Who Owns MillerKnoll Company?

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Who Owns MillerKnoll?

The ownership structure of a company profoundly influences its strategic direction and market influence. A pivotal event shaping the contemporary landscape of modern design was the acquisition of Knoll by Herman Miller, creating MillerKnoll. This transformative $1.8 billion transaction, finalized on July 19, 2021, brought together two iconic design powerhouses.

MillerKnoll, Inc., headquartered in Zeeland, Michigan, emerged from the legacies of Herman Miller and Knoll, aiming to redefine modern design. As a publicly traded entity on the NASDAQ (MLKN), its ownership is distributed among various stakeholders, reflecting its status as a significant player in the global design market.

MillerKnoll reported net sales of $3.7 billion for fiscal year 2025, ending May 31, 2025. As of August 19, 2025, the company held a market capitalization of $1.45 billion with 67.8 million shares outstanding. This exploration will delve into the intricate ownership journey, tracing its roots and the roles of major stakeholders, including insights from a MillerKnoll PESTEL Analysis.

The foundation of MillerKnoll's ownership is rooted in the distinct origins of Herman Miller and Knoll. Herman Miller began as the Star Furniture Company in 1905, later becoming The Herman Miller Furniture Company in 1923 through a purchase led by D.J. De Pree and Herman Miller. Knoll was established in 1938 by Hans Knoll, who later partnered with his wife, Florence Schust Knoll, significantly influencing the company's design direction.

Herman Miller's Founding

The company that would become Herman Miller started in 1905. D.J. De Pree and Herman Miller acquired a majority stake in 1923, renaming it The Herman Miller Furniture Company.

Knoll's European Modernism

Hans Knoll founded Knoll in 1938 with the goal of bringing European Modernist design to America. His wife, Florence Knoll, became a crucial partner in shaping the company's aesthetic.

Florence Knoll's Influence

Following Hans Knoll's passing in 1955, Florence Knoll assumed sole ownership. Her leadership solidified the company's design identity and strategic direction.

Employee Ownership Culture

Max De Pree, son of D.J. De Pree, later introduced an employee shareholding plan at Herman Miller. This initiative fostered a unique ownership culture within the company.

Early Financial Backing

Herman Miller provided essential financial backing to the company bearing his name. D.J. De Pree was instrumental in the company's operational transformation.

Knoll's Transition

Florence Knoll sold Knoll Associates to Art Metal Construction Company in 1959. This marked a significant shift in the company's ownership structure after her period of sole control.

The early ownership of both Herman Miller and Knoll was characterized by founder-driven initiatives and strategic partnerships. Herman Miller's ownership began with a significant stake acquired by D.J. De Pree and Herman Miller, later evolving to include employees. Knoll's ownership transitioned from its founder, Hans Knoll, to his wife Florence Knoll, who then sold the company, indicating a concentrated ownership phase. Understanding this history is key to grasping the evolution of MillerKnoll ownership.

Foundational Ownership Dynamics

The initial ownership structures of Herman Miller and Knoll laid the groundwork for their future development. These early stages were crucial in shaping their respective corporate cultures and strategic directions.

• Herman Miller's ownership was established through a significant equity purchase by D.J. De Pree and Herman Miller.
• Knoll's early ownership was heavily influenced by its founder, Hans Knoll, and later by Florence Knoll.
• The implementation of employee shareholding at Herman Miller fostered a unique ownership culture.
• Florence Knoll's sole ownership of Knoll Associates after 1955 represented a period of concentrated control.
• The sale of Knoll in 1959 marked a transition in its ownership landscape.

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The current structure of MillerKnoll is largely a result of a significant 2021 merger, but its roots trace back to the individual public company histories of Herman Miller and Knoll. Herman Miller became a public entity in 1970, while Knoll navigated a more complex path, going public in 1983, then private in 1986, and public again in 1997 and 2004.

The pivotal event in the evolution of MillerKnoll ownership was the acquisition of Knoll by Herman Miller, finalized on July 19, 2021, in a transaction valued at $1.8 billion. This merger resulted in Herman Miller shareholders holding approximately 78% of the combined entity, with Knoll shareholders owning about 22%. This strategic union aimed to bolster the company's presence across various market segments, including contract, residential trade, and retail, thereby shaping its overall direction and governance.

MillerKnoll Ownership Landscape

As of August 19, 2025, MillerKnoll (NASDAQ: MLKN) has a market capitalization of $1.45 billion. The MillerKnoll stock ownership is distributed among various stakeholders.

• Institutional investors, including mutual funds, index funds, and hedge funds, are significant holders of MillerKnoll stock ownership.
• Individual insiders, such as executive officers and directors, also constitute a portion of the MillerKnoll shareholders.
• Detailed MillerKnoll ownership breakdown by institution is available in the company's SEC filings.
• These institutional holdings influence company strategy through their voting power and engagement with the MillerKnoll board of directors.
• Understanding who controls MillerKnoll's decision-making involves examining these major stakeholder groups.

The merger was a strategic maneuver to enhance scale and capabilities, impacting the MillerKnoll company structure and market reach. For a deeper understanding of the company's historical trajectory, one can refer to the Brief History of MillerKnoll. The company's 2024 Annual Report and Proxy Statement provide comprehensive data on security ownership, offering insights into beneficial owners and management. This information is crucial for understanding the MillerKnoll company financial reports ownership data and how MillerKnoll's ownership affects its strategy.

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The current Board of Directors at MillerKnoll is responsible for guiding the company's strategic path and is accountable to its shareholders. As of July 29, 2024, the board consists of twelve directors, with eleven of them being independent, underscoring a commitment to robust corporate governance.

In July 2024, MillerKnoll enhanced its Board of Directors by appointing three new members: John Maeda, a technologist and designer; Tina Edmundson, President of Luxury at Marriott International; and Jeanne Gang, an internationally renowned architect. These additions, following the retirement of two directors, are intended to bolster the board's expertise in areas such as technology, architecture, design, hospitality, and art, aligning with the company's long-term growth objectives and influencing its Target Market of MillerKnoll.

MillerKnoll Voting Power and Structure

MillerKnoll operates with a standard one-share-one-vote structure for its common stock, which is traded on NASDAQ under the ticker MLKN. This structure means that each share of common stock typically carries one vote. Information regarding voting matters, such as the election of directors, is detailed in the company's proxy statements, including the 2024 Proxy Statement.

• One-share-one-vote structure for common stock.
• Stock is traded on NASDAQ under the ticker MLKN.
• Proxy statements provide detailed voting information.
• No indication of dual-class shares or special voting rights.
• A strong presence of independent directors suggests robust corporate governance.

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The ownership landscape of MillerKnoll has been significantly redefined since its inception through the merger of Herman Miller and Knoll in July 2021. This strategic consolidation created a global design collective, influencing its current MillerKnoll ownership structure and the dynamics among its MillerKnoll shareholders.

Financially, the company has demonstrated active capital management, evidenced by share repurchases. In Q4 FY2024, approximately 1.4 million shares were bought back for $37.3 million, followed by the repurchase of 0.8 million shares for $17.9 million in Q3 FY2025. As of May 31, 2025, MillerKnoll maintained a robust liquidity position of $575.9 million. Leadership continuity is a key aspect, with Andi Owen at the helm as CEO. The board of directors was expanded in July 2024 with the addition of three new directors, bringing the total to twelve, with a strong majority of independent members, reflecting a commitment to enhanced governance and diversified expertise.

Share Buyback Activity

MillerKnoll has engaged in share repurchases to manage its capital structure. These actions can impact the concentration of MillerKnoll stock ownership among its shareholders.

Board of Directors Enhancements

Recent board appointments underscore a focus on governance and industry-specific expertise. This strategic move aims to bolster decision-making and oversight within the MillerKnoll company structure.

Financial Performance Overview

The company's financial reports provide insights into its operational performance and strategic direction. Understanding these reports is key to grasping the MillerKnoll company financial reports ownership data.

Strategic Focus on Design and Sustainability

MillerKnoll's commitment to design, innovation, and sustainability influences its business strategy and how its ownership affects its strategy. This aligns with broader corporate responsibility trends.

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