on the outcome of future plans and negotiations. Based on existing circumstances, it is estimated that these costs will most likely approximate $1.0 million. As a result, this amount has been recorded as a liability reflected under the caption “Other Liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008.

The company has a lease obligation in the U.K. until May 2014 for a facility that it previously exited. Current market rates for comparable office space are lower than the rental payments owed under the lease agreement, as such, the company would remain liable to pay the difference. As of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 the future cost of this arrangement was estimated to be $1.6 million and $2.0 million respectively. Accordingly this amount is reflected within “Other Liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of these dates.

The company is involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. It is the company’s opinion that the outcome of such proceedings and litigation currently pending will not materially affect its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Basis of Presentation

The company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to May 31. The fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007 each included 52 weeks of operations. This is the basis upon which weekly-average data is presented.

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Contractual Obligations

Contractual obligations associated with our ongoing business and financing activities will result in cash payments in future periods. The following table summarizes the amounts and estimated timing of these future cash payments. Further information regarding debt obligations can be found in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Likewise, further information related to operating leases can be found in Note 11.

(In millions) Payments due by fiscal year
Total 2010 2011-2012 2013-2014 Thereafter

Long-term debt (1) (7)
    $ 375.0   $ 75.0   $ 100.0   $   $ 200.0  
Estimated interest on debt  
   obligations (2)    110.1    18.9    29.5    25.2    36.5  
Operating leases    61.8    16.3    24.5    13.2    7.8  
Purchase obligations (3)    20.6    18.6    1.7    0.3      
Pension plan funding (4)    0.3    0.3              
Shareholder dividends (5) (7)    1.2    1.2              
Other (6) (7)    9.0    2.2    1.5    1.5    3.8  
   
Total   $ 578.0   $ 132.5   $ 157.2   $ 40.2   $ 248.1  

(1) Amounts indicated do not include the recorded fair value of interest rate swap instruments.
(2) Estimated future interest payments on our outstanding debt obligations are based on interest rates as of May 30, 2009. Actual cash outflows may differ significantly due to changes in underlying interest rates and timing of principal payments.
(3) Purchase obligations consist of non-cancelable purchase orders and commitments for goods, services, and capital assets.
(4) Pension funding commitments are defined as the estimated minimum funding requirements to be made in the following 12-month period. Such funding, if any, is not known beyond fiscal 2010. As of May 30, 2009, the total accumulated benefit obligation for our domestic and international employee pension benefit plans was $337.1 million.
(5) Represents the recorded dividend payable as of May 30, 2009. Future dividend payments are not considered contractual obligations until declared. (6) Other contractual obligations primarily represent long-term commitments related to deferred and supplemental employee compensation benefits, other post-employment benefits, and minimum designer royalty payments. (7) Total balance is reflected as a liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at May 30, 2009.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Guarantees
We provide certain guarantees to third parties under various arrangements in the form of product warranties, loan guarantees, standby letters of credit, lease guarantees, performance bonds, and indemnification provisions. These arrangements are accounted for and disclosed in accordance with FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirement for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” as described in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Variable Interest Entities
On occasion, we provide financial support to certain independent dealers in the form of term loans, lines of credit, and loan guarantees. At May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, we were not considered the primary beneficiary of any such dealer relationships as defined by FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46(R)) and therefore, no entities were included as VIEs as of these dates.

The risks and rewards associated with our interests in these dealerships are primarily limited to our outstanding loans and guarantee amounts. As of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, our maximum exposure to potential losses related to outstanding loans to these dealerships totaled $0.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Information on our exposure related to outstanding loan guarantees provided to such entities is included in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our goal is to report financial results clearly and understandably. We follow U.S. generally accepted accounting principles in preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements, which require us to make certain estimates and apply judgments that affect our financial position and results of operations. We continually review our accounting policies and financial information disclosures. These policies and disclosures are reviewed at least annually with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Following is a summary of our more significant accounting policies that require the use of estimates and judgments in preparing the financial statements.

Revenue Recognition
As described in the “Executive Overview,” the majority of our products and services are sold through one of four channels: Independent contract furniture dealers and licensees, owned contract furniture dealers, direct to end customers, and independent retailers. We recognize revenue on sales to independent dealers, licensees, and retailers once the product is shipped and title passes to the buyer. When we sell product directly to the end customer or to owned dealers, we recognize revenue once the product and services are delivered and installation thereof is substantially complete.

Amounts recorded as net sales generally include any freight charged to customers, with the related freight expenses recognized within cost of sales. Items such as discounts off list price, rebates, and other sale-related marketing program expenses are recorded as reductions to net sales. We record accruals for rebates and other marketing programs, which require us to make estimates about future customer buying patterns and market conditions. Customer sales that reach (or fail to reach) certain levels can affect the amount of such estimates, and actual results could differ from our estimates.

Receivable Allowances
We base our allowances for receivables on known customer exposures, historical credit experience, and the specific identification of other potential problems, including the current economic climate. These methods are applied to all major receivables, including trade, lease, and notes receivable. In addition, we follow a policy that consistently applies reserve rates based on the age of outstanding accounts receivable. Actual collections can differ from our historical experience, and if economic or business conditions deteriorate significantly, adjustments to these reserves may be required.

The accounts receivable allowance totaled $7.3 million and $5.6 million at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, respectively. As a percentage of gross accounts receivable, these allowances totaled 4.7 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. The year-over-year increase in the allowance percentage is primarily due to the perceived risk associated with the current economic conditions as opposed to an increase in specific customer issues.

Goodwill
The carrying value of our goodwill assets as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, totaled $69.5 million and $40.2 million, respectively. The increase in goodwill balances relates primarily to our final payment for the acquisition of Brandrud and also the acquisition of certain elements of Ruskin Industries. We account for our goodwill assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142. Under this accounting guidance, we are required to perform an annual test on our goodwill assets by reporting unit to determine whether the asset values are impaired. If impairment is determined, we are required to reduce the net carrying value of the assets to their estimated fair market value.

Our impairment-testing model is based partly on the present value of projected cash flows and the resulting residual value as well as a market-based approach that considers recent market capitalization values. In completing the test under this approach, we assume that one of the drivers of the value of a business today is the cash flows it will generate in the future. We also assume that such future cash flows can be reasonably estimated. While these projected cash flows reflect our best estimate of future reporting unit performance, actual cash flows could differ significantly.

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The results of this test, performed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, indicated that our net goodwill asset values were not impaired. We employed a market-based approach in selecting the discount rates used in our analysis. By this, we mean the discount rates selected represent market rates of return equal to what we believe a reasonable investor would expect to achieve on investments of similar size to our reporting units. We believe the discount rates selected in our testing are conservative in that, in all cases, they exceed the estimated weighted average cost of capital for our business as a whole. The results of the impairment test are sensitive to changes in discount rates, though the testing performed in fiscal 2009 would indicate that even a significant increase in the discount rate would not have changed the result.

Warranty Reserve
We stand behind our products and keep our promises to customers. From time to time, quality issues arise resulting in the need to incur costs to correct problems with products or services. We have established warranty reserves for the various costs associated with these guarantees. General warranty reserves are based on historical claims experience and periodically adjusted for business levels. Specific reserves are established once an issue is identified. The valuation of such reserves is based on the estimated costs to correct the problem. Actual costs may vary and may result in an adjustment to these reserves.

Inventory Reserves
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The inventories at the majority of our manufacturing operations are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, whereas inventories of certain other subsidiaries are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. We establish reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, based on prevailing circumstances and judgment for consideration of current events, such as economic conditions, that may affect inventory. The reserve required to record inventory at lower of cost or market may be adjusted in response to changing conditions.

Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities, and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse.

We have net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards available in certain jurisdictions to reduce future taxable income. We also have foreign tax credits available in certain jurisdictions to reduce future tax due. Future tax benefits for NOL carryforwards and foreign tax credits are recognized to the extent that realization of these benefits is considered more likely than not. We base this determination on the expectation that related operations will be sufficiently profitable or various tax planning strategies available to us will enable us to utilize the NOL carryforwards and/or foreign tax credits. When information becomes available that raises doubts about the realization of a deferred income tax asset, a valuation allowance is established.

Self-Insurance Reserves
With the assistance of independent actuaries, we establish reserves for workers’ compensation and general liability exposures. The reserves are established based on expected future claims for incurred losses. We also establish reserves for health, prescription drugs, and dental benefit exposures based on historical claims information along with certain assumptions about future trends. The methods and assumptions used to determine the liabilities are applied consistently, although actual claims experience can vary. We also maintain insurance coverage for certain risk exposures through traditional premium-based insurance policies.

Pension and other Post-Retirement Benefits
The determination of the obligation and expense for pension and other post-retirement benefits depends on certain actuarial assumptions. Among the most significant of these assumptions is the discount rate, interest-crediting rate, and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. We determine these assumptions as follows.

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Discount Rate– This assumption is established at the end of the fiscal year based on high-quality corporate bond yields. We utilize the services of an independent actuarial firm to analyze and recommend an appropriate rate. For our domestic pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, the actuary uses a “cash flow matching” technique, which compares the estimated future cash flows of the plan to a published discount curve showing the relationship between interest rates and duration for hypothetical zero-coupon fixed income investments. We set the discount rate for our international pension plan based on the yield level of a commonly used corporate bond index in that jurisdiction. Because the average duration of the bonds underlying this index is less than that of our international pension plan liabilities, the index yield is used as a reference point. The final discount rate, which takes into consideration the index yield and the difference in comparative durations, is based on a recommendation from our independent actuarial consultant.

  The discount rates selected for our domestic pension and post-retirement benefit plans at the end of fiscal 2009 were consistent with those established at the end of fiscal 2008. With all other assumptions and values held constant, this would not result in a significant change in our pension and post-retirement benefit plan expenses for our 2009 fiscal year, which began on June 1, 2008. The discount rate selected for our international pension plan at the end of the current year was higher than the rate established at the end of fiscal 2008. This change would result in a decrease in our international pension plan expense for fiscal 2009 if all other assumptions were held constant.

Interest Crediting Rate– We use this assumption in accounting for our primary domestic pension plan, which is a cash balance-type plan. The rate, which represents the annual rate of interest applied to each plan participant’s account balance, is established at an assumed level, or spread, below the discount rate. We base this methodology on the historical spread between the 30-year U.S. Treasury and high-quality corporate bond yields. This relationship is examined annually to determine whether the methodology is still appropriate.

Expected Long-Term Rate of Return– We base this assumption on our long-term assumed rates of return for equities and fixed income securities, weighted by the allocation of the invested assets of the pension plan. We consider risk factors specific to the various classes of investments and advice from independent actuaries in establishing this rate. Changes in the investment allocation of plan assets would impact this assumption. A shift to a higher relative percentage of fixed income securities, for example, would result in a lower assumed rate.

  While this assumption represents our long-term market return expectation, actual asset returns can and do differ from year-to-year. Such differences give rise to actuarial gains and losses. In years where actual market returns are lower than the assumed rate, an actuarial loss is generated. Conversely, an actuarial gain results when actual market returns exceed the assumed rate in a given year. As of May 30, 2009, and May 31, 2008, the net actuarial loss associated with our employee pension and post-retirement benefit plans totaled approximately $197.4 million and $107.4 million, respectively. At both dates, the majority of this unrecognized loss was associated with lower than expected plan asset returns.

  For purposes of determining annual net pension expense, we use a calculated method for determining the market-related value of plan assets. Under this method, we recognize the change in fair value of plan assets systematically over a five-year period. Accordingly, a portion of our net actuarial loss is deferred. The remaining portion of the net actuarial loss is subject to amortization expense each year. The amortization period used in determining this expense is the estimated remaining working life of active pension plan participants. We currently estimate this period to be approximately 14 years. As of the beginning of fiscal year 2009, the deferred net actuarial loss (i.e., the portion of the total net actuarial loss not subject to amortization) was approximately $17.2 million.

  Refer to Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding costs and assumptions used for employee benefit plans.

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Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate long-lived assets and acquired business units for indicators of impairment when events or circumstances indicate that an impairment risk may be present. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment are based on market conditions, operational performance, and estimated future cash flows. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded to adjust the asset to its estimated fair value.

Stock-Based Compensation
We view stock-based compensation as a key component of total compensation for certain of our employees, non-employee directors and officers. We account for these programs, which include grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance share units, employee stock purchases, and stock options, in accordance with SFAS 123(R). Under this guidance we recognize compensation expense related to each of these share-based arrangements. We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model in estimating the fair value of stock options issued in connection with our compensation program. This pricing model requires the use of several input assumptions. Among the most significant of these assumptions are the expected volatility of our common stock price, and the expected timing of future stock option exercises.

Expected Volatility– This represents a measure, expressed as a percentage, of the expected fluctuation in the market price of our common stock. As a point of reference, a high volatility percentage would assume a wider expected range of market returns for a particular security. All other assumptions held constant, this would yield a higher stock option valuation than a calculation using a lower measure of volatility. In measuring the fair value of stock options issued during fiscal year 2009, we utilized an expected volatility of 33 percent.

Expected Term of Options– This assumption represents the expected length of time between the grant date of a stock option and the date at which it is exercised (option life). We assumed an average expected term of 5.5 years in calculating the fair values of the majority of stock options issued during fiscal 2009.

Refer to Note 14 for further discussion on our stock-based compensation plans.

Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, we encounter matters that raise the potential for contingent liabilities. In evaluating these matters for accounting treatment and disclosure, we are required to apply judgment in order to determine the probability that a liability has been incurred. We are also required to measure, if possible, the dollar value of such liabilities in determining whether or not recognition in our financial statements is required. This process involves the use of estimates which may differ from actual outcomes. Refer to Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information relating to contingencies.

New Accounting Standards

Refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to new accounting standards.

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Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this filing are not historical facts but are “forward-looking statements” as defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended. Such statements are based on management’s belief, assumptions, current expectations, estimates and projections about the office furniture industry, the economy and the company itself. Words like “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecast,” “likely,” “plans,” “projects,” and “should,” and variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, expense, likelihood, and degree of occurrence. These risks include, without limitation, employment and general economic conditions in the U.S. and in our international markets, the increase in white collar employment, the willingness of customers to undertake capital expenditures, the types of products purchased by customers, the possibility of order cancellations or deferrals by customers, competitive pricing pressures, the availability and pricing of direct materials, our reliance on a limited number of suppliers, currency fluctuations, the ability to increase prices to absorb the additional costs of direct materials, the financial strength of our dealers, the financial strength of our customers, the mix of our products purchased by customers, our ability to attract and retain key executives and other qualified employees, our ability to continue to make product innovations, the strength of the intellectual property relating to our products, the success of newly introduced products, our ability to serve all of our markets, possible acquisitions, divestitures or alliances, the outcome of pending litigation or governmental audits or investigations, and other risks identified in this Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what we express or forecast. Furthermore, Herman Miller, Inc., takes no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements.

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Item 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The company manufactures, markets, and sells its products throughout the world and, as a result, is subject to changing economic conditions, which could reduce the demand for its products.

Direct Material Costs

The company is exposed to risks arising from price changes for certain direct materials and assembly components used in its operations. The largest such costs incurred by the company are for steel, plastics, textiles, wood particleboard, and aluminum components. Commodity prices were volatile during fiscal 2009, resulting in sharp increases in costs for the first half of the year. As the year progressed, prices receded back to approximately the same level that they began the year at. The net impact of price changes during fiscal 2009 was an increase to our costs of $24 million to $26 million. Commodity prices were fairly flat during most of fiscal 2008, resulting in increased costs of $2 million to $4 million, with most of this increase occurring in the fourth quarter. During fiscal 2007, rising commodities had a significant impact, adding an estimated $14 million to $16 million to the consolidated cost of sales for the full year.

Steel and fuel price fluctuations have a direct impact on our input costs for many products. During the past fiscal year both factors increased sharply, followed by a steady decline in the second half of the year. During fiscal 2008 the impact of steel price increases was fairly flat due to price contracts with suppliers.

The company believes market prices for commodities in the near term may move lower but acknowledges that over time increases on its key direct materials and assembly components are likely. Consequently, it views the prospect of such increases as an outlook risk to the business.

Foreign Exchange Risk

The company manufactures its products in the United States, United Kingdom, and China. It also sources completed products and product components from outside the United States. The company’s completed products are sold in numerous countries around the world. Sales in foreign countries as well as certain expenses related to those sales are transacted in currencies other than the company’s reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, production costs and profit margins related to these sales are affected by the currency exchange relationship between the countries where the sales take place and the countries where the products are sourced or manufactured. These currency exchange relationships can also affect the company’s competitive positions within these markets.

In the normal course of business, the company enters into contracts denominated in foreign currencies. The principal foreign currencies in which the company conducts its business are the British pound (GBP), euro (EUR), Canadian dollar, Japanese yen, Mexican peso, Chinese renminbi (CNY), and Brazilian real (BRL). For the past three fiscal years the company has entered into forward currency instruments in order to offset exposure denominated in non-functional currency. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, nine contracts in total were placed to offset various currency exposures. To offset net asset exposure denominated in non-functional currency, three forward contracts for 4.8 million EUR and three forward contracts for 6.4 million USD were placed. Conversely, three contracts were placed to offset the company’s net liability exposure denominated in non-functional currency. The contracts included 0.5 million BRL, 3.5 million CNY, and 1.6 million of GBP. At the end of fiscal 2008, three contracts were placed to offset 4.0 million EUR for net asset exposure and two contracts for 6.0 million USD were placed to offset net liability exposure. Similarly, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the company entered into three separate forward currency contracts in order to offset 4.0 million EUR of net asset exposure denominated in a non-functional currency. In all three years, the instruments were marked to market at the end of the period, with changes in fair value reflected in net earnings. The fair value of the forward currency instruments was $0.1 million for both years ended May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, and a negligible amount at June 2, 2007.

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For fiscal year 2009, a net loss of $1.1 million related to remeasuring all foreign currency transactions into the appropriate functional currency was included in net earnings. For fiscal year 2008, a net gain of $0.1 million impacted net earnings, while the impact in fiscal 2007 was negligible. Additionally, the cumulative effect of translating the balance sheet and income statement accounts from the functional currency into the United States dollar increased the accumulated comprehensive loss component of total shareholders’ equity by $14.0 million as of the end of fiscal 2009. Conversely, the effect reduced the accumulated comprehensive loss component of total shareholder’s equity by $4.1 million, and $3.3 million for the years ended May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007, respectively.

Interest Rate Risk

The company maintains fixed-rate debt for which changes in interest rates generally affect fair market value but not earnings or cash flows. As of the end of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, the company held one interest rate swap agreement that effectively converts $50.0 million of fixed-rate debt securities to a variable rate. As of the end of fiscal year 2007, the company had two interest rate swaps that effectively converted $53.0 million of fixed-rate debt to a variable-rate basis. This debt is subject to changes in interest rates, which, if significant, could have a material impact on the company’s financial results. The interest rate swap derivative instruments are held and used by the company as a tool for managing interest rate risk. They are not used for trading or speculative purposes. The counterparties to these swap instruments are large financial institutions that the company believes are of high-quality creditworthiness. While the company may be exposed to potential losses due to the credit risk of non-performance by these counterparties, such losses are not anticipated.

The combined fair market value of effective interest rate swap instruments was $2.4 million, $0.5 million, and a negative $1.8 million at May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and June 2, 2007, respectively. The impact of these swap instruments on total interest expense was a reduction to interest expense of $1.2 million in fiscal 2009, $0.4 million in fiscal 2008, and an addition to interest expense of $0.6 million in fiscal 2007. All cash flows related to the company’s interest rate swap instruments are denominated in U.S. dollars. For further information, refer to Notes 16 and 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

As of May 30, 2009, the weighted-average interest rate on the company’s variable-rate debt was approximately 3.5 percent. Based on the level of variable-rate debt outstanding as of that date, a one percentage-point increase in the weighted-average interest rate would increase the company’s annual pre-tax interest expense by approximately $0.5 million.

Expected cash flows (notional amounts) over the next five years and thereafter related to debt instruments are as follows.

(In millions) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Thereafter Total (1)
Long-Term Debt:                                
  Fixed rate   $ 75.0   $ 100.0   $ —   $ —   $ —   $ 200.0   $ 375.0  
  Wtd. average interest rate = 6.69%  
   
Derivative Financial Instruments Related to  
     Debt - Interest Rate Swaps:  
  Pay variable/receive fixed   $ —   $ 50.0   $ —   $ —   $ —   $ —   $ 50.0  
  Pay interest rate = 3.53% (at May 31, 2009)  
  Receive interest rate = 7.125%  

(1) Amount does not include the recorded fair value of the swap instruments, which totaled $2.4 million at the end of fiscal 2009.

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Item 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Set forth below is a summary of the quarterly operating results on a consolidated basis for the years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007. Refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis provided in Item 7 and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further disclosure of significant accounting transactions that may have affected the quarterly operating results for each of the periods presented.

(In millions, except per share data) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter
  2009     Net sales     $ 479.1   $ 476.6   $ 354.4   $ 319.9  
   Gross margin (1)    162.4    155.4    105.9    104.0  
   Net earnings    33.4    32.6    (5.2 )  7.2  
   Earnings per share-basic (1)    .60    .61    (.10 )  .14  
   Earnings per share-diluted (1)    .60    .60    (.10 )  .14  
   
  2008   Net sales   $ 491.7   $ 505.9   $ 495.4   $ 519.1  
   Gross margin (1)    167.5    180.1    170.0    181.0  
   Net earnings (2)    33.5    41.0    38.3    39.5  
   Earnings per share-basic (1)    .54    .67    .66    .70  
   Earnings per share-diluted (1) (2)    .54    .67    .65    .71  
   
  2007   Net sales   $ 449.7   $ 499.1   $ 484.8   $ 485.3  
   Gross margin (1)    152.3    170.4    160.0    163.1  
   Net earnings (1)    28.5    36.6    32.3    31.7  
   Earnings per share-basic    .44    .57    .50    .50  
   Earnings per share-diluted(1)    .43    .56    .50    .50  

(1) The sum of the quarters does not equal the annual balance reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to rounding associated with the calculations on an individual quarter basis.
(2) The fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 includes adjustments to various tax accruals resulting in a reduction of income taxes of $3.4 million or $0.05 diluted earnings per share in the quarter.

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Consolidated Statements of Operations Fiscal Years Ended
(In millions, except per share data) May 30, 2009 May 31, 2008 June 2, 2007
Net sales     $ 1,630.0   $ 2012.1   $ 1,918.9  
Cost of sales    1,102.3    1,313.4    1,273.0  
Gross margin    527.7    698.7    645.9  
Operating Expenses:  
    Selling, general, and administrative    330.8    395.8    395.8  
    Restructuring expenses    28.4    5.1      
    Design and research    45.7    51.2    52.0  
    Total operating expenses    404.9    452.1    447.8  
Operating earnings    122.8    246.6    198.1  
Other Expenses (Income):  
    Interest expense    25.6    18.8    13.7  
    Interest and other investment income    (2.6 )  (3.8 )  (4.1 )
    Other, net    0.9    1.2    1.5  
    Net other expenses    23.9    16.2    11.1  
Earnings before income taxes and minority interest    98.9    230.4    187.0  
Income tax expense    31.0    78.2    57.9  
Minority interest, net of income tax    (0.1 )  (0.1 )    
Net Earnings     $ 68.0   $ 152.3   $ 129.1  
   
Earnings per share - basic   $ 1.26   $ 2.58   $ 2.01  
   
Earnings per share - diluted   $ 1.25   $ 2.56   $ 1.98  



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Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions, except share and per share data)
May 30, 2009 May 31, 2008
Assets            
Current Assets:  
     Cash and cash equivalents   $ 192.9   $ 155.4  
     Marketable securities    11.3    15.7  
     Accounts receivable, less allowances of $7.3 in 2009 and   
       $5.6 in 2008    148.9    209.0  
     Inventories, net    37.3    55.1  
     Prepaid expenses and other    60.5    58.0  
     Total Current Assets       450.9     493.2  
   
Property and Equipment:  
     Land and improvements    18.8    19.0  
     Buildings and improvements    137.4    139.4  
     Machinery and equipment    552.0    547.4  
     Construction in progress    9.8    17.4  
     718.0    723.2  
     Less: accumulated depreciation    (538.8 )  (526.9 )
     Net Property and Equipment       179.2     196.3  
Goodwill    69.5    40.2  
Other assets    67.7    53.5  
Total Assets     $ 767.3   $ 783.2  
   
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity    
Current Liabilities:  
     Unfunded checks   $ 3.9   $ 8.5  
     Current maturities of long-term debt    75.0      
     Accounts payable    79.1    117.9  
     Accrued liabilities    125.2    184.1  
     Total Current Liabilities       283.2     310.5  
   
Long-term debt, less current maturities    302.4    375.5  
Other liabilities    173.7    73.8  
Total Liabilities       759.3     759.8  
   
Shareholders' Equity:  
   Preferred stock, no par value (10,000,000 shares authorized,  
     none issued)          
   Common stock, $0.20 par value (240,000,000 shares authorized,  
     53,826,061 and 55,706,997 shares issued and outstanding in  
     2009 and 2008, respectively)    10.8    11.1  
    Additional paid-in capital    5.9      
    Retained earnings    129.2    76.7  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss    (134.1 )  (60.1 )
    Key executive deferred compensation    (3.8 )  (4.3 )
Total Shareholders' Equity       8.0     23.4  
   
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity     $ 767.3   $ 783.2  


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Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
(In millions, except share data)
Shares of Common Stock Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Key Exec. Deferred Comp. Total Shareholders' Equity
                               
Balance, June 3, 2006       66,034,452 $ 13.2   $   $ 192.2   $ (63.3 ) $ (3.7 ) $ 138.4  
Net earnings                129.1            129.1  
Foreign currency translation adjustment                    3.3        3.3  
Pension and post-retirement liability adjustments (net  
of tax of $33.5 million)                    58.3        58.3  
Unrealized holding gain (net of negligible tax)                    0.1        0.1  
Total comprehensive income                            190.8  
   
Cash dividends declared ($0.328 per share)                (21.0 )          (21.0 )
Exercise of stock options    1,886,326  0.4    46.9                47.3  
Employee stock purchase plan    102,808        3.4                3.4  
Tax benefit relating to stock-based compensation            6.7                6.7  
Repurchase and retirement of common stock    (5,116,375 )  (1.0 )  (61.4 )  (102.5 )          (164.9 )
Directors' fees    5,637        0.2                0.2  
Restricted stock units compensation expense            2.4            (1.3 )  1.1  
Restricted stock units released    1,527        0.1                0.1  
Stock grants compensation expense    -        (1.1 )          1.8    0.7  
Stock grants issued    5,050                          
Stock option compensation expense            2.5                2.5  
Deferred compensation plan            0.3            (0.3 )  0.0  
Adjustment to adopt SFAS 158 (net of tax of $28.2  
  million)                    (50.0 )      (50.0 )
Balance, June 2, 2007       62,919,425 $ 12.6   $   $ 197.8   $ (51.6 ) $ (3.5 ) $ 155.3  
Net earnings                152.3            152.3  
Foreign currency translation adjustment                    4.1        4.1  
Pension liability adjustments (net of tax of $5.2 million)                    (12.6 )      (12.6 )
Total comprehensive income                               143.8  
Cash dividends declared ($0.352 per share)                (20.5 )          (20.5 )
Exercise of stock options    125,301        2.9                2.9  
Employee stock purchase plan    118,801        3.3                3.3  
Tax benefit relating to stock-based compensation            0.1                0.1  
Excess tax benefit relating to stock-based compensation            0.1                0.1  
Repurchase and retirement of common stock    (7,488,430 )  (1.5 )  (13.3 )  (251.9 )          (266.7 )
Restricted stock units compensation expense            0.6                0.6  
Restricted stock units released    2,892        0.1                0.1  
Stock grants compensation expense            0.7                0.7  
Stock grants issued    12,922                          
Stock option compensation expense            3.0                3.0  
Deferred compensation plan            0.6            (0.8 )  (0.2 )
Directors' fees    16,086        0.5                0.5  
Performance share units compensation expense            1.4                1.4  
Cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 (net of tax)                (1.0 )          (1.0 )
Balance, May 31, 2008       55,706,997 $ 11.1   $   $ 76.7   $ (60.1 ) $ (4.3 ) $ 23.4  
Net earnings                68.0            68.0  
Foreign currency translation adjustment                    (14.0 )      (14.0 )
Pension liability adjustments (net of tax of $35.3 million)                    (59.9 )      (59.9 )
Unrealized holding loss                    (0.1 )     (0.1 )
Total comprehensive loss       (6.0 )


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Cash dividends declared ($0.286 per share)                (15.5 )          (15.5 )
Exercise of stock options    23,050        0.5                0.5  
Employee stock purchase plan    187,037        2.7                2.7  
Tax benefit relating to stock-based compensation            0.1                0.1  
Excess tax benefit relating to stock-based compensation            (0.3 )              (0.3 )
Repurchase and retirement of common stock    (2,138,701 )  (0.3 )  0.2                (0.1 )
Restricted stock units compensation expense            0.2                0.2  
Restricted stock units released    14,074        0.4                0.4  
Stock grants compensation expense            0.7                0.7  
Stock grants issued    3,600                          
Stock option compensation expense            2.9                2.9  
Deferred compensation plan            (0.5 )          0.5      
Directors' fees    30,004        0.4                0.4  
Performance share units compensation expense            (1.4 )              (1.4 )
Balance, May 30, 2009       53,826,0 61   10.8     5.9     129.2     (134.1 )   (3.8 )   8.0  


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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Fiscal Years Ended
(In millions) May 30, 2009 May 31, 2008 June 2, 2007
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:                
     Net earnings   $ 68.0   $ 152.3   $ 129.1  
     Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided  
       by operating activities    23.7    61.3    8.6  
    
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities       91.7     213.6     137.7  
   
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:  
     Notes receivable repayments    60.6    69.1    67.4  
     Notes receivable issued    (60.3 )  (68.4 )  (66.8 )
     Marketable securities purchases    (3.0 )  (11.9 )  (11.5 )
     Marketable securities sales    6.4    12.1    11.0  
     Capital expenditures    (25.3 )  (40.5 )  (41.3 )
     Proceeds from sales of property and equipment    0.3    0.3    7.9  
     Proceeds from disposal of owned dealers    1.3    0.9      
     Net cash paid for acquisitions    (29.5 )  (11.7 )  (3.5 )
     Loss on impairment of investments    0.6          
     Proceeds from loan on cash surrender value of  
        life insurance    19.3          
     Other, net    0.1    (0.9 )  (0.6 )
   
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities       (29.5 )   (51.0 )   (37.4 )
   
   
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:  
     Short-term debt repayments        (1.2 )    
     Long-term debt repayments        (4.0 )  (3.0 )
     Long-term debt borrowings        200.0      
     Dividends paid    (19.2 )  (21.2 )  (20.7 )
     Common stock issued    3.4    6.5    50.4  
     Common stock repurchased and retired    (0.3 )  (266.7 )  (164.9 )
     Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation    (0.3 )  0.1    6.7  
     Other, net    (0.1 )        
   
Net Cash Used for Financing Activities       (16.5 )   (86.5 )   (131.5 )
   
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents    (8.2 )  2.9    0.8  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents       37.5     79.0     (30.4 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year    155.4    76.4    106.8  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year     $ 192.9   $ 155.4   $ 76.4  


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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting and reporting policies not reflected elsewhere in the accompanying financial statements.

Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Herman Miller, Inc., and its majority-owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries. The consolidated entities are collectively referred to as “the company.” All intercompany accounts and transactions, including any involving VIEs, have been eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Description of Business
The company researches, designs, manufactures and distributes interior furnishings, for use in various environments including office, healthcare, educational, and residential settings, and provides related services that support companies all over the world. The company’s products are sold primarily through independent contract office furniture dealers. Accordingly, accounts and notes receivable in the accompanying balance sheets are principally amounts due from the dealers.

Fiscal Year
The company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to May 31. Fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and June 2, 2007, each contain 52 weeks. An extra week in the company’s fiscal year is required approximately every six years in order to realign its fiscal calendar-end dates with the actual calendar months. Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency for foreign subsidiaries is the local currency. The cumulative effects of translating the balance sheet accounts from the functional currency into the United States dollar using fiscal year-end exchange rates and translating revenue and expense accounts using average exchange rates for the period is reflected as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The financial statement impact resulting from remeasuring all foreign currency transactions into the appropriate functional currency, which is included in “Other Expenses (Income)” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was a net loss of $1.1 million for the year ended May 30, 2009. For the years ended May 31, 2008 and June 2, 2007, the financial statement impact was a net gain of $0.1 million and negligible, respectively.

Cash Equivalents
The company holds cash equivalents as part of its cash management function. Cash equivalents include money market funds, time deposit investments, and treasury bills with original maturities of less than three months. The carrying value of cash equivalents, which approximates fair value, totaled $99.0 million and $90.7 million as of May 30, 2009, and May 31, 2008, respectively. All cash and cash equivalents are high-credit quality financial instruments, and the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution or instrument is limited.

Marketable Securities
The company maintains a portfolio of marketable securities primarily comprised of investment-grade, fixed-income securities. These investments are held by the company’s wholly owned insurance captive and are considered “available-for-sale” as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” Accordingly, they have been recorded at fair market value based on quoted market prices, with the resulting net unrealized holding gains or losses reflected net of tax as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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All marketable security transactions are recognized on the trade date. Realized gains and losses on disposal of available-for-sale investments are included in “Interest and other investment income” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net investment loss recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for available-for-sale investments totaled $0.2 million for the year ended May 30, 2009 and investment gain of $0.7 million, and $0.8 million for the years ended May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007, respectively. Included in the net investment loss of $0.2 million in fiscal 2009 was an impairment charge for certain equity investments of $0.6 million. This impairment charge also permanently reduced the cost basis in the investment by a corresponding amount.

The following is a summary of the carrying and market values of the company’s marketable securities as of the dates indicated.

May 30, 2009
(In millions) Cost Unrealized Gain Unrealized Loss Market Value
   U.S. Government & agency debt     $ 3.6   $ 0.3   $   $ 3.9  
   Corporate investments    3.9            3.9  
   Mortgage-backed    3.8        (0.6 )  3.2  
   Other debt    0.5        (0.2 )  0.3  
   Total   $ 11.8   $ 0.3   $ (0.8 ) $ 11.3  

May 31, 2008
(In millions) Cost Unrealized Gain Unrealized Loss Market Value
   U.S. Government & agency debt     $ 4.8   $ 0.2   $   $ 5.0  
   Corporate investments    6.0        (0.2 )  5.8  
   Mortgage-backed    4.2        (0.1 )  4.1  
   Other debt    0.9        (0.1 )  0.8  
   Total   $ 15.9   $ 0.2   $ (0.4 ) $ 15.7  

Maturities of marketable securities as of May 30, 2009, are as follows.

(In millions) Cost Market Value
   Due within one year     $ 3.6   $ 3.5          
    Due after one year through five years    6.0    5.8  
    Due after five years    2.2    2.0  
    Total   $ 11.8   $ 11.3  

Accounts Receivable Allowances
Reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable balances are based on known customer exposures, historical credit experience, and the specific identification of other potential problems, including the economic climate. Balances are written off against the reserve once the company determines the probability of collection to be remote. The company generally does not require collateral or other security on trade accounts receivable.

Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The inventories at the majority of the company’s manufacturing operations are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, whereas inventories of certain other of the company’s subsidiaries are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The company establishes reserves for excess and obsolete inventory, based on prevailing circumstances and judgment for consideration of current events, such as economic conditions, that may affect inventory. Further information on the company’s recorded inventory balances can be found in Note 4.

Property, Equipment, and Depreciation
Property and equipment are stated at cost. The cost is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets, using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives range from 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment and do not exceed 40 years for buildings. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the lease term or the useful life of the asset, not to exceed 10 years. The company capitalizes certain external and internal costs incurred in connection with the development, testing, and installation of software for internal use. Software for internal use is included in property and equipment and is depreciated over an estimated useful life not exceeding 5 years.

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During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the company completed the sale of its Canton, Georgia facility which was exited in fiscal 2004. The company received net cash consideration of $7.5 million, for assets with a carrying value of $7.5 million. This resulted in a negligible pre-tax gain.

As of the end of fiscal 2009, outstanding commitments for future capital purchases approximated $5.8 million.

Long-Lived Assets
The company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” This assessment is performed whenever events or circumstances such as current and projected future operating losses or changes in the business climate indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Assets are grouped and evaluated at the lowest level for which there are independent and identifiable cash flows. The company considers historical performance and future estimated results in its evaluation of potential impairment and then compares the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows (without interest charges) expected to result from the use of the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the expected future cash flows, the company measures and records an impairment loss for the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value. The estimation of fair value is made by discounting the expected future cash flows at the rate the company uses to evaluate similar potential investments based on the best information available at that time.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The company’s recorded goodwill at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, is associated with the North American Furniture Solutions segment, which is described in further detail in Note 20. The company is required to test the carrying value of goodwill for impairment at the “reporting unit” level annually or more frequently if a triggering event occurs under the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS 142). As a matter of practice, the company performs the required annual impairment testing of goodwill during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. The annual testing performed each year indicated the present value of discounted cash flows of the reporting unit exceeded the recorded carrying value of the company’s goodwill assets, and accordingly no impairment charge was required for the years ending May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007.

SFAS 142 also requires the company to evaluate its acquired intangible assets to determine whether any have “indefinite useful lives.” Under this accounting standard, intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, if any, are not subject to amortization. The company has other intangible assets, consisting of certain trademarks and tradenames valued at approximately $4.3 million, which have indefinite useful lives and are evaluated in a manner consistent with goodwill. The company amortizes its other intangible assets over their remaining useful lives using the straight-line method over periods ranging from 5 to 17 years.

Other intangible assets are comprised of patents, trademarks, and intellectual property rights with a combined gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of $24.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively as of May 30, 2009. As of May 31, 2008, these amounts totaled $25.7 million and $7.6 million, respectively.

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Estimated amortization expense for existing intangible assets as of May 30, 2009, for each of the succeeding five fiscal years is as follows.

(In millions)
2010
    $1.4  
2011    1.4  
2012    1.3  
2013    0.6  
2014    0.5  

Notes Receivable
The notes receivable are primarily from certain independent contract office furniture dealers. These notes are the result of dealers in transition either through a change in ownership or general financial difficulty. The notes generally are collateralized by the assets of the dealers and bear interest based on the prevailing prime rate. Recorded reserves are based on historical credit experience, collateralization levels, and the specific identification of other potential collection problems. Interest income relating to these notes was $0.1 million for the year ended May 30, 2009 and $0.4 million for the years ended May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007.

Unfunded Checks
As a result of maintaining a consolidated cash management system, the company utilizes controlled disbursement bank accounts. These accounts are funded as checks are presented for payment, not when checks are issued. Any resulting book overdraft position is included in current liabilities as unfunded checks.

Self-Insurance
The company is partially self-insured for general liability, workers’ compensation, and certain employee health and dental benefits under insurance arrangements that provide for third-party coverage of claims exceeding the company’s loss retention levels. The company’s retention levels designated within significant insurance arrangements as of May 30, 2009, are as follows.

      Retention Level    
General liability and auto liability/physical damage   $1.00 million per occurrence  
Workers' compensation and property   $0.75 million per occurrence  
Health benefits   $0.20 million per employee  

The company’s policy is to accrue amounts equal to the actuarially-determined liabilities for loss and loss adjustment expenses, which are included in “Other Liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The actuarial valuations are based on historical information along with certain assumptions about future events. Changes in assumptions for such matters as legal actions, medical costs, and changes in actual experience could cause these estimates to change. The general and workers’ compensation liabilities are managed through the company’s wholly-owned insurance captive.

Research, Development, and Other Related Costs
Research, development, pre-production, and start-up costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development (R&D) costs consist of expenditures incurred during the course of planned search and investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge useful in developing new products or processes. R&D costs also include the significant enhancement of existing products or production processes and the implementation of such through design, testing of product alternatives, or construction of prototypes. Royalty payments made to designers of the company’s products as the products are sold are not included in research and development costs, as they are a variable cost based on product sales. Research and development costs included in “Design and Research” expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations of $36.2 million, $38.8 million, $42.1 million, in fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

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Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “Selling, general, and administrative” expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Advertising costs were $2.2 million, $3.4 million, and $3.2 million, in fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities, and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse.

Stock-Based Compensation
The company has several stock-based compensation plans, which are described fully in Note 14. In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123(R)), which supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The company adopted the provisions of SFAS 123(R) in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) excludes the dilutive effect of common shares that could potentially be issued, due to the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares, and is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS for fiscal years 2009, 2008, and 2007, was computed by dividing net earnings by the sum of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding, plus all dilutive shares that could potentially be issued. Refer to Note 13, for further information regarding the computation of EPS.

Revenue Recognition
The company recognizes revenue on sales through its network of independent contract furniture dealers and independent retailers once the related product is shipped and title passes to the dealer. In situations where products are sold through subsidiary dealers or directly to the end customer, revenue is recognized once the related product is shipped to the end customer and installation is substantially complete. Offers such as rebates and discounts are recorded as reductions to net sales. Unearned revenue occurs during the normal course of business due to advance payments from customers for future delivery of products and services.

Shipping and Handling Expenses
The company records shipping and handling related expenses under the caption “Cost of Sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
The company’s comprehensive income (loss) consists of net earnings, foreign currency translation adjustments, pension and post-retirement liability adjustments, and unrealized holding gains (losses) on “available-for-sale” investments. The components of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in each of the last three fiscal years are as follows.

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(In millions)


 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension and Post-Retirement Liability Adjustments (net of tax) Unrealized Holding Period Gains (Losses) (net of tax) Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, June 3, 2006     $ (2.8 ) $ (60.2 ) $ (0.3 ) $ (63.3 )
Other comprehensive gain in  
   fiscal 2007    3.3    58.3    0.1    61.7  
Adjustments to adopt SFAS No. 158        (50.0 )      (50.0 )
Balance, June 2, 2007    0.5    (51.9 )  (0.2 )  (51.6 )
Other comprehensive  
   gain/(loss) in fiscal 2008    4.1    (12.6 )      (8.5 )
Balance May 31, 2008    4.6    (64.5 )  (0.2 )  (60.1 )
Other comprehensive  
   gain/(loss) in fiscal 2009    (14.0 )  (59.9 )  (0.1 )  (74.0 )
Balance May 30, 2009   $ (9.4 ) $ (124.4 ) $ (0.3 ) $ (134.1 )

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Variable Interest Entities
The company has provided subordinated debt to and/or guarantees on behalf of certain independent contract furniture dealerships. These relationships may constitute variable interests under the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46(R)). On May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, the company was not considered the primary beneficiary of any such dealer relationships as defined by FIN 46(R) and therefore, no entities were included as Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) as of these dates. Refer to Note 3 for further discussion regarding VIEs.

Fair Value
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which establishes a comprehensive framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  Specifically, SFAS 157 sets forth a definition of fair value, and establishes a hierarchy prioritizing the use of inputs in valuation techniques. SFAS 157 defines levels within the hierarchy as follows:

Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 –either direct or indirect inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for similar assets or liabilities.
  Level 3 - inputs are unobservable.

The company adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 for financial assets and liabilities as of June 1, 2008.  There was no impact to the company’s consolidated financial statements related to the adoption of SFAS 157. The following table sets forth financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the respective pricing levels to which the fair value measurements are classified within the fair value hierarchy as of May 30, 2009.

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(In millions) Fair Value Measurements as of May 30, 2009
Financial Assets Total Quoted Prices In Active Markets (Level 1) Quoted Prices With Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Available-for-sale securities     $ 11.3   $ 4.3   $ 7.0  
Interest rate swap agreements    2.4        2.4  
Deferred compensation plan investments    1.4    1.4      
Foreign currency forward contracts    0.2        0.2  
Total   $ 15.3   $ 5.7   $ 9.6  
   
Financial Liabilities  
Foreign currency forward contracts   $ 0.1   $   $ 0.1  
Total   $ 0.1   $   $ 0.1  

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 expands the use of fair value measurement by permitting entities to choose to measure at fair value, many financial instruments and certain other items that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The company adopted the provisions of SFAS 159 at the beginning of fiscal 2009 and elected not to expand the use of fair value accounting beyond those assets and liabilities currently required to use this basis of measurement.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
On February 28, 2009, the company adopted FASB Statement No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement 133” (SFAS 161). The adoption of SFAS 161 had no financial impact on our consolidated financial statements and only required additional financial statement disclosures. The requirements of SFAS 161 have been applied on a prospective basis. Accordingly, disclosures related to periods prior to the date of adoption have not been presented.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements  
We have used interest rate swaps in order for a portion of interest bearing debt to be variable, which matches interest expense with our business cycle. As of May 30, 2009, the company has one interest rate swap agreement that has the economic effect of modifying the fixed interest obligations associated with a portion of our public debt securities due March 15, 2011 so that the interest payable on the senior notes effectively becomes variable at a rate set to the six-month LIBOR rate plus 2.65 percent. The critical terms of the interest rate swap agreement and a component of the public debt securities match, including the notional amounts, interest rate reset dates, maturity dates and underlying market indices. Accordingly, as of May 30, 2009, a total of $50.0 million of the company’s outstanding debt was effectively converted to a variable-rate basis as a result of the interest rate swap arrangement. This swap is a fair-value hedge and qualifies for hedge-accounting treatment using the “short-cut” method under the provisions of SFAS 133. Under this accounting treatment, the change in the fair value of the interest rate swap is equal to the change in value of the related hedged debt and, as a result, there is no net effect on earnings. The agreement requires the company to pay floating-rate interest payments in return for receiving fixed-rate interest payments that coincide with the semi-annual payments to the debt holders at the same date. The periodic interest settlements, which occur at the same interval as the public debt securities, are recorded as interest expense.

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Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges  
We transact business in various foreign currencies and have established a program that primarily utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures. Under this program, the company’s strategy is to have increases or decreases in our foreign currency exposures offset by gains or losses on the foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the risks and volatility associated with foreign currency transaction gains or losses. These foreign currency exposures typically arise from net liability or asset exposures in non-local currencies on the balance sheets of our foreign subsidiaries. These foreign currency forward contracts generally settle within 90 days and are not used for trading purposes. These forward contracts are not designated as hedging instruments pursuant to SFAS 133. Accordingly, we record the fair value of these contracts as of the end of the reporting period in the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value recorded in our consolidated statement of operations. The balance sheet classification for the fair values of these forward contracts is other current assets for unrealized gains and to other current liabilities for unrealized losses. The statement of operations classification for the fair values of these forward contracts is to other expenses (income), other, net, for both realized and unrealized gains and losses.

As of May 30, 2009, the notional amounts of the forward contracts held to purchase and sell U.S. dollars in exchange for other major international currencies were $10.4 million and the notional amounts of the foreign currency forward contracts held to sell European euros in exchange for other major international currencies were €4.8 million.

The effects of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated financial statements were as follows for the year ended May 30, 2009 (amounts presented exclude any income tax effects) are shown below. The effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statement of operations was $0.1 million for the period ended May 30, 2009.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(In millions) May 30, 2009
Balance Sheet Location Fair Value
Interest rate swap agreement - fair market value     Other noncurrent assets     $ 2 .4
   
Foreign currency forward contracts  
 not designated as hedges   Other current assets   $ 0 .2
   
Foreign currency forward contracts  
 not designated as hedges   Other current liabilities   $ 0 .1

Effects of Derivative Instruments of Income
(In millions) May 30, 2009
Recognized Income on Derivative (Gain) Loss Location Amount
Foreign currency forward contracts     Other Expense (Income), Other, net     $ (0 .1)

New Accounting Standards
In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123(R)), which supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” This statement focuses primarily on transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in exchange for share-based payments. Under SFAS 123(R), a public entity generally is required to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award, with such cost recognized over the requisite service period. This new accounting treatment is also required for any share-based payments to our Board of Directors. SFAS 123(R) also requires an entity to provide certain disclosures in order to assist in understanding the nature of share-based payment transactions and the effects of those transactions on the financial statements. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 123(R) in the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Further information regarding the adoption of SFAS 123(R) is provided in Note 14.

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In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. Under FIN 48, the tax effects of a position should be recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained based solely on its technical merits as of the reporting date. FIN 48 also requires significant new annual disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The effect of adjustments at adoption is required to be recorded directly to beginning retaining earnings in the period of adoption and reported as a change in accounting principle. The company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 at the beginning of fiscal 2008. Further information regarding the adoption of FIN 48 is provided in Note 15.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158 “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” (SFAS 158). SFAS 158 amends SFAS No. 87 “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” SFAS No. 88 “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits,” SFAS No. 106 “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions” and SFAS 132 “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” The amendments retain most of the existing measurement and disclosure guidance and will not change the amounts recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. SFAS 158 requires companies to recognize a net asset or liability with an offset to equity, by which the defined-benefit postretirement obligation is over-funded or under-funded. SFAS 158 requires prospective application. The company adopted the provisions of SFAS 158 as of June 2, 2007, and the adoption of SFAS 158 did not require a restatement of prior periods.

In December 2007, the FASB issued a revised version of SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations (revised 2007)” (SFAS 141(R)). The FASB also issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements-An Amendment of ARB No. 51” (SFAS 160) at the same time it issued SFAS 141(R). SFAS 160 requires all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements, except as required under FIN 46 (required consolidation with respect to Variable Interest Entities).

The company is required to adopt the provisions of both SFAS 141(R) and SFAS 160 simultaneously at the beginning of fiscal 2010. Earlier adoption is prohibited. The company is currently evaluating the provisions of these pronouncements; however, there will be an immediate impact from SFAS 141(R) as it relates to the announced acquisition of Nemschoff Chairs, LLC. Under SFAS 141(R) we expect to expense acquisition related costs as incurred and contingent consideration associated with the transaction will be capitalized at estimated fair value as of the acquisition date.

In June 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position (“FSP”) Emerging Issue Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (“FSP EITF 03-6-1”). FSP EITF 03-6-1 provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. FSP EITF 03-6-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 (fiscal year 2009 for the company). Upon adoption, a company is required to retrospectively adjust its earnings per share data, including any amounts related to interim periods, summaries of earnings, and selected financial data, to conform to the provisions of FSP EITF 03-6-1. The adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 during fiscal 2009 had no financial impact on our consolidated financial statements and only required additional financial statement disclosures.

On December 30, 2008, the FASB issued FSP SFAS No. 132(R)-1, Employer’s Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets (“FSP SFAS No. 132(R)-1”). This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 132 (Revised 2003), Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (“SFAS No. 132(R)”), to provide guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The disclosures about plan assets required by FSP SFAS No. 132(R)-1 shall be provided for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009 (fiscal 2010 for the company). Upon initial application, the provisions of FSP SFAS No. 132(R)-1 are not required for earlier periods that are presented for comparative purposes. Earlier application of the provisions of FSP SFAS No. 132(R)-1 is permitted. Since FSP SFAS No. 132(R)-1 requires only additional disclosures concerning plan assets, adoption of FSP SFAS No. 132(R)-1 is not expected to affect the company’s financial statements.

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In April 2009, the FASB released FASB Staff Position FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (FSP FAS 115-2). Under FSP FAS 115-2, impairment for debt securities, in certain circumstances, is separated into the credit loss amount recognized in earnings and the amount related to all other factors (non-credit loss) recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. FSP FAS 115-2 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009, although early adoption is permitted for companies with periods ending after March 15, 2009. The company chose to adopt FSP FAS 115-2 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, which did not have a material impact on the company’s financial statements.

2. Acquisitions and Divestitures

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, Convia, a subsidiary of Herman Miller, Inc. acquired a technology company for $3.5 million in cash. The intellectual property acquired in connection with this transaction is intended to enhance the functionality of Convia’s product offering.

On February 1, 2008, the company completed its acquisition of the stock of Brandrud Furniture, Inc. (Brandrud), an Auburn, Washington based manufacturer of healthcare furnishings. With annual net sales of approximately $20 million at the time of acquisition, Brandrud focuses on seating products for patient rooms, patient treatment areas, and public spaces such as lobbies and waiting areas. The final purchase price related to this transaction included an initial $12 million cash payment, the assumption of $2.1 million of debt and a performance-based contingency payment of $26.6 million cash paid in fiscal 2009 and recognized as goodwill.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition were recorded on the company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets based on their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The results of operations of Brandrud have been included in the company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations since the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the underlying assets acquired and liabilities assumed was allocated to goodwill. Brandrud is included in the company’s North American segment; therefore all of the goodwill recorded in the acquisition has been allocated to that segment.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the company completed the sale of a wholly-owned contract furniture dealership in Texas. The effect of this transaction on the company’s consolidated financial statements was not material.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the company completed the purchase of selected elements of Ruskin Industries, a specialized manufacturer of complex wood chair frames and wood frame components, based in Hickory, North Carolina. The purchase consideration for this transaction was approximately $2.9 million.

Subsequent to May 30, 2009, the company acquired Nemschoff Chairs, LLC (Nemschoff) a Sheboygan, Wisconsin-based manufacturer, with additional manufacturing capabilities in Sioux Center, Iowa. Nemschoff manufactures healthcare furnishings, with an emphasis on seating products for patient rooms, patient treatment areas, and public spaces such as lobbies and waiting areas. Nemschoff also serves the higher education and office markets. Nemschoff, with revenues of greater than $90 million in its most recently completed fiscal year, was acquired for a combination of $32.1 million in cash, which was paid with cash-on-hand and the issuance of 2,041,666 shares of the company’s common stock. Additionally, there are two forms of contingent consideration; one being in the form of a performance-based payment that is in the range of $0 and $25 million and would be earned over the next two years. The other contingent consideration is in the form of a contingent value right (“CVR”) for each share of common stock issued. In the aggregate, the CVRs will be in the range of $0 and $22 million in two years. Each CVR entitles the holder to compensation in the event that the company’s share price is below $24 per share in June, 2011. A floor price of $13.28 has been established that provides a maximum payout of $10.72 per share to payable at the time of maturity. Both the performance-based and CVR payments, if any, may be made in either cash or stock at the company’s discretion.

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3. Variable Interest Entities

The company adopted FIN 46(R) at the end of fiscal year 2004. At that time the company qualified as the “primary beneficiary” in certain dealer relationships which required the company to include the financial statements of the qualifying VIEs in its Consolidated Financial Statements. Since that time, triggering events occurred which caused the company to cease the consolidation of these VIE financial statements. At May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, the company was not considered the primary beneficiary in any of its independent dealer financing relationships.

4. Inventories

(In millions) May 30,
2009
May 31,
2008
Finished goods     $ 20.5   $ 25.6  
Work in process    4.9    13.6  
Raw materials    11.9    15.9  
Total   $ 37.3   $ 55.1  

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market and include material, labor, and overhead. The inventories of the majority of domestic manufacturing subsidiaries are valued using the last-in, first-out method (LIFO). The inventories of all other subsidiaries are valued using the first-in, first-out method. Inventories valued using LIFO amounted to $13.0 million and $17.2 million as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, respectively. If all inventories had been valued using the first-in first-out method, inventories would have been $11.5 million and $12.0 million higher than reported at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, respectively.

5. Prepaid Expenses and Other

(In millions) May 30,
2009
May 31,
2008
Deferred income taxes   $ 14.8   $ 17.1  
Taxes    16.7    9.7  
Other    29.0    31.2  
Total   $ 60.5   $ 58.0  

6. Other Assets

(In millions) May 30,
2009
May 31,
2008
Notes receivable, less allowance of $0.5 in 2009 and $3.2 in 2008   $   $  
Other intangibles, net    14.5    18.1  
Deferred income taxes    45.0    11.9  
Cash surrender value of life insurance    2.1    20.4  
Other    6.1    3.1  
Total   $ 67.7   $ 53.5  


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7. Accrued Liabilities

(In millions) May 30,
2009
May 31,
2008
Compensation and employee benefits   $ 43.9   $ 92.6  
Income taxes    0.6    5.6  
Other taxes    11.0    13.4  
Unearned revenue    11.2    16.6  
Warranty reserves    15.4    14.9  
Charitable contributions    0.1    0.5  
Pension and post-retirement benefits    1.5    1.6  
Restructuring    11.6    0.6  
Other    29.9    38.3  
Total   $ 125.2   $ 184.1  

8. Other Liabilities

(In millions) May 30,
2009
May 31,
2008
Pension benefits   $ 121.2   $ 22.4  
Post-retirement benefits    12.2    11.9  
Other    40.3    39.5  
Total   $ 173.7   $ 73.8  

9. Notes Payable

In December 2007, the company entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility that provides for $250 million of borrowings and which expires December 17, 2012. The agreement has an accordion feature enabling the credit facility to be increased by an additional $100 million, subject to certain conditions. Outstanding borrowings under the agreement bear interest at rates based on the prime, Federal Funds, LIBOR, or negotiated rates as outlined in the agreement. Interest is payable periodically throughout the period a borrowing is outstanding. As of May 30, 2009 the only usage against this facility is related to outstanding standby letters of credit totaling approximately $13.1 million. Usage against the previous facility at May 31, 2008 related to outstanding standby letters of credit and totaled $13.1 million.

Subsequent to May 30, 2009, the company announced that the unsecured revolving credit facility had been renegotiated. The terms of the new agreement provided for $150 million of borrowings, with no accordion feature, and will expire in June 2012.

10. Long-Term Debt

(In millions) May 30,
2009
May 31,
2008
Series A senior notes, 5.94%, due January 3, 2015   $ 50.0   $ 50.0  
Series B senior notes, 6.42%, due January 3, 2018    150.0    150.0  
Debt securities, 7.125%, due March 15, 2011 (1)    175.0    175.0  
Fair value of interest rate swap arrangements    2.4    0.5  
Subtotal    377.4    375.5  
Less: current portion(1)    (75.0 )  
Total   $ 302.4   $ 375.5  

(1) Subsequent to May 30, 2009, the company announced and completed a tender offer to repurchase $75 million of the outstanding 7.125% debt securities by means of an auction. The repurchase was completed on July 23, 2009

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On January 3, 2008, the company issued $200 million Series A and Series B senior unsecured notes, each having interest payments that are due semi-annually. The $200 million of proceeds from the notes were used for an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) of the company’s common stock. The ASR was completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 with the delivery of 2.1 million shares, which, with the delivery of 5.4 million shares in fiscal 2008, brought the total shares repurchased to 7.5 million.

Provisions of the senior notes and the unsecured senior revolving credit facility restrict, without prior consent, the company’s borrowings, capital leases, and the sale of certain assets. In addition, the company has agreed to maintain certain financial performance ratios, which are based on earnings before taxes, interest expense, depreciation and amortization. At May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, the company was in compliance with all of these restrictions and performance ratios.

Annual maturities of long-term debt for the five fiscal years subsequent to May 30, 2009, are as follows.

(In millions)
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Thereafter
$   75.0
$ 100.0
$    —
$    —
$    —
$ 200.0

The above amounts exclude the recorded fair value of the company’s interest rate swap arrangements, which had a combined fair value of positive $2.4 million as of May 30, 2009. Additional information regarding interest rate swaps is provided in Note 17.

11. Operating Leases The company leases real property and equipment under agreements that expire on various dates. Certain leases contain renewal provisions and generally require the company to pay utilities, insurance, taxes, and other operating expenses.

Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have non-cancelable lease terms as of May 30, 2009, are as follows.

(In millions)
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Thereafter
$16.3
$14.0
$10.5
  $7.9
  $5.3
  $7.8

Total rental expense charged to operations was $27.8 million, $25.9 million, and $24.8 million, in fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Substantially all such rental expense represented the minimum rental payments under operating leases.

12. Employee Benefit Plans

The company maintains plans that provide retirement benefits for substantially all employees. Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Medical and Life Insurance The principal domestic retirement plan is a defined-benefit plan with benefits determined by a cash balance calculation. Benefits under this plan are based upon an employee’s years of service and earnings. The company also offers certain employees retirement benefits under other domestic defined benefit plans, one of which covers employees subject to a collective bargaining arrangement. The company provides healthcare and life insurance benefits to employees who retired from service on or before a qualifying date in 1998 and 2008, respectively. As of the respective qualifying dates, the company discontinued offering post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits to future retirees. Benefits to qualifying retirees under this plan are based on the employee’s years of service and age at the date of retirement.

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In addition to the domestic pension and retiree healthcare and life insurance plans, one of the company’s wholly owned foreign subsidiaries has a defined-benefit pension plan based upon an average final pay benefit calculation.

The measurement date for the company’s principal domestic and international pension plans as well as its post-retirement medical and life insurance plan is the last day of the fiscal year.

Benefit Obligations and Funded Status
The following table presents, for the fiscal years noted, a summary of the changes in the projected benefit obligation, plan assets, and funded status of the company’s domestic and international pension plans and post-retirement plan.

Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
2009 2008 2009 2008
(In millions) Domestic International Domestic International
Change in benefit obligation:                            
Benefit obligation at beginning of year   $ 267.9   $ 88.7   $ 274.5   $ 77.9   $ 13.4   $ 17.3  
Service cost    8.4    2.1    8.1    2.3          
Interest cost    18.3    4.6    16.1    4.3    0.8    0.9  
Amendments            1.7              
Curtailment cost    (0.2 )                    
Termination benefits    0.3    0.2                  
Foreign exchange impact        (16.9 )      (0.1 )        
Actuarial (gain)/loss    14.0    (11.6 )  (15.9 )  4.9    0.4    (3.6 )
Employee contributions        0.4        0.5          
Benefits paid    (27.5 )  (1.5 )  (16.6 )  (1.1 )  (1.0 )  (1.2 )
Benefit obligation at end of year   $ 281.2   $ 66.0   $ 267.9   $ 88.7   $ 13.6   $ 13.4  


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Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
2009 2008 2009 2008
(In millions) Domestic International Domestic International
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning   $ 263.2   $ 70.9   $ 284.3   $ 72.8   $   $  
  of year  
Actual return on plan assets    (62.1 )  (8.8 )  (4.9 )  (4.9 )        
Foreign exchange impact        (13.0 )                
Employer contributions    1.7    2.6    0.4    3.6    1.0    1.2  
Employee contributions        0.4        0.5          
Benefits paid    (27.5 )  (1.5 )  (16.6 )  (1.1 )  (1.0 )  (1.2 )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year    175.3    50.6    263.2    70.9          
Under funded status at end of year   $ (105.9 ) $ (15.4 ) $ (4.7 ) $ (17.8 ) $ (13.6 ) $ (13.4 )

The components of the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows.

Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
2009 2008 2009 2008
(In millions) Domestic International Domestic International
Current liabilities   $ (0.1 ) $ $ (0.1 ) $ $ (1.4 ) $ (1.5 )
Non-current liabilities    (105.8 )  (15.4 )  (4.6 )  (17.8 )  (12.2 )  (11.9 )
   
    $ (105. 9) $ (15.4 ) $ (4.7 ) $ (17.8 ) $ (13.6 ) $ (13.4 )

The accumulated benefit obligation for the company’s domestic pension benefit plans totaled $277.8 million and $264.1 million as of the end of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. For its international plans, these amounts totaled $59.3 million and $81.5 million as of the same dates, respectively.

The components of the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss before the effect of income taxes are as follows.

Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
2009 2008 2009 2008
(In millions) Domestic International Domestic International
Unrecognized net actuarial loss   $ 170.6   $ 22.6   $ 77.1   $ 26.3   $ 4.2   $ 4.0  
Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)    (8.4 )      (8.9 )      0.2    0.3  
Unrecognized transition amount        0.1        0.1          
   
    $ 162.2   $ 22.7   $ 68.2   $ 26.4   $ 4.4   $ 4.3  


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Components of Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Other Changes Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income The following table is a summary of the annual cost of the company’s pension and post-retirement plans. Net periodic benefit cost

Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
(In millions) 2009 2008 2007 2009 2008 2007
Domestic:                            
Service cost   $ 8.4   $ 8.1   $ 8.8   $ $ $
Interest cost    18.3    16.1    16.0    0.8    0.9    1.0  
Expected return on plan assets    (22.2 )  (21.7 )  (21.2 )      
Plan amendment      0.9          
Net amortization    2.5    3.2    2.5    0.2    0.4    0.8  
Net periodic benefit cost   $ 7.0   $ 6.6   $ 6.1   $ 1.0   $ 1.3   $ 1.8  
   
International:  
Service cost   $ 2.1   $ 2.3   $ 2.2  
Interest cost    4.6    4.3    3.7  
Expected return on plan assets    (4.6 )  (5.1 )  (4.3 )
Net amortization    1.0    0.6    1.6  
Net periodic benefit cost   $ 3.1   $ 2.1   $ 3.2  
   
Total net periodic benefit cost   $ 10.1   $ 8.7   $ 9.3   $ 1.0   $ 1.3   $ 1.8  

The net prior service credit and actuarial loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during fiscal 2010 is $(2.2) million ($(1.4) million, net of tax) and $6.7 million ($4.3 million, net of tax), respectively.

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Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss

Pension Benefits Post-Retirement Benefits
(In millions) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Domestic:                    
Prior service cost   $ $ 0.8   $ $
Net actuarial (gain) loss    98.2    10.8    0.4    (3.6 )
One time termination benefits and curtailment costs (1)    (1.8 )            
Net amortization    (2.5 )  (3.2 )  (0.2 )  (0.4 )
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income)loss    93.9    8.4    0.2    (4.0 )
   
Total recognized net pension (income) cost and  
     other comprehensive (income) loss   $ 100.9   $ 15.0   $ 1.2   $ (2.7 )
   
International  
Net actuarial loss   $ 1.9   $ 14.0            
Net amortization    (0.8 )  (0.6 )
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss    1.1    13.4            
Total recognized net pension cost and  
    other comprehensive loss   $ 4.2   $ 15.5            
   
Total:  
Total recognized in other comprehensive (income)loss   $ 95.0   $ 21.8   $ 0.2   $ (4.0 )
Total recognized net pension (income) cost and  
    Other comprehensive (income) loss   $ 105.1   $ 30.5   $ 1.2   $ (2.7 )

(1)One time termination benefits and curtailment costs were recognized in fiscal 2009 for the announced shutdown of the company’s IMT facility

Actuarial Assumptions
The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation amounts as of the end of the fiscal year for the company’s pension plans and post-retirement plans are as follows.

2009 2008 2007
U.S. International U.S. International U.S. International
(Percentages)                            
Discount rate    6.75    6.50    6.75    6.25    6.00    5.50  
Compensation increase rate    4.50    4.80    4.50    5.00    4.50    4.50  

The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost are established at the end of the previous fiscal year for the subsequent fiscal years as follows.

2009 2008 2007
U.S. International U.S. International U.S. International
(Percentages)                            
Discount rate    6.75    6.25    6.00    5.50    6.50    5.00  
Compensation increase rate    4.50    5.00    4.50    4.50    4.50    4.25  
Expected return on plan assets    8.50    7.30    8.50    7.75    8.50    7.75  

In calculating post-retirement benefit obligations, a 7.8 percent annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits was assumed for 2009, decreasing gradually to 4.5 percent by 2029 and remaining at that level thereafter. For purposes of calculating post-retirement benefit costs, a 9.3 percent annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits was assumed for 2008, decreasing gradually to 5.0 percent by 2014 and remaining at that level thereafter.

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Assumed health care cost-trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for retiree health care costs. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost-trend rates would have the following effects:

(In millions) 1 Percent Increase 1 Percent Decrease
Effect on total fiscal 2009 service and interest cost components     $ $  
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation at May 30, 2009   $ 0.6   $ (0.6 )

Plan Assets and Investment Strategies
The company’s primary domestic and international plan assets consist mainly of listed common stocks, mutual funds, fixed income obligations and cash. The company’s primary objective for invested pension plan assets is to provide for sufficient long-term growth and liquidity to satisfy all of its benefit obligations over time. Accordingly, the company has developed an investment strategy that it believes maximizes the probability of meeting this overall objective. This strategy includes the development of a target investment allocation by asset category in order to provide guidelines for making investment decisions. This target allocation emphasizes the long-term characteristics of individual asset classes as well as the diversification among multiple asset classes. In developing its strategy, the company considered the need to balance the varying risks associated with each asset class with the long-term nature of its benefit obligations. The company’s strategy places an emphasis on the philosophy that, over the long-term, equities will outperform fixed income investments. Accordingly, the majority of plan assets are managed within various forms of equity investments. However, in the past 12 months we have systematically adopted an approach to de-risk the plan and increase investments in fixed income assets.

The company utilizes independent investment managers to assist with investment decisions within the overall guidelines of the investment strategy.

The asset allocation for the company’s primary pension plans at the end of fiscal 2009 and 2008 and the target allocation by asset category are as follows:

Primary Domestic Plan

Targeted Asset Allocation Percentage Actual Percentage of
Plan Assets at Year end
Asset Category 2009 2008
Equities   54 - 66    56.2    73.8  
Fixed Income   35 - 43    42.2    25.7  
Other (1)   0 - 5    1.6    0.5  
    Total        100.0  100.0

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Primary International Plan

Targeted Asset Allocation Percentage Actual Percentage of
Plan Assets at Year end
Asset Category 2009 2008
Equities   54 - 66    60.9    63.8  
Fixed Income   35 - 43    27.4    26.2  
Other (1)   0 - 5    11.7    10.0  
    Total        100.0  100.0

(1)Primarily includes cash and equivalents.

Cash Flows
The company is currently determining what voluntary pension plan contributions, if any, will be made in fiscal 2010. Actual contributions will be dependent upon investment returns, changes in pension obligations, and other economic and regulatory factors.

In August 2006, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “Act”) was signed into law. Beginning in 2008, the Act replaces prevailing statutory minimum funding requirements, and will generally require contributions to the company’s U.S. defined benefit pension plans in amounts necessary to fund the cost of currently-accruing benefits, and to fully-fund any unfunded accrued benefits over a period of seven years. In the long-term, the new law is not expected to materially change aggregate contributions required to be made to the U.S. pension plans, although such contributions may vary on a year to year basis from what otherwise would have been required. The extent of these variations is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s financial position or cash flows.

The following represents a summary of the benefits expected to be paid by the company in future fiscal years. These expected benefits were estimated based on the same actuarial valuation assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at May 30, 2009.

(In millions) Benefits Pension Domestic Benefits Pension International Post-Retirement Benefits
2010     $ 23.8   $ 0.7   $ 1.4  
2011    23.8    0.9    1.4  
2012    25.2    1.3    1.4  
2013    25.4    1.5    1.4  
2014    20.3    1.7    1.3  
2015-2019    101.4    11.0    6.0  


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Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan
Herman Miller, Inc. has a trusteed profit sharing plan that includes substantially all domestic employees. These employees are eligible to begin participating on their date of hire. The plan provides for discretionary contributions, payable in the company’s common stock, of not more than 6.0 percent of employees’ wages based on the company’s financial performance. The cost of the company’s profit sharing contributions charged against operations in fiscal 2009 was negligible and in 2008 and 2007 were $11.0 million and $12.2 million, respectively.

The company has traditionally matched 50 percent of employee contributions to their 401(k) accounts up to 6.0 percent of their pay. However, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the company announced an indefinite suspension of the 401(k) matching program due to current economic conditions. The company will continue to evaluate its cost structure to determine when and if the current policy will change. The cost of the company’s matching contributions charged against operations was approximately $4.7 million, $6.8 million, and $6.6 million, in fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

13. Common Stock and Per Share InformationThe following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the calculations of basic and diluted EPS for each of the last three fiscal years.

(In millions, except shares) 2009 2008 2007
Numerators:                
   Numerators for both basic and diluted EPS, net  
     earnings   $ 68.0   $ 152.3   $ 129.1  
   
Denominators:  
   Denominators for basic EPS, weighted-average  
     common shares outstanding    54,138,570    59,109,284    64,318,034  
   Potentially dilutive shares resulting from stock  
     plans    396,921    475,632    743,236  
Denominator for diluted EPS    54,535,491    59,584,916    65,061,270  

Options to purchase 3,029,844 shares, 1,295,762 shares, and 710,516 shares of common stock have not been included in the denominator for the computation of diluted earnings per share for the fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive.

14. Stock-Based Compensation

The company utilizes equity-based compensation incentives as a component of its employee and non-employee director and officer compensation philosophy. Currently, these incentives consist principally of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance share units. The company also offers a discounted stock purchase plan for its domestic and international employees. The company issues shares in connection with its share-based compensation plans from authorized, but unissued, shares.

Valuation and Expense Information
In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision of SFAS No. 123, “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123(R)), which supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25). SFAS 123(R) generally requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on their grant-date fair market value and to recognize this cost over the requisite service period. The company adopted SFAS 123(R) as of the beginning of its 2007 fiscal year, using the modified prospective method. Under this method, compensation expense recognized by the company, includes: (a) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of June 3, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimate in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and (b) compensation cost for all stock-based payments granted subsequent to June 3, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with SFAS 123(R). Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the company accounted for its stock-based compensation plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB 25 and related Interpretations.

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Certain of the company’s equity-based compensation awards contain provisions that allow for continued vesting into retirement. Under SFAS 123(R), a stock-based award is considered fully vested for expense attribution purposes when the employee’s retention of the award is no longer contingent on providing subsequent service.

Pre-tax compensation expense for all types of stock-based programs was $3.2 million, $6.2 million, and $4.9 million for the fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007, respectively. The company classifies pre-tax stock-based compensation expense primarily within “Operating Expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Related expenses charged to “Cost of Sales” are not material. The corresponding income tax benefit recognized for the fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007, was $1.0 million, $2.1 million, and $1.6 million, respectively.

As of May 30, 2009, total pre-tax stock-based compensation cost not yet recognized related to non-vested awards was approximately $5.2 million. The weighted-average period over which this amount is expected to be recognized is 1.46 years.

The company estimated the fair value of employee stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model. In determining these values, the following weighted-average assumptions were used for the options granted during the fiscal years indicated.

2009 2008 2007
Risk-free interest rates (1)      1.96-3.55 %  3.13-4.82 %  4.33-4.95 %
Expected term of options (2)    5.5 year s  1.6-5.5 ye ars  1.7-5.0 ye ars
Expected volatility (3)    33%  28%  28%
Dividend yield (4)    1.4%  1.0%  1.0%
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of stock options:  
   Granted with exercise prices equal to the  
     fair market value of the stock on the  
     date of grant   $ 7.25   $ 9.55   $ 9.38  
   Granted with exercise prices greater than  
     the fair market value of the stock on the  
     date of grant   $ —   $ —   $ 7.48  
(1) Represents the U.S. Treasury yield over the same period as the expected option term.
(2) Represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Based on analysis of historical option exercise activity, the company has determined that all employee groups exhibit similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior.
(3) Amount is determined based on analysis of historical price volatility of the company’s common stock over a period equal to the expected term of the options. The company also utilizes a market-based or “implied volatility” measure, on exchange-traded options in the company’s common stock, as a reference in determining this assumption.
  (4) Represents the company’s estimated cash dividend yield over the expected term of options.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, has been reduced for estimated forfeitures, as it is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Forfeitures were estimated based on historical experience.

Employee Stock Purchase Program
Under the terms of the company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 4 million shares of authorized common stock were reserved for purchase by plan participants at 85.0 percent of the market price. The company recognized pre-tax compensation expense related to employee stock purchases of $0.4 million, $0.5 million, and $0.5 million for the fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and June 2, 2007, respectively.

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Stock Option Plans
The company has stock option plans under which options to purchase the company’s stock are granted to employees and non-employee directors and officers at a price not less than the market price of the company’s common stock on the date of grant. Under the current award program, all options become exercisable between one year and three years from date of grant and expire two to ten years from date of grant. The options are subject to graded vesting with the related compensation expense recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. At May 30, 2009, there were 6.0 million shares available for future options.

The following is a summary of the transactions under the company’s stock option plans.

Shares Under Option Weighted-Average Exercise Prices Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(In millions)
Outstanding at June 3, 2006      4,330,708   $ 25.80    3.88   $ 20.8  
     Granted at Market    94,205   $ 34.87  
     Granted>Market    385,286   $ 30.54  
     Exercised    (1,886,326 ) $ 25.01  
     Forfeited or Expired    (63,751 ) $ 29.72  
   
Outstanding at June 2, 2007    2,860,122   $ 27.18    4.82   $ 26.8  
     Granted at Market    317,902   $ 31.35  
     Exercised    (125,301 ) $ 24.03  
     Forfeited or Expired    (58,121 ) $ 30.84  
   
Outstanding at May 31, 2008    2,994,602   $ 27.68    4.36   $ 1.5  
     Granted at Market    509,100   $ 23.07  
     Exercised    (23,050 ) $ 24.29  
     Forfeited or Expired    (656,440 ) $ 27.86  
   
Outstanding at May 30, 2009    2,824,212   $ 26.83    4.86   $ 0.2  
Ending vested + Expected to vest    2,799,946   $ 26.85    4.83   $ 0.2  
Exercisable at end of period    2,095,761   $ 27.20    3.52   $  

Pre-tax compensation expense related to these options totaled $2.9 million, $3.0 million, and $2.5 million for fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

The total pre-tax intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $0.1 million, $0.9 million, and $19.8 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the company’s closing stock price as of the end of the period presented, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised in-the-money options as of that date.

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The following is a summary of stock options outstanding at May 30, 2009.

Outstanding Stock Options Exercisable Stock Options
Range of Exercise Price Shares Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Weighted-Average Exercise Prices Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Prices
$12.33-$25.10      1,045,208    3.17   $ 22.65    950,664   $ 23.68  
$25.13-$30.54    1,202,903    5.63   $ 27.48    718,983   $ 28.13  
$31.84-$38.13    576,101    6.33   $ 33.07    426,114   $ 33.50  
    2,824,212    4.86   $ 26.83    2,095,761   $ 27.20  

Restricted Stock Grants
From time to time, the company grants restricted common stock to certain key employees. Shares are granted in the name of the employee, who has all rights of a shareholder, subject to certain restrictions on transferability and a risk of forfeiture. The grants are subject to either cliff-based or graded vesting over a period not to exceed five years, subject to forfeiture if the employee ceases to be employed by the company for certain reasons. After the vesting period, the risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transferability lapse. The company recognizes the related compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. A summary of shares subject to restrictions follows.

2009 2008 2007
Shares Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Shares Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Shares Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding, at beginning of year      116,074   $ 26.59    106,001   $ 26.00    140,484   $ 25.12  
  Granted    4,500   $ 20.04    12,922   $ 31.13    5,050   $ 33.68  
  Vested    (2,814 ) $ 29.02    (2,849 ) $ 25.21    (39,533 ) $ 23.87  
  Forfeited or Expired    (900 ) $ 30.06       $       $  
Outstanding, at end of year    116,860   $ 26.25    116,074   $ 26.59    106,001   $ 26.00  

Pre-tax compensation expense related to these awards totaled $0.7 million for each of the fiscal years ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008 and June 2, 2007, respectively. The weighted-average remaining recognition period of the outstanding restricted shares at May 30, 2009, was 0.46 years. The fair value on the dates of vesting for shares that vested during the twelve months ended May 30, 2009, was $0.1 million.

Restricted Stock Units
The company has previously granted restricted stock units to certain key employees. This program provided that the actual number of restricted stock units awarded was tied in part to the company’s annual financial performance for the year on which the grant is based. The awards generally cliff-vest after a five-year service period, with prorated vesting under certain circumstances and continued vesting into retirement. Each restricted stock unit represents one equivalent share of the company’s common stock to be awarded, free of restrictions, after the vesting period. Compensation expense related to these awards is recognized over the requisite service period, which includes any applicable performance period. Dividend equivalent awards are granted quarterly. The following is a summary of restricted stock unit transactions for the fiscal years indicated.

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2009 2008 2007
Share Units Aggregate Intrinsic Value in Millions Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Share Units Aggregate Intrinsic Value in Millions Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Share Units Aggregate Intrinsic Value in Millions Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
Outstanding, at                                        
beginning of year    168,374   $ 4.1    2.69    177,474   $ 6.5    3.68    80,062   $ 2.4    4.07  
       Granted    3,438            2,195          109,318
       Forfeited    (9,927 )          (8,404 )          (10,379 )
       Released    (14,074 )          (2,891 )          (1,527 )
Outstanding, at end  
of year    147,811   $ 2.0    1.69    168,374   $ 4.1    2.69    177,474   $ 6.5    3.68  
Ending vested + expected to vest    134,402   $ 1.9    1.69    143,554   $ 3.6    2.69    154,808   $ 5.7    3.68  

Pre-tax compensation expense related to restricted stock units totaled $0.6 million, $0.6 million, and $1.1 million for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Performance Share Units
The company grants performance share units to certain key employees. No performance share units were granted prior to fiscal 2008. The number of units initially awarded is based on the value of a portion of the participant’s long-term incentive compensation, divided by the fair value of the company’s common stock on the date of grant. Each unit represents one equivalent share of the company’s common stock. The number of common shares ultimately issued in connection with these performance share units is determined based on the company’s financial performance over the related three-year service period. Compensation expense is determined based on the grant-date fair value and the number of common shares projected to be issued, and is recognized over the requisite service period. The following is a summary of performance share unit transactions for the fiscal years indicated.

2009 2008
Share Units Aggregate Intrinsic Value in Millions Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Share Units Aggregate Intrinsic Value in Millions Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)
Outstanding, at                            
beginning of year    93,023   $ 2.3    2.15       $      
       Granted    101,426             95,530
       Forfeited    (11,472 )           (2,507 )
Outstanding, at end  
of year    182,977   $    1.65    93,023   $ 2.3    2.15  
Ending vested +  
expected to vest       $    1.65    85,434   $ 2.1    2.15  

Pre-tax compensation expense (income) related to performance stock units totaled $(1.4) million and $1.4 million for fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively. The recognition of income during fiscal 2009 was driven by the reversal of expense for 2007 performance stock awards based on the company’s recent financial performance, due to these awards no longer being considered probable of being earned.

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Deferred Compensation Plan
In 2008 the company discontinued use of the existing Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for new contributions and established the Herman Miller, Inc. Executive Equalization Retirement Plan.

The Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan allowed selected employees to defer part or all of their executive incentive cash bonus payment each year. The company could make a matching contribution of 30 percent of the executive’s contribution up to 50 percent of the deferred cash incentive bonus. The company’s matching contribution vested at the rate of 33 1/3 percent annually. In accordance with the terms of the plan, the executive deferral and company matching contribution were placed in a “Rabbi” trust, which invested solely in the company’s common stock. Rabbi trust arrangements offer the executive a degree of assurance for ultimate payment of benefits without causing constructive receipt for income tax purposes. Distributions to the executive from the Rabbi trust can only be made in the form of the company’s common stock. The assets in the Rabbi trust remain subject to the claims of creditors of the company and are not the property of the executive and are, therefore, included as a separate component of shareholders’ equity under the caption Key Executive Deferred Compensation.

The Herman Miller, Inc. Executive Equalization Retirement Plan is a supplemental deferred compensation plan and was made available for salary deferrals and company contributions beginning in January 2008. The plan is available to a select group of management or highly compensated employees who are selected for participation by the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The plan allows participants to defer up to 50 percent of their base salary and 100 percent of their incentive cash bonus. Company contributions to the plan “mirror” the amounts the company would have contributed to the various qualified retirement plans had the employee’s compensation not been above the IRS statutory ceiling ($230,000 in 2008). Herman Miller does not guarantee a rate of return for these funds. Instead, participants make investment elections for their deferrals and company contributions. Investment options are the same as those available under the Herman Miller Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan except for company stock which is not an investment option under this plan.

In accordance with the terms of the Executive Equalization Plan, the salary and bonus deferrals and company contributions have been placed in a Rabbi trust. The assets in the Rabbi trust remain subject to the claims of creditors of the company and are not the property of the participant and are, therefore, included as an asset on the company’s balance sheet.

Director Fees

Company directors may elect to receive their director fees in one or more of the following forms: cash, deferred compensation in the form of shares, unrestricted company stock at the market value at the date of election, or stock options that vest in one year and expire in ten years. The exercise price of the stock options granted may not be less than the market price of the company’s common stock on the date of grant. Under the plan, the Board members received the following in the fiscal years indicated.

2009 2008 2007
Options      94,544    21,746    9,494  
Shares of common stock    30,004    16,086    5,637  
Shares through the deferred compensation program        4,334    6,529  


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15. Income Taxes

The components of earnings before income taxes and minority interest are as follows.

(In millions) 2009 2008 2007
Domestic     $ 78.4   $ 176.1   $ 149.9  
Foreign    20.5    54.3    37.1  
Total   $ 98.9   $ 230.4   $ 187.0  

The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following.

(In millions) 2009 2008 2007
Current: Domestic - Federal     $ 18.7   $ 62.7   $ 38.7  
         Domestic - State    1.7    5.0    3.7  
         Foreign    7.5    21.1    12.3  
Subtotal    27.9    88.8    54.7  
Deferred: Domestic - Federal    3.6    (7.6 )  1.6  
         Domestic - State    (0.3 )  (0.3 )  0.9  
         Foreign    (0.2 )  (2.7 )  0.7  
Subtotal    3.1    (10.6 )  3.2  
Total income tax provision   $ 31.0   $ 78.2   $ 57.9  

The following table represents a reconciliation of income taxes at the United States statutory rate with the effective tax rate as follows.

(In millions) 2009 2008 2007
Income taxes computed at the United States                
   Statutory rate of 35%   $ 34.6   $ 80.7   $ 65.5  
   
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:  
     Manufacturing deduction under the American Jobs  
       Creation Act of 2004    (1.4 )  (3.4 )  (1.2 )
     Other, net    (2.2 )  0.9    (6.4 )
Income tax expense   $ 31.0   $ 78.2   $ 57.9  
Effective tax rate    31.4%  33.9%  31.0%

In fiscal 2007, the company was granted a tax holiday from the Ningbo Economic and Technological Development Commission in China. This agreement provides, starting with the first year of cumulative profits, for the company to be taxed at reduced rate for five years. The company’s Ningbo, China operations started the first year of the tax holiday as of January 1, 2008.

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The tax effects and types of temporary differences that give rise to significant components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, are as follows.

(In millions) 2009 2008
Deferred tax assets:            
     Compensation-related accruals   $ 7.8   $ 9.9  
     Accrued pension and post-retirement benefit obligations    52.4    15.0  
     Accrued health claims    1.6    1.9  
     Reserves for inventory    1.7    2.3  
     Reserves for uncollectible accounts and notes receivable    2.3    2.6  
     Warranty    5.0    4.6  
     State and local tax net operating loss carryforwards    3.8    3.7  
     Federal net operating loss carryforward    0.4    0.6  
     Non-Qualified Stock Options    2.8    2.1  
     State credits    1.8    1.8  
     Foreign tax net operating loss carryforwards    5.4    5.2  
     Foreign tax credits    0.2    3.5  
     Other    6.5    7.8  
Subtotal    91.7    61.0  
     Valuation allowance    (9.2 )  (8.8 )
Total   $ 82.5   $ 52.2  
   
Deferred tax liabilities:  
     Book basis in property in excess of tax basis   $ (16.7 ) $ (15.8 )
     Prepaid employee benefits    (5.2 )  (5.9 )
     Other    (0.8 )  (1.5 )
Total   $ (22.7 ) $ (23.2 )

The future tax benefits of net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards and foreign tax credits are recognized to the extent that realization of these benefits is considered more likely than not. The company bases this determination on the expectation that related operations will be sufficiently profitable or various tax planning strategies will enable the company to utilize the NOL carryforwards and/or foreign tax credits. To the extent that available evidence about the future raises doubt about the realization of these tax benefits, a valuation allowance is established.

At May 30, 2009, the company had state and local tax NOL carryforwards of $59.4 million, the tax benefit of which is $3.8 million, which have various expiration periods from one to twenty years. The company also had state credits with a tax benefit of $1.8 million that expire in one to six years. For financial statement purposes, the NOL carryforwards and state tax credits have been recognized as deferred tax assets, subject to a valuation allowance of $4.2 million.

At May 30, 2009, the company had a federal NOL carryforward of $1.0 million, the tax benefit of which is $0.4 million, which expires in 17 years. For financial statement purposes, the NOL carryforward has been recognized as a deferred tax asset, subject to a valuation allowance of $0.4 million.

At May 30, 2009, the company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $19.0 million, the tax benefit of which is $5.4 million, which have expiration periods from two years to unlimited in term. The company also had foreign tax credits with a tax benefit of $0.2 million that expire in seven to ten years. For financial statement purposes, NOL carryforwards and foreign tax credits have been recognized as deferred tax assets, subject to a valuation allowance of $4.6 million.

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The company has not provided for United States income taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries totaling approximately $72.0 million. Recording deferred income taxes on these undistributed earnings is not required, because these earnings have been deemed to be permanently reinvested. These amounts would be subject to possible U.S. taxation only if remitted as dividends. The determination of the hypothetical amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign entities is not practicable.

The company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on June 3, 2007. As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the company recorded an increase in liabilities for income tax accruals associated with tax benefits claimed on tax returns but not recognized for financial statements purposes (“unrecognized tax benefits”). The components of the company’s unrecognized tax benefits are as follows:

(In millions)        
Balance at May 31, 2008   $ 7.2  
   
Increases related to current year income tax positions    1.1  
Increases related to prior year income tax positions    0.9  
Decreases related to prior year income tax positions    (1.2 )
Decreases related to lapse of applicable statue of limitations    (0.3 )
   
Balance at May 30, 2009   $ 7.7  

The company’s effective tax rate would have been affected by the $7.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits had this amount been recognized as a reduction to income tax expense.

The company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits through income tax expense in its statement of operations. Interest and penalties recognized in the company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 were $0.1 and $0.2, respectively. As of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, the company’s recorded liability for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits totaled $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

The company is subject to periodic audits by domestic and foreign tax authorities. Currently, the company is undergoing routine periodic audits in both domestic and foreign tax jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits could change in the next 12 months as a result of new positions that may be taken on income tax returns, settlement of tax positions and the closing of statutes of limitation. It is not expected that any of the changes will be material to the company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations.

For the majority of tax jurisdictions, the company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for fiscal years before 2005.

Subsequent to May 30, 2009, the company closed an audit with the Internal Revenue Service covering fiscal years 2005 through 2008.

16. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of the company’s financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. As of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, the company estimates that the fair value of notes receivable approximates the related carrying values. The company intends to hold these notes to maturity and has recorded allowances to reflect the expected net realizable value. As of May 30, 2009, the carrying value of the company’s long-term debt, including both current maturities and the fair value of the company’s interest rate swap arrangements, was $377.4 million with a corresponding fair market value of $365.6 million. At May 31, 2008, the carrying value and fair market value was $375.5 million and $370.1 million, respectively.

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17. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk

The company has periodically utilized financial instruments to manage its foreign currency volatility at the transactional level as well as its exposure to interest rate fluctuations.

Foreign Currency Contracts
In the normal course of business, the company enters into contracts denominated in foreign currencies. The principal foreign currencies in which the company conducts its business are the British pound sterling, euro, Canadian dollar, Japanese yen, Mexican peso, and Chinese renminbi. As of May 30, 2009, the company had outstanding, nine forward currency instruments designed to offset either net asset or net liability exposure that is denominated in non-functional currencies. Three forward contracts were placed in order to offset 4.8 million euro-denominated net asset exposure that is denominated in a non-functional currency and two forward contracts were placed in order to offset 2.9 million U.S. dollar-denominated net asset exposure that is denominated in a non-functional currency. Two forward contracts were placed to offset a 4.0 million U.S. dollar-denominated net liability exposure in China and Brazil and two forward contracts were placed to offset a 3.9 million British pound sterling-denominated net liability exposure in Japan and the United Kingdom. As of May 31, 2008, the company had outstanding, five forward currency instruments designed to offset either net asset or net liability exposure that is denominated in non-functional currencies. Three forward contracts were placed in order to offset 4.0 million euro-denominated net asset exposure that is denominated in a non-functional currency. Two forward contracts were placed to offset a 6.0 million U.S. dollar-denominated net liability exposure in China. At both May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008 the fair value of the forward currency instruments was $0.1 million.

Interest Rate Swaps
In November 2003, the company entered into two fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreements. The first which expires March 15, 2011, effectively converts $50.0 million of fixed-rate debt securities to a floating-rate basis. The fair value of this swap instrument, which is based upon expected LIBOR rates over the remaining term of the instrument, was approximately $2.4 million at May 30, 2009, and is reflected as an addition to long-term debt and an offsetting addition to non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of May 31, 2008, the fair value of approximately $0.5 million was reflected as an addition to long-term debt and an offsetting addition to non-current assets. The floating interest rate for this agreement is based on the six-month LIBOR, set in-arrears at the end of each semi-annual period, and is estimated to be approximately 3.5 percent and 5.6 percent at May 30, 2009, and May 31, 2008, respectively. The next scheduled interest rate reset date is in September 2009. The second agreement expired March 5, 2008.

As of May 31, 2008, a total of $50.0 million of the company’s outstanding debt was effectively converted to a variable-rate basis as a result of the remaining interest rate swap arrangement. This swap is a fair-value hedge and qualifies for hedge-accounting treatment using the “short-cut” method under the provisions of SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Under this accounting treatment, the change in the fair value of the interest rate swap is equal to the change in value of the related hedged debt and, as a result, there is no net effect on earnings. The agreement requires the company to pay floating-rate interest payments in return for receiving fixed-rate interest payments that coincide with the semi-annual payments to the debt holders at the same date. The periodic interest settlements, which occur at the same interval as the public debt securities, are recorded as interest expense.

The counterparty to the remaining swap instrument is a large financial institution which the company believes is of high-quality creditworthiness. While the company may be exposed to potential losses due to the credit risk of non-performance by this counterparty, such losses are not anticipated.

These swap arrangements effectively reduced interest expense by $1.2 million in fiscal 2009 and $0.4 million in fiscal 2008, and increased interest expense by $0.6 million in fiscal 2007.

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18. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

        The following table presents the adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities.

(In millions) 2009 2008 2007
Depreciation   $ 39.5   $ 41.1   $ 39.7  
Amortization    2.2    2.1    1.5  
Provision for losses on accounts receivable and notes  
     receivable    2.3    3.8    (0.6 )
Provision for losses on financial guarantees    (0.1 )  (0.1 )  (0.2 )
Minority interest    (0.1 )  (0.1 )  
Loss on sales of property and equipment    0.5    1.1    1.5  
Gain on disposal of owned dealers    (0.8 )  (0.9 )  
Deferred taxes    3.1    (10.6 )  3.2  
Pension and other post-retirement benefits    5.2    5.5    3.9  
Stock-based compensation    3.3    6.2    4.9  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation    0.3    (0.1 )  (6.7 )
Other liabilities    2.2    1.9    0.3  
Other    0.5    (0.4 )  (1.9 )
Changes in current assets and liabilities:  
     Decrease (increase) in assets:  
         Accounts receivable    53.5    (21.3 )  (14.8 )
         Inventories    15.3    2.6    (9.0 )
         Prepaid expenses and other    (4.8 )  (2.6 )  (6.3 )
     Increase (decrease) in liabilities:  
         Accounts payable    (37.8 )  6.1    (1.8 )
         Accrued liabilities    (60.6 )  27.0    (5.1 )
     Total changes in current assets and liabilities    (34.4 )  11.8    (37.0 )
Total adjustments   $ 23.7   $ 61.3   $ 8.6  

Cash payments for interest and income taxes were as follows.

(In millions) 2009 2008 2007
Interest paid   $ 24.1   $ 13.1   $ 13.5  
Income taxes paid, net of cash received   $ 70.4   $ 75.7   $ 57.6  


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19. Guarantees, Indemnifications, and Contingencies

Product Warranties
The company provides warranty coverage to the end-user for parts and labor on products sold. The standard length of warranty is 12 years, however, this varies depending on the product classification. The company does not sell or otherwise issue warranties or warranty extensions as stand-alone products. Reserves have been established for various costs associated with the company’s warranty program. General warranty reserves are based on historical claims experience and other currently available information and are periodically adjusted for business levels and other factors. Specific reserves are established once an issue is identified with the amounts for such reserves based on the estimated cost of correction. Changes in the warranty reserve for the stated periods were as follows.

(In millions) 2009 2008
Accrual balance, beginning     $ 14.9   $ 14.6  
Accrual for warranty matters    13.8    15.2  
Settlements and adjustments    (13.3 )  (14.9 )
Accrual balance, ending   $ 15.4   $ 14.9  

Other Guarantees
The company has entered into a separate agreement to guarantee the debt of an independent contract furniture dealership in fiscal 2009. In accordance with the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of the Indebtedness of Others” (FIN 45), the company initially recorded an expense equal to the estimated fair values of this guarantee. The maximum financial exposure assumed by the company as a result of these arrangement(s) totaled $0.1 million and $0.4 million as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, respectively. Guarantees of $0.1 million and $0.3 million are reflected under the caption “Other Liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, respectively.

The company is periodically required to provide performance bonds in order to conduct business with certain customers. These arrangements are common and generally have terms ranging between one and three years. The bonds are required to provide assurances to customers that the products and services they have purchased will be installed and/or provided properly and without damage to their facilities. The performance bonds are provided by various bonding agencies and the company is ultimately liable for claims that may occur against them. As of May 30, 2009, the company had a maximum financial exposure related to performance bonds of approximately $11.6 million. The company has no history of claims, nor is it aware of circumstances that would require it to perform under any of these arrangements and believes that the resolution of any claims that might arise in the future, either individually or in the aggregate, would not materially affect the company’s financial statements. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008.

The company periodically enters into agreements in the normal course of business, which may include indemnification clauses regarding patent/trademark infringement and service losses. Service losses represent all direct or consequential loss, liability, damages, costs and expenses incurred by the customer or others resulting from services rendered by the company, the dealer, or certain sub-contractors due to a proven negligent act. The company has no history of claims, nor is it aware of circumstances that would require it to perform under these arrangements and believes that the resolution of any claims that might arise in the future, either individually or in the aggregate, would not materially affect the company’s financial statements. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008.

The company has entered into standby letter of credit arrangements for the purpose of protecting various insurance companies against default on the payment of certain premiums and claims. A majority of these arrangements are related to the company’s wholly-owned captive insurance company. As of May 30, 2009, the company had a maximum financial exposure from these insurance-related standby letters of credit of approximately $13.1 million. The company has no history of claims, nor is it aware of circumstances that would require it to perform under any of these arrangements and believes that the resolution of any claims that might arise in the future, either individually or in the aggregate, would not materially affect the company’s financial statements. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008.

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Contingencies
The company leases a facility in the United Kingdom under an agreement that expires in June 2011. Under the terms of the lease, the company is required to perform the maintenance and repairs necessary to address the general dilapidation of the facility over the lease term. The ultimate cost of this provision to the company is dependent on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the future use of the facility by the lessor and whether the company chooses and is permitted to renew the lease term. The company has estimated the cost of these maintenance and repairs to be between $0 and $3 million, depending on the outcome of future plans and negotiations. Based on existing circumstances, it is estimated that these costs will most likely approximate $1.0 million, as of May 30, 2009, and was estimated to be $1.0 million as of May 31, 2008. As a result, these amounts have been recorded as a liability reflected under the caption “Other Liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The company has a lease obligation in the United Kingdom until May 2014 for a facility that it previously exited. The company believes it will be able to assign or sublet the lease for the majority of the remaining lease term to another tenant at current market rates. However, current market rates for comparable office space are lower than the rental payments owed under the lease agreement. As such, the company would remain liable to pay the difference. As a result, the estimated liability of $1.6 million and $2.0 million is reflected under the caption “Other Liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, respectively.

The company, for a number of years, has sold various products to the United States Government under General Services Administration (“GSA”) multiple award schedule contracts. Under the terms of these contracts, the GSA is permitted to audit the company’s compliance with the GSA contracts. The company has occasionally noted errors in complying with contract provisions. From time to time the company has notified the GSA of known instances of non-compliance (whether favorable or unfavorable to the GSA) once such circumstances are identified and investigated. The company does not believe that any of the errors brought to the GSA’s attention will adversely affect its relationship with the GSA. Currently there are no GSA post-award audits either scheduled or in process. Management does not expect resolution of potential future audits to have a material adverse effect on the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

The company is also involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such proceedings and litigation currently pending will not materially affect the company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

20. Operating Segments

The company is comprised of two primary operating segments as defined by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information;” North American Furniture Solutions and non-North American Furniture Solutions.

The North American Furniture Solutions segment includes the operations associated with the design, manufacture, and sale of furniture products for work-related settings, including office and healthcare environments, throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The business associated with the company’s owned contract furniture dealers is also included in the North American Furniture Solutions segment. The non-North American Furniture Solutions segment includes the operations associated with the design, manufacture, and sale of furniture products, primarily for work-related settings, outside of North America.

The company also reports an “Other” category consisting primarily of its North American Home and start-up businesses and certain unallocated corporate expenses. North American Home includes the operations associated with the design, manufacture and sale of furniture products for residential settings in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The start-up businesses are discrete operations, such as Convia, Inc., or activities aimed at developing innovative products to serve current and new markets.

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The performance of the operating segments is evaluated by the company’s management using various financial measures. The following is a summary of certain key financial measures for the respective fiscal years indicated.

(In millions) 2009 2008 2007
Net Sales:
     North American Furniture Solutions   $ 1,349.4   $ 1,636.3   $ 1,563.6  
     Non-North American Furniture Solutions    238.4    323.5    278.5  
     Other    42.2    52.3    76.8  
     Total   $ 1,630.0   $ 2,012.1   $ 1,918.9  
Depreciation and Amortization:  
     North American Furniture Solutions   $ 35.7   $ 36.5   $ 35.7  
     Non-North American Furniture Solutions    4.4    4.6    4.4  
     Other    1.6    2.1    1.1  
     Total   $ 41.7   $ 43.2   $ 41.2  
Operating Earnings:  
     North American Furniture Solutions   $ 133.0   $ 195.9   $ 161.7  
     Non-North American Furniture Solutions    15.1    47.3    28.9  
     Other    (25.3 )  3.4    7.5  
     Total   $ 122.8   $ 246.6   $ 198.1  
Capital Expenditures:  
     North American Furniture Solutions   $ 22.3   $ 33.2   $ 34.1  
     Non-North American Furniture Solutions    2.8    5.7    4.8  
     Other    0.2    1.6    2.4  
     Total   $ 25.3   $ 40.5   $ 41.3  
Total Assets:  
     North American Furniture Solutions   $ 628.7   $ 594.9   $ 507.0  
     Non-North American Furniture Solutions    110.7    159.2    133.1  
     Other    27.9    29.1    26.1  
     Total   $ 767.3   $ 783.2   $ 666.2  

The accounting policies of the reportable operating segments are the same as those of the company, which are disclosed in further detail within Note 1. Additionally, the company employs a methodology for allocating corporate costs and assets to the operating segments. The underlying objective of this methodology is to allocate corporate costs according to the relative “usage” of the underlying resources and to allocate corporate assets according to the relative expected benefit. The company has determined that allocation based on relative net sales is most appropriate for all expenses. The majority of corporate costs are allocated to the operating segments; however, certain costs that are generally considered the result of isolated business decisions are not subject to allocation and are evaluated separately from the rest of the regular ongoing business operations. The restructuring charges of $28.4 million in fiscal 2009 and $5.1 million in fiscal 2008 and discussed in Note 21 were allocated to the “Other” category.

The company’s product offerings consist primarily of office furniture systems, seating, freestanding furniture, storage and casegoods. These product offerings are marketed, distributed, and managed primarily as a group of similar products on an overall portfolio basis. The following is a summary of net sales by product category for the respective fiscal years indicated. Given that formal product line information is not available for the company as a whole, this summary is intended to represent a reasonable estimate of net sales by product category based on the best information available.

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(In millions) 2009 2008 2007
Net Sales:
   Systems   $ 511.6   $ 579.7   $ 565.2  
   Seating    361.1    489.1    481.7  
   Freestanding and Storage    260.3    295.9    288.0  
   International (1)    365.7    481.0    408.9  
   Other (2)    131.3    166.4    175.1  
Total   $ 1,630.0   $ 2,012.1   $ 1,918.9  

(1)The company has determined that the disclosure of international product line information is not practicable.
(2) “Other” primarily consists of miscellaneous or otherwise uncategorized product sales and service sales.

Sales by geographic area are based on the location of the customer. Long-lived assets consist of long-term assets of the company, excluding financial instruments and deferred tax assets. The following is a summary of geographic information for the respective fiscal years indicated. Individual foreign country information is not provided as none of the individual foreign countries in which we operate are considered material for separate disclosure based on quantitative and qualitative considerations.

(In millions) 2009 2008 2007
Net Sales:
     United States   $ 1,233.6   $ 1,531.1   $ 1,510.0  
     International    396.4    481.0    408.9  
Total   $ 1,630.0   $ 2,012.1   $ 1,918.9  
   
Long-lived assets:  
     United States   $ 162.4   $ 189.3   $ 194.2  
     International    24.9    30.6    28.5  
Total   $ 187.3   $ 219.9   $ 222.7  

It is estimated that no single dealer accounted for more than 4.0 percent of the company’s net sales in the fiscal year ended May 30, 2009. It is also estimated that the largest single end-user customer, the U.S. federal government, accounted for $167.2 million or approximately 10 percent of the company’s fiscal 2009 net sales. The 10 largest customers accounted for approximately 21 percent of net sales.

Approximately 7 percent of the company’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, most of whom are employees of its Integrated Metal Technology, Inc., and Herman Miller Limited (U.K.) subsidiaries.

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21. Restructuring Charges

2008 Action
During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the company executed a restructuring plan (“the 2008 Plan”) that reduced operating expenses in order to improve operating performance, profitability and further enhance productivity and efficiencies. The 2008 Plan eliminated approximately 150 full-time positions, primarily in West Michigan. In connection with the 2008 Plan, the company recorded $5.2 million of pre-tax charges and $(0.1) million of adjustments for employee severance and outplacement costs. These charges were reflected separately as restructuring expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The following is a summary of changes in restructuring accruals during fiscal 2008.

(In millions)
 
Severance and Outplacement Costs
Balance as of June 2, 2007     $  
Restructuring expenses    5.2  
Adjustments    (0.1 )
Cash payments    (4.5 )
Balance as of May 31, 2008   $ 0.6  
Cash payments    (0.6 )
Balance as of May 30, 2009   $  

2009 Action
During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the company executed a restructuring plan (“the 2009 Plan”) that reduced operating expenses in order to improve operating performance, profitability and further enhance productivity and efficiencies. The 2009 Plan eliminated approximately 1,400 salaried, hourly and temporary positions, primarily in the North American Furniture Solutions segment. A number of these employees were offered one-time termination benefits, including severance and outplacement services. Additionally, the company consolidated facilities and exited leased buildings. In connection with these actions, the company recognized $28.4 million of pre-tax charges.

In May 2009, the company announced a plan to consolidate manufacturing operations with the closure of its Integrated Metal Technologies (IMT) subsidiary in Spring Lake, Michigan. Under this plan, the company will retain existing production capacity and will enhance operational efficiency, with the majority of work and equipment moving to other newer, larger facilities in the area. Relocation is targeted to begin in August 2009, with the work completed and final closure targeted for spring 2010. The anticipated one-time cost for this action is $9 million to $12 million with approximately $2 million of these costs having been recognized in fiscal 2009. It is anticipated that the remainder of these costs will be incurred in fiscal 2010 and will be paid for with cash generated from operations.

The following is a summary of changes in restructuring accruals during fiscal 2009.

(In millions)
 
Total Plan Costs Severance and Outplacement Costs Leased Building Exit Costs
Balance as of May 31, 2008     $   $   $  
Restructuring expenses    28.4    25.0    3.4  
Cash payments    (16.8 )  (16.0 )  (0.8 )
Balance as of May 30, 2009   $ 11.6   $ 9.0   $ 2.6  

These charges have been reflected separately as restructuring expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refer to Note 20 for a discussion of the Plan’s impact on the company’s reportable operating segments.

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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Herman Miller, Inc.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The internal control over financial reporting at Herman Miller, Inc., is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our stakeholders that the financial statements of the company fairly represent its financial condition and results of operations.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of May 30, 2009, based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, our management believes the company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of May 30, 2009.

Ernst & Young LLP has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which appears on page 82.

/s/ Brian C. Walker
Brian C. Walker
Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Gregory J. Bylsma
Gregory J. Bylsma
Chief Financial Officer



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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Herman Miller, Inc.

We have audited Herman Miller Inc.‘s internal control over financial reporting as of May 30, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control–Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Herman Miller. Inc.‘s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Herman Miller, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 30, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the fiscal 2009 consolidated financial statements of Herman Miller, Inc., and our report dated July 20, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 20, 2009

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statements

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Herman Miller, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Herman Miller, Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended May 30, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Herman Miller, Inc. and subsidiaries at May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended May 30, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements, in fiscal 2008, the company changed its method of accounting for unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the required adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Herman Miller, Inc.‘s internal control over financial reporting as of May 30, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated July 20, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 20, 2009

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Item 9 CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

As defined in Item 304 of Regulation S-K, there have been no changes in, or disagreements with, accountants during the 24-month period ended May 30, 2009.

Item 9A CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of management, the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of May 30, 2009, and have concluded that as of that date, the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Refer to Item 8 for “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.”
(c) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in the company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter ended May 30, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B OTHER INFORMATION - None

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PART III

Item 10 DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons

Information relating to directors and director nominees of the registrant is contained under the caption “Director and Executive Officer Information” in the company’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to the company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the information within that section is incorporated by reference. Information relating to Executive Officers of the company is included in Part I hereof entitled “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

Information relating to compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is contained under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the company’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to the company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the information within that section is incorporated by reference.

Code of Ethics

The company has adopted a Code of Conduct that serves as the code of ethics for the executive officers and senior financial officers and as the code of business conduct for all directors and employees of the registrant. This code is made available free of charge through the “Investors” section of the company’s internet website at www.hermanmiller.com. Any amendments to, or waivers from, a provision of this code also will be posted to the company’s internet website.

Corporate Governance
Information relating to the identification of the audit committee, audit committee financial expert, and director nomination procedures of the registrant is contained under the captions “Board Committees” and “Corporate Governance and Board Matters – Director Nominations” in the company’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to the company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the information within these sections is incorporated by reference.

Item 11 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information relating to management remuneration is contained under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Summary Compensation Table,” “Grants of Plan-Based Awards,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested,” “Pension Benefits,” “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation,” “Potential Payments Upon Termination, Death, Disability, Retirement or Change in Control,” “Director Compensation,” “Director Compensation Table,” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the company’s definitive Proxy Statement, relating to the company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the information within these sections is incorporated by reference. The information under the caption “Compensation Committee Report” is incorporated by reference, however, such information is not deemed filed with the Commission.

Item 12 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The sections entitled “Voting Securities and Principal Shareholders,” “Director and Executive Officer Information,” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the definitive Proxy Statement, relating to the company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the information within these sections is incorporated by reference.

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Item 13 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Information concerning certain relationships and related transactions contained under the captions “Related Person Transactions,” and “Corporate Governance and Board Matters – Determination of Independence of Board Members” in the definitive Proxy Statement, relating to the company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the information within these sections is incorporated by reference.

Item 14 PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information concerning the payments to our principal accountants and the services provided by our principal accounting firm set forth under the caption “Disclosure of Fees Paid to Independent Auditors” in the Definitive Proxy Statement, relating to the company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and the information within that section is incorporated by reference.

-86-


PART IV

Item 15 EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

  1. Financial Statements

  The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the company are included in this Form 10-K on the pages noted:

Page Number in
this Form 10-K
Consolidated Statements of Operations      41  
Consolidated Balance Sheets    42  
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity    43  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows    45  
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements    46  
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting    81  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  
     on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting    82  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  
     on Financial Statements    83  

  2. Financial Statement Schedule

  The following financial statement schedule and related Report of Independent Public Accountants on the Financial Statement Schedule are included in this Form 10-K on the pages noted:

Page Number in
this Form 10-K
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on        
      Financial Statement Schedule     89  
       
Schedule II- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for the Years Ended May 30, 2009, May 31, 2008, and June 2, 2007      90  

  All other schedules required by Form 10-K Annual Report have been omitted because they were not applicable, included in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, or otherwise not required under instructions contained in Regulation S-X.

  3. Exhibits

  Reference is made to the Exhibit Index which is included on pages 91-94.

-87-


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

HERMAN MILLER, INC.

 
/s/ Brian C. Walker and /s/ Gregory J. Bylsma
By Brian C. Walker
(President and Chief Executive Officer)
  Gregory J. Bylsma
(Chief Financial Officer)

Date: July 28, 2009

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on, July 28, 2009 by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities indicated. Each Director of the Registrant, whose signature appears below, hereby appoints Brian C. Walker as his attorney-in-fact, to sign in his or her name and on his or her behalf, as a Director of the Registrant, and to file with the Commission any and all amendments to this Report on Form 10-K.

  /s/ Michael A. Volkema /s/ Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach
Michael A. Volkema
(Chairman of the Board)
  Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach
(Director)


  /s/ David O. Ulrich /s/ Mary Vermeer Andringa
David O. Ulrich
(Director)
  Mary Vermeer Andringa
(Director)


  /s/ Dorothy A. Terrell /s/ James R. Kackley
Dorothy A. Terrell
(Director)
  James R. Kackley
(Director)


  /s/ C. William Pollard /s/ John R. Hoke III
C. William Pollard
(Director)
  John R. Hoke III
(Director)


  /s/ Douglas D. French /s/ Paget L. Alves
Douglas D. French
(Director)
  Paget L. Alves
(Director)


  /s/ J. Barry Griswell /s/ Brian C. Walker
J. Barry Griswell
(Director)
  Brian C. Walker
(President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director)




-88-


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statement Schedule

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Herman Miller, Inc.

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Herman Miller, Inc. and subsidiaries as of May 30, 2009 and May 31, 2008, and for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended May 30, 2009, and have issued our report thereon dated July 20, 2009 (included elsewhere in this Form 10-K). Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a) of this Form 10-K. This schedule is the responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.

In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 20, 2009

-89-


SCHEDULE II___VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(In millions)
Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E
Description Balance at beginning of period Charges to expenses or net sales Acquired Reserves Deductions (3) Balance at end of of period
Year ended May 30, 2009:                        
     Accounts receivable allowances - uncollectible accounts(1)   $ 5.0   $ 3.6   $   $ (1.7 ) $ 6.9  
   
     Accounts Receivable allowances - credit memo(2)   $ 0.6   $ 2.8   $   $ (3.0 ) $ 0.4  
   
     Allowance for possible losses on notes receivable   $ 3.2   $ (1.5 ) $   $ (1.2 ) $ 0.5  
   
     Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset   $ 8.8   $ 0.9   $   $ (0.5 ) $ 9.2  
   
Year ended May 31, 2008:  
     Accounts receivable allowances - uncollectible accounts(1)   $ 4.3   $ 2.6   $   $ (1.9 ) $ 5.0  
   
     Accounts receivable allowances - credit memo (2)   $ 0.6   $ 8.2   $   $ (8.2 ) $ 0.6  
   
     Allowance for possible losses on notes receivable   $ 1.9   $ 1.1   $   $ 0.2   $ 3.2  
   
     Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset   $ 9.2   $ (0.4 ) $   $   $ 8.8  
   
Year ended June 2, 2007:  
     Accounts receivable allowances - uncollectible accounts(1)   $ 4.5   $ 0.1   $   $ (0.3 ) $ 4.3  
   
     Accounts Receivable allowances - credit memo(2)   $ 0.5   $ 8.3   $   $ (8.2 ) $ 0.6  
   
     Allowance for possible losses on notes receivable   $ 2.6   $ (0.7 ) $   $   $ 1.9  
   
     Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset   $ 13.6   $ (4.4 ) $   $   $ 9.2  

(1)Activity under the “Charges to expense or net sales” column are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.
(2)Activity under the “Charges to expenses or net sales” column are recorded within net sales.
(3)Represents amounts written off, net of recoveries and other adjustments. Includes effects of foreign translation.

-90-


EXHIBIT INDEX

  (3) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

  (a) Articles of Incorporation are incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(a) and 3(b) of the Registrant’s 1986 Form 10-K Annual Report.

  (b) Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, dated October 15, 1987, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(b) of the Registrant’s 1988 Form 10-K Annual Report.

  (c) Certificate of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, dated May 10, 1988, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3(c) of the Registrant’s 1988 Form 10-K Annual Report.

  (d) Amended and Restated Bylaws, dated July 21, 2008, are incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.3 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed July 24, 2008.

  (4) Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders

  (a) Specimen copy of Herman Miller, Inc., common stock is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(a) of Registrant’s 1981 Form 10-K Annual Report.

  (b) First Amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement dated February 11, 1999, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(c) of the Registrant’s 1999 Form 10-K Annual Report.

  (c) Second Amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement dated May 15, 2002, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(d) of the Registrant’s 2003 Form 10-K Annual Report.

  (d) Other instruments which define the rights of holders of long-term debt individually represent debt of less than 10% of total assets. In accordance with item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of regulation S-K, the Registrant agrees to furnish to the Commission copies of such agreements upon request.

  (f) Dividend Reinvestment Plan for Shareholders of Herman Miller, Inc., dated January 6, 1997, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4(d) of the Registrant’s 1997 Form 10-K Annual Report.

  (g) Shareholder Protection Rights Agreement dated as of June 30, 1999 is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1 of the Registrant’s 8-K/A filed July 16, 1999.

  (h) Note purchase agreement dated as of December 18, 2007 is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended December 1, 2007.

-91-


  (10) Material Contracts

  (a) Officers’ Supplemental Retirement Income Plan is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(f) of the Registrant’s 1986 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

  (b) Officers’ Salary Continuation Plan is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(g) of the Registrant’s 1982 Form 10-K Annual Report.*

  (c) Herman Miller, Inc., 1994 Key Executive Stock Purchase Assistance Plan, dated October 6, 1994, is incorporated by reference from Appendix C of the Registrant’s 1994 Proxy Statement. *

  (d) First Amendment to the Herman Miller, Inc., 1994 Key Executive Stock Purchase Assistance Plan, dated April 28, 1998, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(g) of the Registrant’s 1998 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

  (e) Second Amendment to the Herman Miller, Inc., 1994 Key Executive Stock Purchase Assistance Plan, dated October 1, 2001, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(e) of the Registrant’s 2003 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

  (f) Swap Transaction Confirmation dated November 19, 2003, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(v) of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended November 29, 2003.

  (g) Restricted Share Grant Agreement for Brian Walker dated July 27, 2004, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(x) of the Registrant’s 2004 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

  (h) Form of stock option agreement under the Herman Miller, Inc. 1994 Non-Employee Officer and Director Stock Option Plan, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(z) of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended August 28, 2004. *

  (i) Form of non-portable option agreement under the Herman Miller, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(aa) of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended August 28, 2004. *

  (j) Form of portable stock option agreement under the Herman Miller, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(ab) of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended August 28, 2004. *

  (k) Form of Herman Miller, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated June 20, 2005. *

  (l) Amendment to the Herman Miller, Inc. Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan dated July 25, 2005, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(z) of the Registrant’s 2005 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

-92-


  (m) Herman Miller, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan as amended, effective January 1, 2005, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(aa) of the Registrant’s 2005 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

  (n) Herman Miller, Inc. Amended and Restated Nonemployee Officer and Director Deferred Compensation Stock Purchase Plan, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(bb) of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended September 3, 2005. *

  (o) Form of Change in Control Agreement is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated January 23, 2006. *

  (p) Herman Miller, Inc. Amended and Restated Key Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, dated January 23, 2006, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated January 23, 2006. *

  (q) Fourth Amendment to the Herman Miller, Inc. Profit Sharing and 401(K) Plan dated May 1, 2006 is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(bb) of the Registrant’s 2007 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

  (r) Second Amendment to the Integrated Metal Technology, Inc. 401(K) Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees dated May 1, 2006 is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(cc) of the Registrant’s 2007 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

  (s) First Amendment to the Integrated Metal Technology, Inc. Bargaining Unit Retirement Plan dated May 1, 2006 is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(dd) of the Registrant’s 2007 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

  (t) Herman Miller, Inc. Executive Equalization Retirement Plan is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated July 25, 2007.*

  (u) Herman Miller, Inc. Executive Incentive Cash Bonus Plan dated April 24, 2006 is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(x) of the Registrant’s 2007 Form 10-K Annual Report. *

  (v) Second Amendment to the Integrated Metal Technology, Inc. Bargaining Unit Retirement Plan dated December 17, 2007 is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended December 1, 2007. *

  (w) Credit agreement dated as of December 18, 2007 among Herman Miller, Inc. and various lenders, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended December 1, 2007.

  (x) Herman Miller, Inc., Nonemployee Officer and Director Stock Option Plan (amended and restated) dated December 18, 2007, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended December 1, 2007. *

-93-


  (y) Third Amendment to the Integrated Metal Technology, Inc. Bargaining Unit Retirement Plan dated March 25, 2008 is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(a) of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended March 1, 2008. *

  (z) Third Amendment to the Integrated Metal Technology, Inc. 401(K) Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees dated March 25, 2008 is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10(b) of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q Quarterly Report for quarter ended March 1, 2008. *

  (aa) Collared accelerated share repurchase agreement dated January 3, 2008, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated January 3, 2008.

  (ab) Accelerated share repurchase agreement dated January 3, 2008, is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated January 3, 2008.

  (ac) Form of Herman Miller, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated July 24, 2008. *

  (ad) Form of Herman Miller, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan Performance Share Award is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated July 24, 2008. *

  * denotes compensatory plan or arrangement.

  (21) Subsidiaries

  (23)(a) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  (24) Power of Attorney (Included in Item 15)

  (31)(a) Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Herman Miller, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  (31)(b) Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Herman Miller, Inc., pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  (32)(a) Certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Herman Miller, Inc., pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  (32)(b) Certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of Herman Miller, Inc., pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  99.1 Form of Herman Miller, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award

-94-

Herman Miller, Inc.Form 10-K Exhibit 21

EXHIBIT 21

HERMAN MILLER, INC., SUBSIDIARIES

The company’s principal subsidiaries are as follows.

Name Ownership Jurisdiction
of Incorporation

Brandrud Furniture, Inc.
    100% Company     Washington    
Convia, Inc.   96.6% Company   Delaware  
Coro Acquisition Corporation-California   100% Company   California  
Geiger International, Inc.   100% Company   Delaware  
Herman Miller Asia (PTE.) Ltd.   100% Company   Singapore  
Herman Miller (Australia) Pty., Ltd.   100% Company   Australia  
Herman Miller Canada   100% Company   Canada  
Herman Miller Furniture (India) Pvt. Ltd.   100% Company   India  
Herman Miller Global Customer Solutions, Inc.   100% Company   Michigan  
Herman Miller Japan, Ltd.   100% Company   Japan  
Herman Miller, Ltd.   100% Company   England, U.K.  
Herman Miller Mexico S.A. de C.V.   100% Company   Mexico  
Herman Miller (Ningbo) Furniture Co. Ltd.   100% Company   China  
Integrated Metal Technologies, Inc.   100% Company   Michigan  
Meridian, Inc.   100% Company   Michigan  
Milsure Insurance, Ltd.   100% Company   Barbados  
Office Pavilion South Florida, Inc.   100% Company   Florida  
OP Spectrum LLP   100% Company   Pennsylvania  
OP Ventures, Inc.   100% Company   Colorado  
OP Ventures of Texas, Inc.   100% Company   Texas  


Herman Miller, Inc.Form 10-K Exhibit 23(a)

Exhibit 23(a)–Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements Nos. 2-84202, 333-04367, 333-42506, 333-04365, 333-122282, 33-04369, 333-122283 on Form S-8 and No. 333-157364 on Form S-3 of Herman Miller, Inc. and subsidiaries of our reports dated July 20, 2009, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Herman Miller, Inc. and subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Herman Miller, Inc. and subsidiaries, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the fiscal year ended May 30, 2009.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 27, 2009

Herman Miller, Inc. Form 10-K Exhibit 31(a)

Exhibit 31(a)

CERTIFICATE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
OF HERMAN MILLER, INC. (THE “REGISTRANT”)

I, Brian C. Walker, certify that:

  1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended May 30, 2009, of Herman Miller, Inc;

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: July 28, 2009

/s/ Brian C. Walker    
Brian C. Walker
Chief Executive Officer

Herman Miller, Inc. Form 10-K Exhibit 31(b)

Exhibit 31(b)

CERTIFICATE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
OF HERMAN MILLER, INC. (THE “REGISTRANT”)

I, Gregory J. Bylsma, certify that:

  1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended May 30, 2009, of Herman Miller, Inc;

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: July 28, 2009

/s/ Gregory J. Bylsma    
Gregory J. Bylsma
Chief Financial Officer

Herman Miller, Inc. Form 10-K Exhibit 32(a)

Exhibit 32(a)

CERTIFICATE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
OF HERMAN MILLER, INC. (THE “COMPANY”)

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:

I, Brian C. Walker, Chief Executive Officer of the company, certify to the best of my knowledge and belief pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that:

  (1) The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended May 30, 2009, which this statement accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

  (2) The information contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the company.

Dated: July 28, 2009

/s/ Brian C. Walker    
Chief Executive Officer

The signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Herman Miller, Inc. and will be retained by Herman Miller, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Herman Miller, Inc. Form 10-K Exhibit 32(b)

Exhibit 32(b)

CERTIFICATE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
OF HERMAN MILLER, INC. (THE “COMPANY”)

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:

I, Greg J. Bylsma, Chief Financial Officer of the company, certify to the best of my knowledge and belief pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that:

  (1) The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended May 30, 2009, which this statement accompanies, fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

  (2) The information contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the company.

Dated: July 28, 2009

/s/ Gregory J. Bylsma    
Chief Financial Officer

The signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Herman Miller, Inc. and will be retained by Herman Miller, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Herman Miller, Inc. Form 10-K Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

HERMAN MILLER, INC. LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD

        This certifies that Herman Miller, Inc. (the “Company”) has on %%OPTION_DATE,‘Month DD, YYYY’%-% (the “Award Date”), granted to %%FIRST_NAME%-% %%LAST_NAME%-% (the “Participant”) an award (the “Award”) of %%TOTAL_SHARES_GRANTED,’999,999,999'%-% restricted stock units (the “Restricted Stock Units”) pursuant to and under the Herman Miller, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) (a copy of which has been provided to the Participant). Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one (1) share of Herman Miller, Inc. Common Stock, $.20 par value per share (“Common Stock”), plus an additional amount pursuant to Section 1(b), subject to certain restrictions and on the terms and conditions contained in this Award and the Plan. The Plan is incorporated into this Award by reference, and in the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Award, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Any terms not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

        1.        Rights of the Participant with Respect to the Restricted Stock Units.

        (a)        No Shareholder Rights. The Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Award do not and shall not entitle Participant to any rights of a shareholder of Common Stock. The rights of Participant with respect to the Restricted Stock Units shall remain forfeitable at all times prior to the date on which such rights become vested in accordance with Section 2, 3 or 4.


        (b)        Additional Restricted Stock Units. As long as Participant holds Restricted Stock Units granted pursuant to this Award, the Company shall credit to Participant, as of each date that the Company pays a Dividend (as defined below) in cash to holders of Common Stock (the “Dividend Payment Date”), an additional number of Restricted Stock Units (“Additional Restricted Stock Units”) equal to:


        (i)        The total number of Restricted Stock Units and Additional Restricted Stock Units credited to Participant under this Award as of the close of business on the record date for such Dividend, multiplied by


        (ii)        The dollar amount of the Dividend paid per share of Common Stock by the Company on such Dividend Payment Date, divided by


        (iii)        The Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on such Dividend Payment Date.



          The term “Dividend” shall include all dividends, whether normal or special, and whether payable in cash, Common Stock, or other property.

          The calculation of Additional Restricted Stock Units shall be carried to three (3) decimal places, and any fractional Restricted Stock Unit resulting from such calculation shall be included in the Participant’s Additional Restricted Stock Units. A report showing the number of Additional Restricted Stock Units so credited shall be sent to Participant periodically, as determined by the Company. The Additional Restricted Stock Units so credited shall vest and be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Restricted Stock Units to which such Additional Restricted Stock Units relate, and the Additional Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited in the event that the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which such Additional Restricted Stock Units were credited are forfeited.

        (c)        Conversion of Restricted Stock Units; Issuance of Common Stock. No shares of Common Stock shall be issued to Participant prior to the date on which the Restricted Stock Units vest, and the restrictions with respect to the Restricted Stock Units lapse, in accordance with Section 2, 3 or 4. Neither this Subsection 1(c) nor any action taken pursuant to or in accordance with this Section 1(c) shall be construed to create a trust of any kind. After any Restricted Stock Units vest pursuant to Section 2, 3 or 4, all restrictions with respect to the distribution of the Restricted Stock Units have lapsed, and any tax withholding obligations related to such Restricted Stock Units have been satisfied pursuant to Section 8, the Company shall, within sixty (60) days, cause to be issued to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be, a stock certificate or book entry representing the number of shares of Common Stock in payment of such vested whole Restricted Stock Units and Additional Restricted Stock Units, unless a valid deferral has been made pursuant to Section 7, in which case such distribution shall be made within sixty (60) days after the date to which distribution has been deferred. The value of any fractional Additional Restricted Stock Unit shall be paid in cash at the time certificates are delivered to Participant in payment of the Restricted Stock Units and Additional Restricted Stock Units based on the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the day preceding the date of distribution.


        2.        Vesting. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Award, the Restricted Stock Units shall vest on the third (3rd) anniversary of the Award Date if Participant remains continuously employed by the Company or a Subsidiary. If a Participant Retires before the third (3rd) anniversary of the Award Date, the Participant’s Restricted Stock Units shall vest on the third (3rd) anniversary of the Award Date if at all times between the date of Retirement and the third (3rd) anniversary of the Award Date the Participant does not compete with the Company and is available to consult with the Company up to ten (10) hours in


any calendar quarter at times reasonably agreed upon. Upon any failure to comply with the preceding sentence, the Participant’s Restricted Stock Units shall be cancelled. For purposes of this Agreement, “compete with the Company” means engaging in, assisting in any way, financing or owning an interest in (other than less than a 1% interest in a company whose stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), any business which manufactures or sells products or provides services that are similar to or substitutes for products manufactured or sold or services provided by the Company. Whether a Participant competes with the Company or is available for consulting shall be determined by the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be final and binding. “Retirees” or “Retirement” shall mean retirement under the Company’s qualified retirement plans.

        For purposes of this Award, a Participant who begins a leave of absence from the Company or a Subsidiary after the Award Date and who returns to employment with the Company or a Subsidiary prior to the third (3rd) anniversary of the Award Date or prior to any other event causing early vesting under Sections 3 or 4 following the leave of absence shall be considered to be continuously employed during the leave of absence.

        3.        Forfeiture or Early Vesting Upon Termination of Employment.

        (a)        Termination of Employment Generally. Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) of this Section 3, if, prior to vesting of the Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 2 or 4, Participant ceases to be an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, then Participant’s rights to all of the unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be immediately and irrevocably forfeited, including the right to receive Additional Restricted Stock Units issued in respect of unvested Restricted Stock Units.


        (b)        Death. If Participant dies while employed by the Company or a Subsidiary or while Retired and has complied with Section 2 prior to the time that his Restricted Stock Units become vested, then a portion of his or her unvested Restricted Stock Units shall become immediately vested as of the date of death. The portion of Restricted Stock Units that shall vest upon Participant’s death is determined by multiplying the sum of Participant’s Restricted Stock Units granted under this Award and related Additional Restricted Stock Units by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar months, beginning on the Award Date and ending on the Participant’s date of death, that Participant was employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, and the denominator of which is 36. No transfer by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution of any Restricted Stock Units that vest by reason of Participant’s death shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Committee shall have been furnished with written notice of such transfer and a copy of the will or such other evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer.



        (c)        Disability. If Participant’s employment by the Company or Subsidiary is terminated due to Participant’s failure to return to work as the result of a “Disability” or if Participant is Retired and has complied with Section 2 and becomes subject to a “Disability”, prior to the time that his or her Restricted Stock Units become vested, then a portion of his or her unvested Restricted Stock Units shall become immediately vested, as of the date the Participant incurred such Disability. The portion of Restricted Stock Units that shall vest upon the date the Participant became disabled is determined by multiplying the sum of Participant’s Restricted Stock Units granted under this Award and the related Additional Restricted Stock Units by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar months, beginning on the Award Date and ending on the date the Participant incurred such Disability that Participant was employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, and the denominator of which is 36.


          For purposes of this Award, a Participant shall be considered to have incurred a “Disability” at such time as the Participant:

        (i)        Is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or


        (ii)        Is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under a disability plan maintained by the Company.


        (d)        Retirement. Except as provided herein, if Participant’s employment by the Company or Subsidiary is terminated by reason of Participant’s Retirement prior to the time that his Restricted Stock Units become vested, the Participant’s Restricted Stock Units will vest, if at all, as provided in Section 2 and be distributed after the third (3rd) anniversary of the Award Date as provided in Section 1(c).


        (e)        Termination of Employment without Cause. Except as provided in Paragraph (i), below, if the Company or a Subsidiary terminates the Participant’s employment without “Cause” (as defined below) prior to the time that Participant’s Restricted Stock Units become vested, then a portion of his or her unvested Restricted Stock Units shall become immediately vested as of the date the Company or a Subsidiary terminates the Participant’s employment without Cause. The portion of Restricted Stock Units that shall vest upon the Company’s or a



  Subsidiary's termination of the Participant's employment without Cause is determined by multiplying the sum of Participant’s Restricted Stock Units granted under this Award and related Additional Restricted Stock Units by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar months, beginning on the Award Date and ending on the date of Company’s or Subsidiary’s termination of Participant’s employment without Cause, that Participant was employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, and the denominator of which is 36.

        (i)        Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is a “Key Employee” (as defined in subsection (f) of this Section 3), such pro rata portion of Participant’s Restricted Stock Units shall become vested as provided above, but the conversion to Common Stock and the distribution of Common Stock to the Participant shall not occur until on the earlier of:


        (A)        The date which is six (6) months after the date the Company terminates the Participant’s employment without Cause, or


        (B)        The date of Participant’s death.


        (ii)        For purposes of this subsection (e), “Cause” shall mean:


        (A)        A material breach by the Participant of those duties and responsibilities of the Participant which do not differ in any material respect from the duties and responsibilities of the Participant during the 90-day period immediately prior to such breach (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which is demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Participant’s part, which is committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breach is in the best interests of the Company and which is not remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company specifying such breach; or


        (B)        The commission by the Participant of a felony involving moral turpitude.


        (f)        Key Employee. For purposes of subsection (e) of this Section 3, a “Key Employee” is a Participant who, at any time during the year in which his or her employment with the Company terminated, was:


        (i)        An officer of the Company whose compensation from the Company for the year was more than $135,000, as adjusted pursuant to Code Section 416(i)(1)(A);



        (ii)        A more than 5% owner of the Company; or


        (iii)        A more than 1% owner of the Company with annual compensation from the Company of more than $150,000.


  For purposes of this subsection (f), the term “owner” will include ownership attributed to the Participant under the rules of Code Section 318; provided, however, that the rules of Code Section 414(b), (c), and (m) do not apply for purposes of determining ownership of the Company.

        4.        Early Vesting Upon a Change in Control Event. Notwithstanding the other vesting provisions contained in Section 2, but subject to the other terms and conditions set forth herein, upon the effective date of a “Change in Control Event,” all of the Participant’s Restricted Stock Units shall become immediately and unconditionally vested. “Change in Control Event” means a “Change in Ownership,” a “Change in Effective Control,” or a “Change in Ownership of the Company’s Assets” as defined below.

        (a)        A “Change in Ownership” occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as such term is described in subsection (d) of this Section 4), acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50 percent of the total Fair Market Value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, subject to the following:


        (i)        If any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as such term is described in subsection (d) of this Section 4), is considered to own more than 50 percent of the total Fair Market Value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock in the Company by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a Change in Ownership (or to cause a Change in Effective Control under subsection (b) of this Section 4); and


        (ii)        An increase in the percentage of stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group (as such term is described in subsection (d) of this Section 4), as a result of a transaction in which the Company acquired stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this subsection (a).


  This subsection (a) shall apply only when there is a transfer of stock of the Company (or issuance of stock of the Company), and stock in the Company remains outstanding after the transaction.


        (b)        A “Change in Effective Control” of the Company occurs on the date that either:


        (i)        Any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as such term is described in subsection (d) of this Section 4), acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 35 percent or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company, or


        (ii)        A majority of the members of the Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election.


        (c)        A “Change in the Ownership of the Company’s Assets” occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as such term is described in subsection (d) of this Section 4), acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total “Gross Fair Market Value” equal to or more than 40 percent of the total Gross Fair Market Value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions.


        (i)        “Gross Fair Market Value” means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.


        (ii)        There is no Change in the Ownership of the Company’s Assets when there is a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the Company immediately after the transfer. A transfer of assets by the Company is not treated as a Change in the Ownership of the Company’s Assets if the assets are transferred to:


        (A)        A shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock;


        (B)        An entity, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company;


        (C)        A person, or more than one person acting as a group (as such term is described in subsection (d) of this Section 4), that owns, directly or indirectly, at least 50 percent of the



  total Fair Market Value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company; or

        (D)        An entity, 50 percent or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in subparagraph (C).


  Except as otherwise provided, for purposes of this Paragraph (ii), a person’s status is determined immediately after the transfer of assets.

        (d)        For purposes of subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 4, persons will not be considered to be acting as a group solely because they purchase or own stock or purchase assets of the same corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering. However, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase, or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction, with the Company. If a person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase, or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders in a corporation only with respect to the ownership in that corporation prior to the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation.


        5.        Restriction on Transfer. The Restricted Stock Units and any rights under this Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of by Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition shall be void and unenforceable against the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of Participant and receive any property distributable with respect to the Restricted Stock Units upon the death of Participant.

        6.        Adjustments to Restricted Stock Units. In the event that any Dividend other than a cash Dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company or other similar corporate transaction or event affecting Common Stock would be reasonably likely to result in the material diminution or enlargement of any of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Award (including, without limitation, the benefits or potential benefits of provisions relating to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units), the Committee shall, in such manner as it shall deem equitable or appropriate in order to prevent such


diminution or enlargement of any such benefits or potential benefits, make adjustments to the Award, including adjustments in the number and type of shares of Common Stock that Participant would have received upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units; provided, however, that the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Restricted Stock Units may be converted shall always be a whole number.

        7.        Deferral of Distribution. A Participant may elect to defer the conversion of Restricted Stock Units granted under this Award and related Additional Restricted Stock Units into Common Stock and the issuance of such Common Stock with respect thereto to a time later than that provided under subsection (c) of Section 1. The Participant must file such election with the Committee at least 12 months prior to the date provided under subsection (c) of Section 1 that such Restricted Stock Units are scheduled to be converted into Common Stock and issued to the Participant. The Participant must specify in the election the date on which the Restricted Stock Units granted under this Award and the related additional Restricted Stock Units will be converted to Common Stock and issued to Participant. The date elected must be at least three (3) years later than the date on which the Restricted Stock Units would have been converted to Common Stock and issued to the Participant under subsection (c) of Section 1.

        8.        Tax Withholding.

        (a)        In order to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local tax withholding laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal, state, and local payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are the sole and absolute responsibility of Participant, are withheld or collected from Participant.


        (b)        In accordance with the terms of the Plan, and such rules as may be adopted by the Committee under the Plan, Participant may elect to satisfy Participant’s federal, state, and local tax obligations arising from the receipt of, or the lapse of restrictions relating to, the Restricted Stock Units, by any of the following means or by a combination of such means set forth below. If the Participant fails to notify the Company of his or her election, the Company shall withhold shares of common stock as described in subsection (ii) below.


        (i)        Tendering a payment to the Company in the form of cash, check (bank check, certified check or personal check) or money order payable to the Company;


        (ii)        Authorizing the Company to withhold from the shares of Common Stock otherwise to be delivered to the Participant a number of such shares having a Fair Market Value as of the date



  that the amount of the tax to be withheld is to be determined (the “Tax Date), which shall be the date the Restricted Stock Units vest, less than or equal to the minimum amount of the Company’s withholding tax obligation; or

        (iii)        Delivering to the Company unencumbered shares of Common Stock already owned by Participant having a Fair Market Value, as of the Tax Date.. Any shares already owned by Participant referred to in this Paragraph (iii) must have been owned by Participant for no less than six (6) months prior to the date delivered to the Company if such shares were acquired upon the exercise of an option or upon the vesting of restricted stock or other restricted stock units.


          The Company will not deliver any fractional share of Common Stock but will pay, in lieu thereof, the Fair Market Value of such fractional share. Participant’s election must be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined.

        9.        Miscellaneous.

        (a)        Neither this Award Agreement nor the Plan confers on Participant any right with respect to the continuance of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary, nor shall there be a limitation in any way on the right of the Company or any Subsidiary by which Participant is employed to terminate his or her employment at any time.


        (b)        The Company shall not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock upon vesting of any Restricted Stock Units until the requirements of any federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations or other laws or rules (including the rules of any securities exchange) as may be determined by the Company to be applicable are satisfied.


        (c)        An original record of this Award and all the terms hereof, executed by the Company and accepted and acknowledged by the Participant, is held on file by the Company. To the extent there is any conflict between the terms contained in this Award and the terms contained in the original held by the Company, the terms of the original held by the Company shall control.


HERMAN MILLER, INC.


By Brian C. Walker
Its Chief Executive Officer