HAY
HAY
Est. 2002
About
HAY is a Danish furniture and design company based in Copenhagen that produces contemporary furniture, lighting and accessories. It is known for accessible contemporary design in a Scandinavian tradition, aiming to bring considered design to everyday products at relatively attainable prices. Since 2019 it has been a majority-owned part of the group now known as MillerKnoll, while continuing to operate under its own name and creative direction. The company was founded in 2002 by Rolf Hay and Mette Hay. Their stated ambition was to make well-designed furniture and accessories available at prices within reach of ordinary buyers, drawing on Danish and wider Scandinavian design traditions while working with a new generation of contemporary designers. The first furniture collection followed shortly after the company's founding, and the range expanded over the years to span seating, tables, storage, textiles, lighting and a large catalogue of accessories. The two founders remain central to the company's identity and serve as its creative directors, with Rolf Hay leading the furniture side and Mette Hay leading accessories. HAY's collections are developed through collaborations with international designers. Among its best-known products is the About A Chair (AAC) series designed by Hee Welling, a family of chairs produced in numerous shell, base and material combinations, as well as the Palissade outdoor collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec and chairs such as the J77. Alongside furniture, the company produces a broad accessories programme covering items for the kitchen, desk and home. Ownership changed over the course of the 2010s. The American manufacturer Herman Miller acquired a minority interest in HAY in 2018, and in 2019 increased its holding to a majority stake of about two-thirds in a transaction reported at around 78 million US dollars, with the founders retaining the remainder. As a result HAY became a subsidiary within the Herman Miller group, which was subsequently renamed MillerKnoll, while Rolf and Mette Hay continued to lead its design direction. HAY's products are aimed at both residential and workplace settings, and the company has positioned itself as a bridge between high design and everyday furniture. Its goods are sold through HAY's own stores and website, through design retailers, and through contract channels for workplace and hospitality projects. The company has also undertaken widely noted collaborations, including a homeware range with IKEA and work with the audio company Sonos. As a Copenhagen-based design house with an international footprint, HAY combines a large contemporary catalogue with the backing of a larger furniture group.
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Common Questions
HAY is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, where it was founded and where its design direction is based. The company sells internationally through its own stores, design retailers and contract channels. It is part of the MillerKnoll group.
HAY was founded in 2002 by Rolf Hay and Mette Hay in Denmark. Their aim was to create well-designed contemporary furniture and accessories at relatively accessible prices. Both founders remain involved as the company's creative directors.
HAY is known for accessible contemporary Scandinavian furniture, lighting and accessories. Among its best-known products are the About A Chair (AAC) series by Hee Welling and the Palissade outdoor collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. The company also produces a wide range of homeware and accessories.
HAY is majority-owned by the group now known as MillerKnoll. Herman Miller acquired a minority interest in 2018 and increased it to a majority stake of about two-thirds in 2019, with founders Rolf and Mette Hay retaining the remainder and continuing to lead the company's design direction.
HAY is generally positioned as offering contemporary design at relatively accessible prices compared with high-end design furniture, which was part of the founders' stated intention. Actual prices vary widely across its range, from inexpensive accessories to larger furniture pieces. furniture.directory is an independent directory and does not set or sell at these prices.
HAY products are sold through the company's own stores and official website, through design and homeware retailers, and through contract channels for workplace and hospitality projects. Availability varies by country. furniture.directory is an independent directory and does not sell furniture directly.