Through tirelessly asking questions and responding to feedback, Savo has successfully perfected the art of crafting human-centric chairs that exemplify premium quality and Scandinavian design. We meet the brand as it marks 80 years in the business
According to research, the average worker will spend nearly eight years of their life sitting in an office chair. It’s a compelling reason why workplace seating deserves more design attention than it typically gets. That’s why the team at Scandinavian office chair company Savo has spent more than half a century quietly innovating and honing ergonomic mechanisms to support the body as effectively as possible.
Photography by Studio Nois
With roots tracing back to 1945 in post-war Norway, Savo’s journey began with the production of steel-based utility goods such as ashtrays and clothes racks. But it was in the 1970s that the company found its true calling, firmly establishing itself as a dedicated specialist in office seating.
Today, under the guidance of South African-British CEO Craig Howarth, the brand is making bold moves towards an equally inventive future. Having relocated from the UK to Sweden a decade ago, Howarth brought years of experience to EFG (European Furniture Group), Savo’s parent company since 2007, through his leadership role. “Our design principles have always been based on human-centric ergonomics,” he explains. “It’s insight-driven: everything is about what the body needs, what posture is healthy and how people really sit when they work.”
Savo’s reputation for innovation has been well earned. In 1990, the company introduced the now-patented Floating Tilt mechanism; a pioneering solution created with physiotherapists that allows the seat and backrest to move independently. It marked a new standard for ergonomic movement in office chairs. Then came the Savo Maxikon in 2002, a screwless chair designed by Svein Gusrud and Fredrik Torsteinsen. It was a milestone in sustainability for the company, with a modular form that allowed for easy disassembly and recycling long before ‘circular design’ became a buzzword.
Photography by Jacobo Campos
Unlike many brands chasing fast-changing design trends, Savo takes the long view. “We’re not a trend-based company,” says Howarth. “Our products are built to stand the test of time.” This philosophy informs every design brief, which starts with user feedback and incorporates considerations around material use and sustainability. “How can we take as little as possible from the environment, ensure there’s recycled content, and design chairs that can be taken apart, layer-by-layer, at end-of-life?”
Recent years have seen Savo’s designs responding to the changing demands of the modern workplace by developing chairs that are suited to hybrid work spaces. “In co-working offices or hot-desking environments, one chair might be used by five or six people in a day,” says Howarth. “So adjustability has to be intuitive. People won’t do it if it’s complicated. The chair has to do the work.” Savo’s Spine – a collaboration between Savo and Form Us With Love – embodies this adaptive approach. Its modular structure allows users to evolve the chair as their needs change – from a stool to a full desk chair, for example – without replacing the whole product.
To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Savo staged Sit. Dot. Move. at Copenhagen’s 3daysofdesign festival – an immersive installation that included a chair-testing zone and an interactive display that asked visitors various questions in order to algorithmically match them with the perfect chair. The exhibition also introduced four major goals that will define the company’s future. First is the promise to develop a 100-year chair – a fully repairable, endlessly serviceable product built to last for generations. Then there’s Circular by Design, a commitment to ensuring that all new products are fully modular, renewable and recoverable by 2030. Climate Neutral by 2040 sets a bold target for achieving net-zero across all operations and products, while Material Transparency by 2027 promises clear, accessible data on product sourcing and recyclability.
Photography by Studio Nois
As the workplace continues to evolve, Savo remains committed to evolving with it. “I saw this 80-year anniversary as an opportunity for a reset,” says Howarth. “We spent last year redefining our overall company strategy and now, with these new commitments, we’re reaffirming the direction that we want to be going in. And that’s exciting for us.”
This story was originally featured in OnOffice 172, Autumn 2025. Discover similar stories by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here
