Edgar Filing: KNOLL INC

Form 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007

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

For the transition period from to

Commission File No. 001-12907

KNOLL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		13-3873847
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

1235 Water Street

East Greenville, PA 18041

(215) 679-7991

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number

including area code of principal executive offices)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:


Title of each class		Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share		New York Stock Exchange

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE

Indicate by check mark if the issuer 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 Exchange 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 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

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x, Accelerated filer ¨, Non-accelerated filer ¨, Smaller 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

As of June 30, 2007, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1,072,079,926 based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.

As of February 22, 2008, there were 49,155,389 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report on Form 10-K to the extent stated therein.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Item		Page
	PART I

1.	Business	1
1A.	Risk Factors	12
1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	18
2.	Properties	19
3.	Legal Proceedings	19
4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders	19

	PART II

5.	Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	20
6.	Selected Financial Data	23
7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	36
8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	38
9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	68
9A.	Controls and Procedures	68
9B.	Other Information	70

	PART III

10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	70
11.	Executive Compensation	70
12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	70
13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	70
14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	70

	PART IV

15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	71

Signatures		75

PART I

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

General

We are a leading designer and manufacturer of branded office furniture products, textiles and fine leathers. Our commitment to innovation and modern design has yielded a comprehensive portfolio of products designed to provide enduring value and help clients shape their workplaces with imagination and vision. Our products are recognized for high quality and a sophisticated image and are targeted at the middle to upper end of the market. We sell our products primarily in North America through a direct sales force of approximately 300 professionals and a broad network of approximately 300 independent dealers. Our distinctive operating approach has driven industry leading operating income margins among our primary publicly-held competitors.

Since our founding in 1938, we have been recognized worldwide as a design leader within our industry. Our products are exhibited in major art museums worldwide, including more than 40 pieces in the permanent Design Collection of The Museum of Modern Art in New York. This design legacy continues to flourish today and is embodied in award winning products, including the innovative LIFE^™ chair and AutoStrada^® office furniture system. Our design excellence is complemented by a management philosophy that fosters a strong collaborative culture, client-driven processes and a lean, agile operating structure. Our employees are performance-driven and motivated by a variable incentive compensation system and broad-based equity ownership in the company. Together, these core attributes have enabled us to achieve strong financial performance.

Our management evaluates the company as one reporting segment in the office furniture industry. For further information on segment reporting, see note 17 in the accompanying financial statements.

Products

We offer a comprehensive and expanding portfolio of high quality office furniture, textiles and leather across five product categories: (i) office systems, which are typically modular and moveable workspaces with functionally integrated panels, work surfaces, desk components, pedestal and other storage units, power and data systems and lighting; (ii) specialty products, including high image side chairs, sofas, desks and tables for the office and home, textiles, accessories and leathers and related products; (iii) seating; (iv) files and storage; and (v) desks, casegoods and tables. Historically, we have derived most of our revenues from office systems, work surfaces, storage and lighting, and from specialty products, including our KnollStudio^® collection of signature design classics furnishings, KnollTextiles^™, Spinneybeck^® leather and KnollExtra^® accessories. However, in recent years, we have significantly expanded our product offerings in seating, files and storage, desks and casegoods and tables. Our products and knowledgeable sales force have generated strong brand recognition and loyalty among architects, designers and corporate facility managers, all of whom are key decision makers in the office furniture purchasing process. Our clients are typically Fortune 1000 companies, governmental agencies and other medium to large sized organizations in a variety of industries. We have an over $7 billion installed base of office systems, which provides a strong platform for recurring and add-on sales of products across all our categories.

Major product categories and lines include:

Systems Furniture

We believe that office systems purchases are divided primarily between (i) architect and designer-oriented products and (ii) entry-level products with technology, ergonomic and functional support. Our office systems furniture reflects the breadth of these sectors with a variety of planning models and a corresponding depth of product features. Our systems furniture can define or adapt to virtually any office environment from collaborative spaces for team interaction to private executive offices.

Systems furniture consists principally of functionally integrated panels, work surfaces, desk components, pedestal and other storage units, power and data systems and lighting. These components are combined to create flexible, space-efficient work environments that can be moved, re-configured and re-used. Clients, often working with architects and designers, have the opportunity to select from a palette of laminates, paints, veneers and textiles to design workspaces appropriate to their organizations’ personality. Our systems furniture product development strategy aims to insure that product line enhancements can be added to clients’ existing installations, maximizing the value of the clients’ investments in Knoll systems products.

Office systems furniture accounted for approximately 53.2% of our sales in 2007, 56.5% of our sales in 2006 and 56.8% of our sales in 2005.

Our systems furniture product lines include the following panel and desk-based planning models:

AutoStrada^®

AutoStrada, which we began shipping in the second half of 2004, is one of the most comprehensive office concepts that we have developed. AutoStrada provides aesthetic and functional alternatives to traditional panel-based and desk-based systems furniture with four planning models that combine high-performance furniture with the look of custom millwork. The AutoStrada spine-based, storage-based, wall-based and collaborative/open table planning models leverage a consistent design aesthetic to create a distinctively modern office environment. Whether an office requires a high performance open plan system, architectural casegoods, progressive private office furniture or a collaborative “big table” concept, AutoStrada provides a solution. In 2004, at Neocon^®, our national industry tradeshow, AutoStrada received a silver 2004 Best of NeoCon^® award.

Reff ^®

Reff is our flagship wood systems furniture platform. It combines the high performance capabilities of panel-based systems furniture and the refined elegance of wood casegoods, showcasing sophisticated all-wood construction and precisely crafted detail. Reff is available in an extensive range of veneers, durable laminates and metal options that can be used interchangeably in panel-based open areas as well as in private offices, as freestanding casegoods. Reff offers clients a variety of flexible panel types, making it easy to create virtually any type of workstation and has extensive power and data management capabilities for data and communications technology.

Currents^®

Our award-winning and innovative Currents system provides advanced power and data capabilities to organizations that require maximum space-planning freedom, advanced technology support and the mobility of freestanding furniture. The groundbreaking Currents service wall divides space and manages technology. Currents may be used in tandem with existing systems furniture, removing the constraints imposed by conventional panel systems. Currents also integrates with competitors’ systems and freestanding furniture.

Morrison^™

Our Morrison furniture system, which meets essential power and data requirements for panel and desk-based planning and private offices, offers one of the broadest ranges of systems performance in the industry. Morrison 120-degree panel-based planning extends the Morrison legacy of systems planning flexibility through a definitive vocabulary of universal systems components. Morrison has been upgraded continually with interchangeable enhancements from its Morrison Network, Morrison Access and Morrison Options lines. In addition, Morrison integrates with Currents to provide advanced wire management capabilities, as well as with our Calibre and Series 2 desks, pedestals, lateral files, overhead storage cabinets and architectural towers to provide compatible, cost-effective panel and desk-based solutions.

Equity^®

The distinguishing feature of our Equity product is its unique centerline modularity, which maximizes the efficient use of space for high-density workplaces with a minimal inventory of parts. Equity incorporates power and data capabilities, including desktop features, and integrates with Currents, which is described above, to provide advanced wire management capabilities. Equity components also create modular freestanding desks, and Equity 120-degree planning enables clients to create sleek, hexagonal configurations that are well suited for call and data centers. For both 90- and 120-degree Equity planning, a variety of components accommodate clients’ needs for privacy and storage: add-on screens, bi-fold doors and side-door components. Add-on screens are available in perforated steel, polycarbonate, Plexiglas^® and Imago^™ to accommodate various aesthetic and budgetary requirements. Equity continues to be an industry leader in terms of sustainable design.

Dividends^®

Our Dividends product is a straightforward, versatile frame-and-tile furniture system featuring a universal panel frame. Removable panel inserts, which can be ordered in fabric, steel, glass or as marker boards, meet a range of clients’ design and budgetary needs. The Dividends panel frame enables clients to utilize either monolithic, tiled or beltway panel type for applications throughout the workplace, and power and data access may be located virtually anywhere on the panel. The panel, in combination with the universal post, makes the Dividends system easy to re-configure, and workstations do not have to be disassembled to make changes to the panel. Dividends accommodates off-module planning, encouraging workstation design flexibility as well as the placement of freestanding Dividends desk components.

Dividends Horizon^®, introduced in 2007, extends the Dividends portfolio of workplace solutions with new planning opportunities for the individual workstation, focusing on new materials and furniture that evolve the office landspace with a layered approach to furniture design. Focusing on exceptionally light and transparent materials and practical personalized storage solutions, Dividends Horizon creates rich spatial environments for the contemporary workspace. Dividends Horizon received a silver 2007 Best of NeoCon^® award.

Seating

We continuously research and assess the general landscape of the office seating market, and tailor work chair product development initiatives to enhance our competitive position for ergonomics, aesthetics, comfort and value. We believe that the result of these efforts is an increasingly innovative, versatile seating collection consistent with the Knoll brand.

Key client criteria in work chair selection include superior ergonomics, aesthetics, comfort, quality and affordability, all of which is consistent with our strengths and reputation. We believe that we offer an excellent and fully competitive line up of chairs at a range of price points and performance levels and constructed from varying materials, including mesh, plastic and upholstery.

Our seating product lines are designed and engineered for clients in businesses of all sizes who seek distinctive, comfortable, high performance executive, task, conference and visitor chairs. The LIFE^™, RPM^®, Sapper^™, Bulldog^®, SOHO^™, Chadwick^™, and Essentials^™product lines offer a range of ergonomic features at various price levels.

In January 2006, we introduced our Essentials^™chair collection designed by Jeffrey Bernett, and in 2005 we introduced the Chadwick^™ product line designed by Don Chadwick. Both of these work chair offerings target the middle-market and entry price segment.

Seating accounted for approximately 11.2% of our sales in 2007, 10.7% of our sales in 2006 and 10.4% of our sales in 2005.

Our principal seating lines are:

LIFE^™. LIFE, introduced in 2002, has become an industry benchmark for ergonomic and sustainable design. Recognized for its overall lightness and agility, LIFE features intuitive adjustments that bring comfort and effortless control to a new performance level with an extensive range of supportive sitting options and responsive lumbar support.

RPM^®. RPM, recognized for outstanding comfort, extraordinary performance and exceptional value, is offered with distinctive fabrics that reflect its stylish design. Engineered for durability, RPM delivers comfort and support, especially for 24-hour work environments.

Chadwick^™. Chadwick, introduced in 2005, is an innovative hybrid seating design that accommodates the changing needs of today’s workplace and home office.

Essentials^™. Essentials, introduced in January 2006, is a traditional, tailored, practical work chair designed to offer the ergonomic comfort and traditional appeal of fully upholstered task chair at an incredible value. Essentials Work Chairs two models, the Pro^™ and Tech^™, are a comprehensive range of three task and two side chairs suitable to any office style from the traditional to the progressive. In 2007, the Sport^™model was introduced expanding the Essentials chair family. The Sport^™is a supportive, inviting work chair designed to be adaptable to any environment.

Files and Storage

Our files and storage products, featuring the Calibre and Series 2 product lines, are designed with unique features to maximize storage capabilities throughout the workplace. Our core files and storage products consist of lateral files, mobile pedestals and other storage units, bookcases and overhead storage cabinets. In 2004, the breadth of our storage products was expanded by introducing new storage towers, including wardrobe towers, bookcase towers and display towers. Knoll Calibre storage towers received a silver 2004 Best of NeoCon^® award.

The range of files and storage completes our product offering, allowing clients to address all of their furniture needs with us, especially in competitive bid situations where Knoll office systems, seating, tables and desks have been specified. The breadth of the product line also enables our dealers to offer the files and storage as stand alone products to businesses with smaller requirements.

Files and storage are available in an extensive array of sizes, configurations and colors, which can be integrated with other manufacturers’ stand-alone furniture, thereby increasing our penetration in competitor accounts. In addition, certain elements of the product line can be configured as freestanding furniture in private offices or open-plan environments.

Files and storage accounted for approximately 7.7% of our sales in 2007, 8.3% of our sales in 2006 and 7.3% of our sales in 2005.

Desks, Casegoods, and Tables

We offer collections of adjustable tables as well as meeting, conference, training, dining, and café tables for large scale projects and stand-alone desks and table desks. These items are also sold as stand-alone products through Knoll dealers to businesses with smaller requirements.

Our Interaction^™ and Upstart^™ product lines include adjustable, work, meeting, conference and training tables. These product lines range from independent tables to tables suitable for workstations that support individual preferences for computer and writing heights to plannable desks that can be linked together to build and reshape larger work areas. Additionally, Interaction tables are designed to be compatible with Dividends, Equity, Morrison and Reff office systems.

Our principal desk product lines, detailed to meet the needs of the contemporary office, offer traditional wood casegoods construction synonymous with the Knoll standard of quality. These desk product lines include: Magnusson^®, Reff^®, and The Graham Collection^® (introduced in 2007) are all designed especially to serve the day-to-day wood casegoods requirements of Knoll dealers.

Desks, Casegoods, and Tables accounted for approximately 0.4% of our sales in 2007, 0.5% of our sales in 2006 and 0.9% of our sales in 2005.

Specialty Products

Our KnollStudio^®, KnollTextiles^™, KnollExtra^®, Spinneybeck^® , and Edelman Leather^® businesses serve as a marketing and distribution umbrella for our portfolio of specialty product lines. These businesses, which represented 19% of our revenue in 2007, are our highest margin product lines and enhance our design and quality reputation.

KnollStudio is a renowned source for classic modern furniture and spirited new designs of unparalleled quality for the workplace, home, hotels, restaurants and government and educational institutions. The KnollStudio portfolio includes a range of lounge seating; side, café and dining chairs; barstools; and conference, dining and occasional tables. KnollStudio has a long history of working with celebrated architects and designers from around the world, including Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer, Eero Saarinen, Isamu Noguchi, Warren Platner, Frank Gehry, Maya Lin, Jens Risom, Kazuhide Takahama, and Ross Lovegrove. In addition, KnollStudio manufactures a collection of original furniture designs by Florence Knoll. In 2006, KnollStudio collaborated with renowned New York-based architectural firm Shelton, Mindel & Associates to produce a range of elegant lounge seating, an innovative wood side chair and a series of low tables.

In the fourth quarter of 2004, KnollStudio established Knoll Space as a formalized sales program for the retail market, making it easier for consumers to bring the best of Knoll furnishings into their home and home office. The program consists of independent specialty retailers and e-tailers nationwide that sell our iconic modern classics and selected contemporary designs as well as selected products with crossover home office appeal. Through this program we sell our KnollStudio and selected other products through approximately 50 retailers, with an aggregate of over 100 locations.

KnollTextiles, established in 1947 to create high-quality textiles for Knoll furniture, offers upholstery, panel fabrics, wall coverings and drapery that harmonize color, pattern and texture. KnollTextiles offers products for corporate, hospitality, healthcare and residential interiors. KnollTextiles products are used in the manufacture of Knoll furniture and are sold to clients for use in other manufacturers’ products. Extending KnollTextiles’ heritage of product innovation from classic upholstery to ecologically oriented panel fabrics; we introduced Imago in 2000, a product that defined an entirely new category of hard surface materials. Designers who collaborate with us on KnollTextiles include Suzanne Tick. In January 2006, KnollTextiles partnered with Toray to be the exclusive contract distributor for Ultrasuede^®fabrics in the United States, for corporate, hospitality, and healthcare applications. Ultrasuede has been used in the fashion and automotive industries for three decades due to its unique combination of luxury and performance. This partnership reflects are commitment to classic luxury and quality. Also in 2006, Knoll Textiles received two Best of NeoCon^®awards, one for KnollTextiles design director Dorothy Cosonas’s Spring 2006 Collection in the Upholstery category, and one for Suzanne Tick’s Hard Rock and Palladium in the Panel Fabric category. In 2007, Knoll Textiles received two Best of NeoCon^®awards, one for the Mira and Cyclone which are part of the Knoll Textiles Archival Collection, and one for Suzanne Tick’s new wallcovering, the Lusterware Collection.

KnollExtra offers accessories that complement Knoll office furniture products, including technology support accessories, desktop organizational tools, lighting and storage. KnollExtra integrates technology comfortably into the workplace, meeting the increased demand for flat panel monitor supports, central processing unit holders as cable management with such products as Zorro, Wishbone^™ and Rotation, which deliver adjustability and space

savings. In 2005, our portable, aluminum, ergonomic support for laptop computers Lapjack won a gold 2005 Best of NeoCon^® award. In addition we received the silver Best of NeoCon^® award for the Copeland Light^™.

Spinneybeck Enterprises, Inc. (“Spinneybeck”), our wholly owned subsidiary, offers leathers and related products, including leather rugs and wall panels. Spinneybeck supplies high-quality upholstery leather for use on Knoll furniture and for sale directly to clients, including other office furniture manufacturers, upholsterers, aviation, custom coach and boating manufacturers.

Edelman Leather, LLC. Edelman Leather LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary, which we formed to acquire Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited in October 2007, supplies fine leathers to residential, hospitality, aviation and contract office furniture markets.

Specialty products accounted for approximately 19.0% of our sales in 2007, 16.2% of our sales in 2006 and 16.6% of our sales in 2005.

European Products

Knoll Europe has a product offering that allows clients to purchase a complete office environment from a single source. In addition, we offer certain products designed specifically for the European market. In 2006, we introduced the new Wa^™ desking system. Wa^™ reinvents desks and storage through its design and construction in a linear and well proportioned modern vernacular. Our presence in the European market provides strategic positioning with clients that have international offices where they would like to maintain their Knoll facility standard. In addition to working with North American clients’ international offices, we also have a local European client base.

In Europe, the core product categories include: (i) desk systems, including the new Wa^™ desking system the KnollScope, and the PL1 system; (ii) KnollStudio; (iii) seating, including a comprehensive range of chairs; and (iv) storage units, which are designed to complement Knoll desk products.

Knoll Europe accounted for approximately 8.5% of our sales in 2007 and 7.8% of our sales in 2006 and in 2005.

Product Design and Development

Our design philosophy reflects our historical commitment to working with the preeminent industrial designers and architects to develop products that delight and inspire. By combining the designers’ creative vision with our commitment to developing products that address changing business needs, we continue to generate strong demand for our product offerings while cultivating brand loyalty among target clients. Our enviable history of nurturing design partner relationships continues to attract the world’s leading designers. In addition, these types of collaborations are consistent with our commitment to a lean organizational structure and incentive-based compensation, by utilizing a variable royalty-based fee as opposed to the fixed costs typically associated with a larger in-house design staff.

Product initiatives rely upon a New Product Commercialization Process to ensure quality and repeatability of the development process. This helps to reduce product development cycle time and improves the quality of output. We use Pro/ENGINEER^® design tools and rapid prototyping technology to reduce product design and development lead times and improve responsiveness to special requests for customized solutions. Working very closely with the designers during the early phase of development helps to ensure the most viable products that balance innovative, modern design with practical, functional style. Cross-functional teams are formed for all major development efforts with dedicated leaders to facilitate a seamless flow into manufacture and accountability on cost and schedule. Increasingly, major emphasis on total environmental impact is factored in to material selection and manufacturing process decisions.

Research and development expenses, which are expensed as incurred, were $15.9 million for 2007, $12.7 million for 2006, and $10.8 million for 2005.

Sales and Distribution

We generate sales with our direct sales force and a network of independent dealers, who jointly market and sell our products. We generally rely on these dealers to also provide a variety of important specification, installation and after-market services to our clients. Our dealers generally operate under one-year, non-exclusive agreements.

Our clients are typically Fortune 1000 companies, governmental agencies and other medium to large sized organizations in a variety of industries including education, healthcare and hospitality. Our direct sales force and independent dealers in North America work in close partnership with clients and design professionals to specify distinctive work environments. Our direct sales representatives, in conjunction with the independent dealers, sell to and call directly on key clients. Our independent dealers also call on many other medium and small sized clients to provide seamless sales support and client service. We have over $7 billion installed base of office systems, which provides a strong platform for recurring and add-on sales.

Our products and knowledgeable sales force have generated strong brand recognition and loyalty among architects, designers and corporate facility managers, all of whom are key decision makers in the office furniture purchasing process. Our strong relationships with architects and design professionals help us stay abreast of key workplace trends and position us to better meet the changing needs of clients. For example, we have invested in training all of our architect and designer specialists as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED^®”) accredited professionals to help clients better address environmental issues that arise in the design of the workplace.

We have aligned our sales force to target strategic areas of opportunity. For example, our Global Business Division was created to target competitively held accounts. We have also placed sales representatives and technical specialists into certain dealerships to support programs such as Knoll Essentials, as well as strengthened our focused seating and KnollExtra sales team with new senior leadership.

In addition to coordinating sales efforts with the sales representatives, the dealers generally handle project management, installation and maintenance for client accounts after the initial product selection and sale. Although many of these dealerships also carry products of other manufacturers, they have agreed not to act as dealers for our principal direct competitors. We have not experienced significant dealer turnover. Our dealers’ substantial commitment to understanding our product lines, and their strong relationships with us, serve to discourage dealers from changing vendor affiliations. We are not dependent on any one dealer, the largest of which accounted for less than 6.8%, 8.2% and 7.2% of our North American sales in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

We provide product training for our sales force and dealer sales representatives, who make sales calls primarily to small to medium sized businesses. As part of our commitment to building relationships with our dealer sales representatives, we introduced the Knoll Essentials program in January 2004. Knoll Essentials is a catalog program developed in response to dealer requests for a consolidated, user-friendly selling tool for day-to-day systems, seating, storage and accessory products. The Knoll Essentials program includes dealer incentives to sell our products. In 2007, the Knoll Essentials program increased dealer generated sales by $13.9 million as compared to 2006. We also employ a dedicated team of dealer sales representatives to work with our dealerships.

No single client represented more than 4.4% of our North American sales during 2007. However, a number of U.S. government agencies purchase products through multiple contracts with the General Services Administration, or GSA. Sales to U.S. government entities under the GSA contracts aggregated approximately

9.4% of our consolidated sales in 2007, with no single U.S. government order accounting for more than 2% of consolidated sales. The U.S. government typically can terminate or modify any of its contracts with us either for its convenience or if we default by failing to perform under the terms of the applicable contract.

In Europe, we sell products in largely the same manner as in North America, through a direct sales force and a network of dealers with the majority of sales coming from the United Kingdom, France and Italy, as well as export markets in the Middle East. We also sell products designed and manufactured in North America to the international operations of core clients.

Manufacturing and Operations

We operate manufacturing sites in North America, with plants located in East Greenville, Pennsylvania, Grand Rapids and Muskegon, Michigan, and Toronto, Canada. In addition, we have two plants in Italy: one in Foligno and one in Graffignana. We manufacture and assemble products to specific customer order and operate all facilities under a philosophy of continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and efficient asset utilization. All plants are registered under ISO 9000, an internationally developed set of quality criteria for manufacturing companies. Additionally, the North American plants are ISO 14001 certified, which reflects our commitment to environmentally responsible practices.

In 2006, our East Greenville location received a “Star” rating under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). A Star rating is the highest a company can obtain in OSHA’s premier partnership program and to achieve this rating our East Greenville site had to demonstrate a comprehensive safety and health process with strong management leadership, include all employees as active participants and ensure an injury rate substantially below the average for the industry. The Star rating allows us to join an elite and exclusive group of less than 1,400 companies nationwide that have demonstrated the dedication and commitment to safety.

The root of our continuous improvement efforts lies in the philosophy of lean manufacturing that drives operations. As part of this philosophy, we partner with suppliers who can supply our facilities efficiently, often with just-in-time deliveries, thus allowing us to reduce our raw materials inventory. We also utilize “Kaizen” work groups in the plants to develop best practices to minimize scrap, time and material waste at all stages of the manufacturing process. The involvement of employees at all levels ensures an organizational commitment to lean and efficient manufacturing operations.

In addition to the continued focus on enhancing the efficiency of the manufacturing operations, we also seek to reduce costs through our global sourcing effort. We have capitalized on raw material and component cost savings available through lower cost global suppliers. This broader view of potential sources of supply has enhanced our leverage with domestic supply sources, and we have been able to reduce cycle times by extracting improvements from all levels throughout the supply chain.

Raw Materials and Suppliers

The purchasing function in North America is centralized at the East Greenville facility. This centralization, and the close relationships with our primary suppliers, has enhanced our ability to realize purchasing economies of scale and implement “just-in-time” inventory practices. Steel, lumber, paper, paint, plastics, laminates, particleboard, veneers, glass, fabrics, leathers and upholstery filling material are used in the manufacturing process. Both domestic and overseas suppliers of these materials are selected based upon a variety of factors, with the price and quality of the materials and the supplier’s ability to meet delivery requirements being primary factors in such selection. We do not generally enter into any long-term supply contracts and, as a result, we are vulnerable to fluctuations in the prices for these materials. Our material costs increased by approximately $7.4 million during 2007 due to increasing market prices. In addition, in 2007, inflation impacted transportation costs by $3.1 million. The existing and ongoing global sourcing initiative and continuous improvement program,

implemented list price increases and selected additional list price increases are anticipated to offset most of these further increased material costs; however the additional impact of transportation inflation will make it more difficult for us to offset all of these costs. No supplier is the only available source for a particular component or raw material. However, because of the specialization involved with some of our components, it can take a significant amount of time, money and effort to move to an alternate source.

Competition

The office furniture market is highly competitive. Office furniture companies compete on the basis of (i) product design, including performance, ergonomic and aesthetic features, (ii) product quality and durability, (iii) relationships with clients, architects and designers, (iv) strength of dealer and distributor network, (v) on-time delivery and service performance, (vi) commitment to environmental standards by offering products that help clients achieve LEED^® certified facilities and minimize environment impact, and (vii) price. We estimate that we had an approximate 8.4% market share in the U.S. office furniture market in 2007.

Some of our competitors, especially those in North America, are large and have significantly greater financial, marketing, manufacturing and technical resources than we have. Our most significant competitors in primary markets are Herman Miller, Inc., Steelcase, Inc., Haworth, Inc. and, to a lesser extent, Allsteel, Inc., an operating unit of HNI Corporation, and Teknion Corporation. These competitors have a substantial volume of furniture installed at businesses throughout North America, providing a continual source of demand for further products and enhancements. Moreover, the products of these competitors have strong acceptance in the marketplace. Although we believe that we have been able to compete successfully in the markets to date, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so in the future.

Patents and Trademarks

We consider securing and protecting our intellectual property rights to be important to the business. We own approximately 76 active U.S. utility patents on various components used in our products and systems and approximately 70 active U.S. design patents. We also own approximately 195 patents in various foreign countries. The scope and duration of our patent protection varies throughout the world by jurisdiction and by individual product. In particular, patents for individual products extend for varying periods of time according to the date a patent application is filed, the date a patent is granted and the term of patent protection available in the jurisdiction granting the patent (generally twenty years from the date of filing in the U.S, for example). We believe that the duration of the applicable patents we are granted is adequate relative to the expected lives of our products. We own approximately 46 trademark registrations in the U.S., including registrations to the following trademarks, as well as related stylized depictions of the Knoll word mark: Knoll^®, KnollStudio^®, KnollExtra^®, Good Design Is Good Business^®, A3^®, Autostrada^®, Bulldog^®, Calibre^®, Currents^®, Dividends^®, Equity^®, Parachute^®, Propeller^®, Reff^®, RPM^®, Spinneybeck^® Upstart^®, Visor^®. We also own approximately 150 trademarks registered in foreign countries including the LIFE^® trademark which was purchased in December 2006. The scope and duration of our trademark protection varies throughout the world, with some countries protecting trademarks only as long as the mark is used, and others requiring registration of the mark and the payment of registration (generally ten years from the date of filing in the U.S., for example). In order to protect the indefinite duration, we make filings to continue registration of our trademarks.

In October 2004, we received registered trademark protection in the United States for five of our world-famous furniture designs created by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe—the Barcelona Chair, the Barcelona Stool, the Barcelona Couch, the Barcelona Table and the Flat Bar Brno Chair. This protection recognizes the renown of these designs and reflects our commitment to ensuring that when architects, furniture retailers, businesses and the public purchase a Ludwig Mies van der Rohe design, they will be purchasing the authentic product, manufactured to the designer’s historic specifications. Barcelona^® is a registered trademark in the U.S., Canada and European Community owned by Knoll, Inc.

Backlog

Our sales backlog was $190.7 million at December 31, 2007, $167.7 million at December 31, 2006 and $147.3 million at December 31, 2005. We manufacture substantially all of our products to order and expect to fill substantially all outstanding unfilled orders within the next twelve months. As such, backlog is not a significant factor used to predict our long-term business prospects.

Foreign and Domestic Operations

Our principal manufacturing operations and markets are in North America, and we also have manufacturing operations and markets in Europe. Our sales to clients and net property, plant and equipment are summarized by geographic areas below. Sales to clients are attributed to the geographic areas based on the point of sale.


	United States		Canada		Europe		Consolidated
	(in thousands)
2007
Sales to clients	$	926,018	$	36,739	$	93,057	$	1,055,814
Property, plant and equipment, net		85,824		41,394		16,425		143,643

2006
Sales to clients	$	870,713	$	33,216	$	78,223	$	982,152
Property, plant and equipment, net		88,105		35,513		14,111		137,729

2005
Sales to clients	$	715,453	$	29,490	$	63,017	$	807,960
Property, plant and equipment, net		95,074		35,070		12,022		142,166

Environmental Matters

We believe that we are substantially in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for the protection of the environment and the health and safety of our employees based upon existing facts presently known to us. Compliance with federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations relating to the discharge of substances into the environment, the disposal of hazardous wastes and other related activities has had and will continue to have an impact on our operations, but has, since 1990, been accomplished without having a material adverse effect on our operations. There can be no assurance that such laws and regulations will not change in the future or that we will not incur significant costs as a result of such laws and regulations. We have trained staff responsible for monitoring compliance with environmental, health and safety requirements. Our goal is to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate the creation of hazardous waste in our manufacturing processes. While it is difficult to estimate the timing and ultimate costs to be incurred due to uncertainties about the status of laws, regulations and technology, based on information currently known to management, we do not expect environmental costs or contingencies to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The operation of manufacturing plants entails risks in these areas, however, and we cannot be certain that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in the future which could adversely affect our operations.

We have been identified as a potentially responsible party pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, or “CERCLA”, for remediation costs associated with waste disposal sites previously used by us. CERCLA can impose liability for costs to investigate and remediate contamination without regard to fault or the legality of disposal and, under certain circumstances, liability may be joint and several resulting in one responsible party being held responsible for the entire obligation. Liability may also include damages for harm to natural resources. The remediation costs and our allocated share at some of these CERCLA sites are unknown. We may also be subject to claims for personal injury or contribution relating to CERCLA sites. We would reserve amounts for such matters when expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable.

Employees

As of December 31, 2007, we employed a total of 4,286 people, consisting of 3,037 hourly and 1,249 salaried employees. The Grand Rapids, Michigan plant is the only unionized plant within the U.S. and has an agreement with the Carpenters Union, Local 1615, of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Affiliate of the Carpenters Industrial Council (the Union), covering approximately 417 hourly employees. The Collective Bargaining Agreement expires August 27, 2011. From time to time, there have been unsuccessful efforts to unionize at our other North American locations. We believe that relations with our employees throughout North America are good. Nonetheless, it is possible that our employees may continue attempts to unionize. Certain workers in the facilities in Italy are also represented by unions. We have experienced brief work stoppages from time to time at our plants in Italy, none of which have exceeded eight hours. Work stoppages are relatively common occurrences at many Italian manufacturing plants and are usually related to national or local issues. We had one such work stoppage in 2007, with a duration of 8 hours. None of these work stoppages were unique to us, and these work stoppages have not materially affected our performance.

Available Information

Our 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 Relations” section of our website at www.knoll.com, as soon as practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

Risks Related to our Business

Our product sales are tied to corporate spending and service-sector employment, which are outside of our control. Our sales and/or growth in sales would be adversely affected by a recessionary economy characterized by decreased corporate spending and service-sector employment.

Our sales are significantly impacted by the level of corporate spending primarily in North America, which, in turn, is a function of the general economic environment. In a recessionary economy, service-sector employment, corporate cash flows and non-residential commercial construction decrease, which typically leads to a decrease in demand for office furniture. In addition, a recessionary economy may also result in saturation of the market by “just new” used office systems, leading to a decrease in demand. Sales of office systems, which have historically accounted for more than half of our revenues, represent longer term and higher cost investments for our clients. As a result, sales of office systems are more severely impacted by decreases in corporate spending than sales of seating, files and storage and casegoods, and demand for office systems typically takes longer to respond to an economic recovery.

Geopolitical uncertainties, terrorist attacks, acts of war, natural disasters, increases in energy and other costs or combinations of such and other factors that are outside of our control could at any time have a significant effect on the North American economy, and, therefore, our business. The occurrence of any of these or similar events in the future could result in downward pressure on the economy, which we would expect to cause demand for our products to decline and competitive pricing pressures to increase.

We may have difficulty increasing or maintaining our prices as a result of price competition, which could lower our profit margins. Our competitors may develop new product designs that give them an advantage over us in making future sales.

Office furniture companies compete on the basis of, among other things, price and product design. Since our competitors offer products that are similar to ours, we face significant price competition from our competitors, which tends to intensify during an industry downturn. This price competition impacts our ability to implement price increases or, in some cases, such as during an industry downturn, maintain prices, which could lower our profit margins. Additionally, our competitors may develop new product designs that achieve a high level of customer acceptance, which could give them a competitive advantage over us in making future sales.

Our efforts to introduce new products that meet customer and workplace requirements may not be successful, which could limit our sales growth or cause our sales to decline.

To keep pace with workplace trends, such as changes in workplace design and increases in the use of technology, and with evolving regulatory and industry requirements, including environmental, health, safety and similar standards for the workplace and for product performance, we must periodically introduce new products. The introduction of new products requires the coordination of the design, manufacturing and marketing of such products, which may be affected by factors beyond our control. The design and engineering of certain of our new products can take up to a year or more, and further time may be required to achieve client acceptance. In addition, we may face difficulties in introducing new products if we cannot successfully align ourselves with independent architects and designers who are able to design, in a timely manner, high quality products consistent with our image. Accordingly, the launch of any particular product may be later or less successful than originally anticipated by us. Difficulties or delays in introducing new products or lack of customer acceptance of new products could limit our sales growth or cause our sales to decline.

We may not be able to manage our business effectively if we are unable to retain our experienced management team or recruit other key personnel.

The success of our operations is highly dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and upon the ability of our senior management and other key employees to implement our business strategy. We believe there are only a limited number of qualified executives in the industry in which we compete. We rely substantially upon the services of Andrew B. Cogan, our Chief Executive Officer. The loss of the services of Mr. Cogan or other key members of our management team could seriously harm our efforts to successfully implement our business strategy.

While we currently maintain key person life insurance policy with respect to Mr. Cogan, this insurance may not be sufficient to compensate us for any harm to our business resulting from loss of his services. The inability to attract and retain other talented personnel could also affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy.

We are dependent on the pricing and availability of raw materials and components, and price increases and unavailability of raw materials and components could lower sales, increase our cost of goods sold and reduce our profits and margins.

We require substantial amounts of raw materials, which we purchase from outside sources. Steel, plastics and wood related materials are the main raw materials used in the manufacturing of our products. The prices and availability of raw materials are subject to change or curtailment due to, among other things, the supply of, and demand for, such raw materials, changes in laws or regulations, including duties and tariffs, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers, interruptions in production by raw materials or component parts suppliers, changes in currency exchange rates and worldwide price levels.

The price of steel and plastics, the latter of which is sensitive to the cost of oil, has significantly increased in recent years. To date, we have been successful in largely offsetting these recent price increases in raw materials through our global sourcing initiatives, primarily from China, Taiwan, Italy and Germany, through our continuous improvement programs and through price increases to our products. However, if the prices of these raw materials continue to increase, we may be unable to continue to offset any further increased costs and our profit margins could be negatively affected.

Although no supplier is the only available source for a particular component or raw material, some of our products and components are extremely specialized and, therefore, it can take a significant amount of time and money to move from one supply source to another. In addition, contracts with most of our suppliers are short-term contracts. These suppliers may not continue to provide raw materials and components to us at attractive prices or at all, and we may not be able to obtain the raw material we need in the future from these or other providers on the scale and within the time frames we require. Moreover, we do not carry significant inventories of raw materials, components or finished goods that could mitigate an interruption or delay in the availability of raw materials and components. Any failure to obtain raw materials and components on a timely basis, or any significant delays or interruptions in the supply of raw materials or components, could prevent us from being able to manufacture products ordered by our clients in a timely fashion, which could have a negative impact on our reputation and our dealership network, and could cause our sales to decline.

We are affected by the cost of energy and increases in energy prices could reduce our margins and profits.

The profitability of our operations is sensitive to the cost of energy through our transportation costs, the cost of petroleum-based materials, like plastics, and the cost of operating our manufacturing facilities. Energy costs have increased in the recent years due to changes in global supply and demand. Although we have been successful in countering these recent energy price increases, primarily through our global sourcing initiatives and continuous improvement programs, we may not be able to continue to offset such costs at current price levels, or

if these prices continue to increase. If the price of petroleum-based products, the cost of operating our manufacturing facilities or our transportation costs continue to increase, it could have a negative impact on our gross margins and profitability.

We rely upon independent furniture dealers, and a loss of a significant number of dealers could affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on a network of independent dealers for the joint marketing of our products to small and mid-sized accounts, and to assist us in the marketing of our products to large accounts. We also rely upon these dealers to provide a variety of important specification, installation and after-market services to our clients. Our dealers operate, generally, under one-year, non-exclusive agreements. There is nothing to prevent our dealers from terminating their relationships with us. In addition, individual dealers may not continue to be viable and profitable. If dealers go out of business or are restructured, we may suffer losses because they may not be able to pay us for furniture previously delivered to them. The loss of a dealer relationship could also negatively affect our ability to maintain market share in the affected geographic market and to compete for and service clients in that market until a new dealer relationship is established. Establishing a viable dealer in a market can take a significant amount of time and resources. The loss or termination of a significant number of dealer relationships could cause significant difficulties for us in marketing and distributing our products, resulting in a decline in our sales.

One of our largest clients currently is the U.S. government, a relationship, which is subject to uncertain future funding levels and federal procurement laws and requires restrictive contract terms; any of these factors could curtail current or future business.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, we derived approximately 9.4% of our revenue from sales to various agencies and departments within the U.S. government. Our ability to compete successfully for and retain business with the U.S. government is highly dependent on cost-effective performance. Until recently, federal procurement laws required government agencies to purchase furniture products from Federal Prison Industries, Incorporated. If these or similar laws would be re-instituted, it would make it more difficult for us to sell our furniture to agencies and departments of the U.S. government. Our government business is also sensitive to changes in national and international priorities and U.S. government budgets.

The U.S. government typically can terminate or modify its contracts with us either for its convenience or if we default by failing to perform under the terms of the applicable contract. A termination arising out of our default could expose us to liability and impede our ability to compete in the future for contracts and orders. Furthermore, if we were found to have committed fraud or certain criminal offenses, we could be suspended or debarred from all further government contracting.

We operate with leverage, and a significant amount of cash will be required to service our indebtedness. Restrictions imposed by the terms of our indebtedness may limit our operating and financial flexibility.

As of December 31, 2007, we had total consolidated outstanding debt of approximately $368.6 million, which consisted of $368.0 million under our revolving credit facility and $0.6 million under local credit facilities maintained by our foreign subsidiaries. We also had $3.5 million outstanding commitments under letters of credit.

Our existing revolving credit facility permits us to borrow up to $500.0 million. However, we are permitted to expand our revolving credit facility by an additional $200.0 million, subject to certain limitations and satisfaction of certain conditions, including compliance with certain financial covenants.

As of December 31, 2007, the total remaining credit available to us under our credit facility and those of our foreign subsidiaries was $138.1 million. If we were to borrow the maximum available to us under our credit

facility and those of our foreign subsidiaries, we would have total consolidated outstanding debt of approximately $506.7 million. The high level of our indebtedness could have important consequences to holders of our common stock, given that:

•

a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to fund scheduled payments of principal and debt service and will not be available for other purposes;

•

our ability to obtain additional debt financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development or acquisitions may be limited by the terms of our credit facility; and

•

the terms of our credit facility also impose other operating and financial restrictions on us, which could limit our flexibility in reacting to changes in our industry or in economic conditions generally.

Our revolving credit facility prevents us and our subsidiaries from incurring any additional indebtedness other than (i) borrowings under our existing revolving credit facility; (ii) certain types of indebtedness that may be incurred subject to aggregate dollar limitations identified in the credit facility, including, without limitation, purchase money indebtedness and capital lease obligations, indebtedness incurred in connection with a permitted acquisition, and loans obtained through an expansion of the facility, all of which cannot exceed $250.0 million at any time, and (iii) other types of indebtedness that are not limited to specific dollar limitations, such as indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business and unsecured, subordinated indebtedness. The aggregate amount of indebtedness that we may incur pursuant to these exceptions is further limited by the financial covenants in our revolving credit facility and, therefore, will depend on our future results of operations and cannot be determined at this time. Furthermore, although we may incur unlimited amounts of certain types of indebtedness, subject to compliance with these financial covenants, the amount of indebtedness that we may actually be able to incur will depend on the terms on which such types of debt financing are available to us, if available at all.

As a result of the foregoing, we may be prevented from engaging in transactions that might further our growth strategy or otherwise be considered beneficial to us. A breach of any of the covenants in our revolving credit facility could result in a default thereunder. If payments to the lenders under our revolving credit facility were to be accelerated, our assets could be insufficient to repay in full the indebtedness under our credit facility and our other liabilities. Any such acceleration could also result in a foreclosure on all or substantially all of our subsidiaries’ assets, which would have a negative impact on the value of our common stock and jeopardize our ability to continue as a going concern.

We may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available or may be available only on unfavorable terms.

Our capital requirements depend on many factors, including capital improvements, tooling and new product development. To the extent that our existing capital is insufficient to meet these requirements and cover any losses, we may need to raise additional funds through financings or curtail our growth and reduce our assets. Any equity or debt financing, if available at all, may be on terms that are not favorable to us. Equity financings could result in dilution to our stockholders, and the securities may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our common stock. If our need for capital arises because of significant losses, the occurrence of these losses may make it more difficult for us to raise the necessary capital.

An inability to protect our intellectual property could have a significant impact on our business.

We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights, both in the United States and in foreign countries, through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as licensing agreements and third-party nondisclosure and assignment agreements. Because of the differences in foreign trademark, patent and other laws concerning proprietary rights, our intellectual property rights do not generally receive the same degree of protection in foreign countries as they do in the United States. In some parts of the world, we have limited protections, if any, for our intellectual property. Our ability to compete effectively with our competitors

depends, to a significant extent, on our ability to maintain the proprietary nature of our intellectual property. The degree of protection offered by the claims of the various patents, trademarks and service marks may not be broad enough to provide significant proprietary protection or competitive advantages to us, and patents, trademarks or service marks may not be issued on our pending or contemplated applications. In addition, not all of our products are covered by patents. It is also possible that our patents, trademarks and service marks may be challenged, invalidated, cancelled, narrowed or circumvented.

In the past, certain of our products have been copied and sold by others. We try to enforce our intellectual property rights, but we have to make choices about where and how we pursue enforcement and where we seek and maintain patent protection. In many cases, the cost of enforcing our rights is substantial, and we may determine that the costs of enforcement outweigh the potential benefits. If we are unable to maintain the proprietary nature of our intellectual property with respect to our significant current or proposed products, our competitors may be able to sell copies of our products, which could adversely affect our ability to sell our original products and could also result in competitive pricing pressures, which may negatively affect or profitability.

If third parties claim that we infringe upon their intellectual property rights, we may incur liability and costs and may have to redesign or discontinue an infringing product.

We face the risk of claims that we have infringed third parties’ intellectual property rights. Companies operating in our industry routinely seek patent protection for their product designs, and many of our principal competitors have large patent portfolios. Prior to launching major new products in our key markets, we normally evaluate existing intellectual property rights. However, our competitors may have filed for patent protection which is not, at the time of our evaluation, a matter of public knowledge. Our efforts to identify and avoid infringing third parties’ intellectual property rights may not be successful. Any claims of patent or other intellectual property infringement, even those without merit, could (i) be expensive and time consuming to defend; (ii) cause us to cease making, licensing or using products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property; (iii) require us to redesign, reengineer, or rebrand our products or packaging, if feasible; or (iv) require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property.

We could be required to incur substantial costs to comply with environmental requirements. Violations of, and liabilities under, environmental laws and regulations may increase our costs or require us to change our business practices.

Our past and present ownership and operation of manufacturing plants are subject to extensive and changing federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to discharges to air, water and land, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and the cleanup of properties affected by hazardous substances. As a result, we are involved from time to time in administrative and judicial proceedings and inquiries relating to environmental matters and could become subject to fines or penalties related thereto. We cannot predict what environmental legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future, how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted or what environmental conditions may be found to exist. Compliance with more stringent laws or regulations, or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may require additional expenditures by us, some of which may be material. We have been identified as a potentially responsible party pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, or CERCLA, for remediation costs associated with waste disposal sites previously used by us. In general, CERCLA can impose liability for costs to investigate and remediate contamination without regard to fault or the legality of disposal and, under certain circumstances, liability may be joint and several, resulting in one party being held responsible for the entire obligation. Liability may also include damages for harm to natural resources. The remediation costs and our allocated share at some of these CERCLA sites are unknown. We may also be subject to claims for personal injury or contribution relating to CERCLA sites. We reserve amounts for such matters when expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable.

We are subject to potential labor disruptions, which could have a significant impact on our business.

Certain of our employees located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Italy are represented by unions. The collective bargaining agreement for our Grand Rapids location expires August 27, 2011. We have also had sporadic, to date unsuccessful, attempts to unionize our other North American manufacturing locations and have experienced a number of brief work stoppages at our facilities in Italy as a result of national and local issues. While we believe that we have good relations with our workforce, we may experience work stoppages or other labor problems in the future, and further unionization efforts may be successful. Any prolonged work stoppage could have an adverse effect on our reputation, our vendor relations and our dealership network. Moreover, because substantially all of our products are manufactured to order, we do not carry finished goods inventory that could mitigate the effects of a prolonged work stoppage.

Our insurance may not adequately insulate us from expenses for product defects.

We maintain product liability and other insurance coverage that we believe to be generally in accordance with industry practices, but our insurance coverage does not extend to field visits to repair, retrofit or replace defective products, or to product recalls. As a result, our insurance coverage may not be adequate to protect us fully against substantial claims and costs that may arise from product defects, particularly if we have a large number of defective products that we must repair, retrofit, replace or recall.

We may be vulnerable to the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations, which could increase our expenses.

We primarily sell our products and report our financial results in U.S. dollars, but we generate some of our revenues and pay some of our expenses in other currencies. Paying our expenses in other currencies can result in a significant increase or decrease in the amount of those expenses in U.S. dollar terms, which affects our profits.

In the future, any foreign currency appreciation relative to the U.S. dollar would increase our expenses that are denominated in that currency. Additionally, as we report currency in the U.S. dollar, our financial position is affected by the strength of the currencies in countries where we have operations relative to the strength of the U.S. dollar. The principal foreign currencies in which we conduct business are the Canadian dollar and the Euro. Approximately 12.3% of our revenues in 2007 and 38.5% of our cost of goods sold in 2007 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. From time to time we review our foreign currency exposure and evaluate whether we should enter into hedging transactions.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

Our corporate documents and Delaware law contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition involving us that our stockholders may consider favorable. For example, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock. Without stockholder approval, the board of directors has the authority to attach special rights, including voting and dividend rights, to this preferred stock. With these rights, preferred stockholders could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for a staggered board of directors, whereby directors serve for three-year terms, with approximately one third of the directors coming up for reelection each year. Having a staggered board will make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of our board of directors through a proxy contest, which may be a necessary step in an acquisition of us that is not favored by our board of directors.

We are also subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under these provisions, if anyone becomes an “interested stockholder,” we may not enter into a “business

combination” with that person for three years without special approval, which could discourage a third party from making a takeover offer and could delay or prevent a change of control. For purposes of Section 203, “interested stockholder” means, generally, someone owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or an affiliate of ours that owned 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock during the past three years, subject to certain exceptions as described in Section 203. Upon any change in control, the lenders under our revolving credit facility would have the right to require us to repay all of our outstanding obligations under the facility.

Our stock price may be volatile, and your investment in our common stock could suffer a decline in value.

There has been significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of equity securities, which may be unrelated to the financial performance of the companies issuing the securities. These broad market fluctuations may negatively affect the market price of our common stock. You may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price at which you purchased them due to fluctuations in the market price of our common stock caused by changes in our operating performance or prospects and other factors. Some specific factors that may have a significant effect on our common stock market price include:

•

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results or future prospects;

•

our announcements or our competitors’ announcements of new products;

•

the public’s reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;

•

strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;

•

new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business;

•

changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

•

changes in our growth rates or our competitors’ growth rates;

•

our inability to raise additional capital;

•

conditions of the office furniture industry as a result of changes in financial markets or general economic conditions, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism and responses to such events;

•

sales of common stock by us or members of our management team; and

•

changes in stock market analyst recommendations or earnings estimates regarding our common stock, other comparable companies or the office furniture industry generally.

ITEM 1B.

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

We operate over 2,986,000 square feet of facilities, including manufacturing plants, warehouses and sales offices. Of these facilities, we own approximately 2,236,000 square feet and lease approximately 750,000 square feet. Our manufacturing plants are located in East Greenville, Pennsylvania, Grand Rapids and Muskegon, Michigan, Toronto, Canada, and Foligno and Graffignana, Italy. The location, square footage, and use of the facilities as of December 31, 2007 are shown below.


Owned Locations	Square Footage	Use
East Greenville, Pennsylvania	547,000 (1)	Corporate Headquarters, Manufacturing, Warehouses, and Administration
Grand Rapids, Michigan	545,000 (1)	Manufacturing and Administration
Muskegon, Michigan	368,000 (1)	Manufacturing and Administration
Toronto, Canada	408,000	Manufacturing, Distribution, Warehouses, and Administration
Foligno, Italy	258,000	Manufacturing, Distribution, Warehouses, and Administration
Graffignana, Italy	110,000	Manufacturing, Distribution, Warehouses, and Administration

Leased Locations	Square Footage	Use
East Greenville, Pennsylvania	142,000 (2)	Warehouses, Distribution
Muskegon, Michigan	105,000	Manufacturing
Toronto, Canada	170,000	Manufacturing, Warehouses, and Administration
Knoll, Europe	44,000	Administration, Warehouses
Edelman Leather, Connecticut	51,000	Manufacturing and Administration
Miscellaneous Showrooms	238,000	Sales Offices

(1)	Facilities are encumbered by mortgages securing indebtedness under our revolving credit facility.

(2)	These are three warehouses that have been subleased to a third party logistics provider and serve as our northeast distribution center.

We believe that our plants and other facilities are sufficient for our needs for the foreseeable future.

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we are subject to litigation or other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Based upon information currently known to us, we believe the outcome of such proceedings will not have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders in the fourth quarter of 2007.

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information and Dividend Policy

Our common stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) since December 14, 2004, the date of our initial public offering, under the symbol “KNL.” As of February 22, 2008, there were approximately 63 stockholders of record of our common stock.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, high and low sales prices for the common stock as reported by the NYSE.


	High		Low
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
First quarter	$	23.90	$	19.92
Second quarter	$	24.90	$	22.21
Third quarter	$	23.53	$	16.38
Fourth quarter	$	19.24	$	15.80

	High		Low
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
First quarter	$	22.00	$	16.11
Second quarter	$	22.95	$	17.93
Third quarter	$	20.45	$	16.78
Fourth quarter	$	22.38	$	19.06

We declared and paid cash dividends of $0.45 per share and $0.41 per share during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Our board of directors currently intends to declare and pay quarterly dividends of $0.12 per share on our common stock. However, the declaration and payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and depends on various factors, including our net income, financial condition, cash requirements and future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. Our revolving credit facility imposes restrictions on our ability to pay dividends, and thus our ability to pay dividends on our common stock will depend upon, among other things, our level of indebtedness at the time of the proposed dividend and whether we are in default under any of our debt obligations. Our ability to pay dividends will also depend on the requirements of any future financing agreements to which we may be a party.

Performance Graph

The following line graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poors’ 500 Stock Index and with the cumulative total return on a peer group of companies selected by us for the period commencing on December 14, 2004, the date our shares began trading publicly, and ending on December 31, 2007. Our share price at the beginning of the measurement period is $15.00 per share, the price in our initial public offering. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested on December 14, 2004 in each of our common stock and the stock of our peer group, and on November 30, 2004 in the S&P 500 Index, and that all dividends were reinvested. Cumulative total stockholder returns for our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, and the stock of our peer group are based on our fiscal year. Our peer group is made up of two publicly-held manufacturers of office furniture, Herman Miller, Inc. and Steelcase, Inc. The stock performance on the graph below does not necessarily indicate future price performance.

LOGO


	12/14/2004	12/31/2004	12/31/2005	12/31/2006	12/31/2007
Knoll, Inc.	100.00	116.67	115.69	151.92	116.07
S&P 500	100.00	103.40	108.48	125.62	132.52
Peer Group	100.00	109.18	117.06	147.36	138.29

*	The performance graph should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, unless we specifically incorporate the performance graph by reference therein.

Repurchases of Equity Securities

The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during the three months ended December 31, 2007.

On August 17, 2005, our board of directors approved a stock repurchase program (the “Options Proceeds Program”), whereby they authorized us to purchase shares of our common stock in the open market using the cash proceeds received by us upon exercise of outstanding options.

On February 2, 2006, our board of directors approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to purchase up to $50.0 million of our common stock in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise.


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share	Total Number of Shares Purchased as part of publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that may yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1) (5)
October 1, 2007—October 31, 2007	9,589	18.12	9,589	(2)	34,752,320	(5)
November 1, 2007—November 30, 2007	657,331	16.50	657,331	(3)	24,444,280	(5)
December 1, 2007—December 31, 2007	421,009	16.75	421,009	(4)	17,460,956	(5)

Total	1,087,929		1,087,929

(1)

There is no limit on the number or value of shares that may be purchased by us under the Options Proceeds Program. Under our $50.0 million stock repurchase program we are only authorized to spend an aggregate of $50.0 million on stock repurchases. There is no scheduled expiration date for the Options Proceeds Program or the $50.0 million stock repurchase program, but our board of directors may terminate either program at anytime in the future.

(2)	These shares were purchased under the Options Proceeds Program.

(3)	31,231 of these shares were purchased under the Options Proceeds Program and 626,100 of these shares were purchased under our $50.0 million stock repurchase program approved by our board of directors on February 2, 2006.

(4)	4,343 of these shares were purchased under the Options Proceeds Program and 416,666 of these shares were purchased under our $50.0 million stock repurchase program approved by our board of directors on February 2, 2006.

(5)	On February 4, 2008, our board of directors expanded our previously authorized $50.0 million stock repurchase program by an additional $50.0 million. As of February 4, 2008, we had approximately $67.0 million authorized under this stock repurchase program.

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and as of December 31, 2006 and 2007 are derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 and as of December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 are derived from our audited financial statements not included in this Form 10-K.


	Years Ended December 31,
	2003			2004			2005			2006		2007
	(dollars in thousands, except shares and per share data)
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Sales	$	697,246		$	706,390		$	807,960		$	982,152	$	1,055,814
Cost of sales		460,911			465,379			535,904			663,115		690,689

Gross profit		236,335			241,011			272,056			319,037		365,125
Selling, general and administrative expenses		149,739			169,706			179,217			202,097		222,937

Operating income		86,596			71,305			92,839			116,940		142,188
Interest Expense		20,229			19,452			23,684			23,717		24,598
Other (expense) income, net		(2,473	)		(5,316	)		(5,355	)		741		(4,651	)

Income before income tax expense		63,894			46,537			63,800			93,964		112,939
Income tax expense		27,545			19,793			27,891			35,331		41,496

Net income	$	36,349		$	26,744		$	35,909		$	58,633	$	71,443


Per Share Data:
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.78		$	0.58		$	0.70		$	1.18	$	1.48
Diluted	$	0.75		$	0.55		$	0.68		$	1.14	$	1.45
Cash dividends declared per share	$	—		$	1.525		$	0.25		$	0.41	$	0.45
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic		46,317,530			46,353,253			51,219,123			49,606,677		48,239,189
Diluted		48,414,374			48,319,483			52,919,388			51,238,088		49,248,902

	As of December 31,
	2003			2004			2005			2006		2007
	(in thousands)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Working (deficit) capital	$	(28,238	)	$	67,492		$	63,993		$	77,170	$	86,453
Total assets		561,001			574,239			582,546			632,137		717,442
Total long-term debt, including current portion		380,871			392,858			316,038			350,316		368,576
Total liabilities		569,120			595,584			544,830			627,753		642,721
Stockholders’ (deficit) equity		(8,119	)		(21,345	)		37,716			4,384		74,721

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations provides an account of our financial performance and financial condition that should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.

Overview

The fourth quarter of 2007 completed a very successful year for Knoll. In 2007, we experienced sales climbing past the $1.0 billion mark and we were able to deliver more than 20% growth in earnings per share. This year we also continued to expand our industry leading margins and generated better than industry top-line growth. In the fourth quarter of 2007, we increased our dividend from $0.11 per share to $0.12 per share. Net sales for the year were $1.05 billion, an increase of 7.5% over 2006. Operating income and net income were $142.2 million and $71.4 million, an increase of 21.6% and 21.8%, respectively, over the full year 2006. Diluted earnings per share rose from $1.14 in 2006 to $1.45 in 2007, an increase of 27.2%.

During 2007, our gross margins expanded 210 basis points from 32.5% in 2006 to 34.6% in 2007. The increase in gross margin was attributable to additional volume, better pricing, and moderating raw material and transportation inflation. Improved factory performance and our global sourcing initiatives also contributed to the increase. In addition, we were able to achieve this gross margin increase despite the negative foreign exchange from the appreciation of the Canadian Dollar.

In 2007, we continued to work to increase our share in non-systems categories. Over the past several years we have actively expanded our product lines in these categories to help us pursue a larger share of the market for these goods. We have successfully been selling to our office systems clients and securing stand-alone opportunities for the sales of seating, files and storage, and casegoods. Our Specialty businesses continue to offer a wide range of products and accessories for our customers. In 2002, we introduced the award winning and commercially successful LIFE chair to drive our growth in the seating category and compete in the high-performance work chair market. In 2004, we introduced the Knoll Essentials collection of easy-to-order, best-selling products from our broad range of office furnishings and quadrupled our storage offering. During 2005, we increased the pace of our new product introductions for our Knoll Textiles collection of upholstery, panel fabrics, wall coverings and drapery and continued to expand our retail distribution network for our KnollStudio collection of chairs, barstools, lounge seating, conference, dining and occasional tables to take advantage of increased consumer interest in modern and mid-century design, showcase our design strength and broaden recognition of the Knoll brand. We introduced our Chadwick chair in 2005 and introduced our Essentials chair collection in January 2006. In October, 2007 we acquired Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited as a compliment to our specialty businesses. Edelman Leather supplies fine leathers to residential, hospitality, aviation and contract office furniture markets. With the expansion of our product offerings either through product development or strategic acquisitions we have successfully been reducing our reliance on sales from office systems alone. Geographically we are also continuing to pursue opportunities for expansion outside of North American in Europe and beyond. We see these areas as having the greatest potential for growth in 2008.

This year we amended our credit facility in order to give us more financial flexibility to pursue opportunities of share buybacks, strategic acquisitions, or increased dividends. The refinancing of this new $500.0 million revolving credit facility was completed on June 29, 2007. During the year we were able to acquire Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited, buy back 2.26 million shares, and increase our dividend to $0.12 in the fourth quarter of 2007. We accomplished all of this while simultaneously decreasing our leverage ratio during 2007. Since the end of 2006, our debt has only increased by $18.3 million.

Annual cash generated from operations in 2007 was $102.2 million, compared to $77.5 million the year before. Capital expenditures in 2007 totaled $16.3 million compared to $13.4 million for 2006. Investing

activities also included $70.8 million for the acquisition of Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited. In addition, we spent $48.1 million on stock repurchases during the year and paid $21.7 million in dividends to our stockholders.

Overall, our strong performance in 2007 enhanced our ability to invest in initiatives that drive top-line growth and improve our margins.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of certain contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from such estimates. We believe that the critical accounting policies that follow are those policies that require the most judgment, estimation and assumption in preparing our consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our clients and dealers to make required payments. The allowance is determined through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and assessments of risk that are based on historical trends and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. We evaluate the past-due status of our trade receivables based on contractual terms of sale. If the financial condition of our clients and dealers were to deteriorate, additional allowances may be required. Accounts receivable are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when we determine that recovery is unlikely.

Inventory

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. We write down inventory that, in our judgment, is impaired or obsolete. Obsolescence may be caused by the discontinuance of a product line, changes in product material specifications, replacement products in the marketplace and other competitive influences.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of goodwill, trademarks and deferred financing fees. Goodwill is recorded at the amount by which cost exceeds the net assets of acquired businesses, and all other intangible assets are recorded at cost. Goodwill and other intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually rather than being amortized.

On December 19, 2006, we purchased certain intangibles as an investment in our seating line. A definite useful life was assigned to these intangibles and, as such, amortization will be recorded over the economic life of the intangibles in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

On October 1, 2007, in combination with the acquisition of Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited, we acquired certain intangible assets related to a trade name, non-compete agreement and customer relationships. The trade name was valued at $26.0 million and it will be tested annually for impairment. The non–compete agreement and customer relationships intangibles were valued at $0.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively. These were assigned definite useful lives and, as such, amortization will be recorded over the economic life of the intangibles in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

Deferred financing costs that are incurred by us in connection with the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the life of the underlying indebtedness. The period of these costs maybe shortened if the underlying indebtedness is modified or retired.

Product Warranty

We provide for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. While we engage in product quality programs and processes, our warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates and by material usage and service costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Cost estimates are based on historical product failure rates and identified one-time fixes for each specific product category. Warranty cost generally varies in direct relation to sales volume, as such costs tend to be a consistent percentage of revenue. Should actual costs differ from original estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.

Employee Benefits

We are partially self-insured for our employee health benefits. We accrue for employee health benefit obligations based on an actuarial valuation. The actuarial valuation is based upon historical claims as well as a number of assumptions, including rates of inflation for medical costs, and benefit plan changes. Actual results could be materially different from the estimates used.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

We sponsor two defined benefit pension plans and two other postretirement benefit plans that cover substantially all of our U.S. employees. Several statistical and other factors, which attempt to anticipate future events, are used in calculating the expense and liability related to the plans. Key factors include assumptions about the expected rates of return on plan assets, discount rates, and health care cost trend rates, as determined by us, within certain guidelines. We consider market conditions, including changes in investment returns and interest rates, in making these assumptions.

We determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets based on aggregating the expected rates of return for each component of the plan’s asset mix. We use historic plan asset returns combined with current market conditions to estimate the rate of return. The expected rate of return on plan assets is a long-term assumption and generally does not change annually. The discount rate reflects the market rate for high-quality fixed income debt instruments as of our annual measurement date and is subject to change each year. Holding all other assumptions constant, a one-percentage-point increase or decrease in the assumed rate of return on plan assets would decrease or increase 2007 net periodic pension expense by approximately $0.8 million. Likewise, a one percentage point increase or decrease in the discount rate would decrease or increase 2007 net periodic pension expense by approximately $2.5 million or $4.2 million, respectively.

Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses are recognized over the expected remaining service life of the employee group. Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses arise from several factors, including experience and assumption changes with respect to the obligations and from the difference between expected returns and actual returns on plan assets. These unrecognized gain and losses are systematically recognized as a change in future net periodic pension expense in accordance with FASB Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) (“SFAS 158”).

Key assumptions we use in determining the amount of the obligation and expense recorded for postretirement benefits other than pensions (“OPEB”), under FASB Statement No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, include the assumed discount rate and the assumed rate of increases in future health care costs. The discount rate we use to determine the obligation for these benefits matches the discount rate used in determining our pension obligations in each year presented. In estimating the health care cost trend rate, we consider actual health care cost experience, future benefit structures, industry

trends and advice from our actuaries. We assume that the relative increase in health care costs will generally trend downward over the next several years, reflecting assumed increases in efficiency in the health care system and industry-wide cost containment initiatives. At December 31, 2007, the expected rate of increase in future health care costs was 8% in determining the benefit obligation for 2008 and 9% in determining the net periodic benefit cost for 2007. The rate was then assumed to decrease 1.0% per year to an ultimate rate of 5% for 2012 and thereafter for the benefit obligation. Increasing the assumed health care cost trend by one percentage point in each year would increase the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2007, by $3.2 million and increase the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for 2007 by approximately $0.2 million. Decreasing the assumed health care cost trend rate by one percentage point in each year would decrease the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2007 by approximately $2.6 million and decrease the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for 2007 by approximately $0.2 million.

In accordance with SFAS 158, we recognized in our statement of financial position the funded status (i.e. the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation) of our defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans. To record the unfunded status of our plans we recorded an additional liability and an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.

The actuarial assumptions we use in determining our pension and OPEB retirement benefits may differ materially from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates, or longer or shorter life spans of participants. While we believe that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may materially affect our financial position or results of operations.

Commitments and Contingencies

We establish reserves for the estimated cost of environmental and legal contingencies when such expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable. A significant amount of judgment and use of estimates is required to quantify our ultimate exposure in these matters. We engage outside experts as deemed necessary or appropriate to assist in the evaluation of exposure. From time to time, as information becomes available regarding changes in circumstances for ongoing issues as well as information regarding emerging issues, our potential liability is reassessed and reserve balances are adjusted as necessary. Revisions to our estimates of potential liability, and actual expenditures related to environmental and legal contingencies, could have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“SFAS No. 109”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be recognized.

At December 31, 2007, deferred tax liabilities of $75.6 million exceeded deferred tax assets of $33.5 million by $42.1 million. At December 31, 2006, our deferred tax liabilities of $71.7 million exceeded deferred tax assets of $43.5 million by $28.2 million. Our deferred tax assets at December 31, 2007 and 2006 of $33.5 million and $43.5 million, respectively, are net of valuation allowances of $17.0 million and $17.9 million, respectively. We have recorded the above valuation allowance primarily for net operating loss carryforwards in foreign tax jurisdictions where we have incurred historical tax losses from operations or acquired tax losses through acquisition, and have determined that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We evaluate on a quarterly basis the realizability of our deferred tax assets and adjust the amount of the allowance, if necessary. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization include our forecast of future taxable income and our assessment of available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets.

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), which is an interpretation of SFAS 109, on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 created a single model to address uncertainty in tax positions, and clarified the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109 by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. FIN 48 also provided guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

As of January 1, 2007, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $3.4 million. The Company did not have to record any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as a result of adopting FIN 48.

Interest Rate Swap and Cap Agreements

We account for our interest rate swap and cap agreements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended (“SFAS 133”). Our interest rate swap agreement, which matured on September 29, 2006, was classified as a cash flow hedge and, as such, the effective portion of the change in the value of the contract was recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, and reclassified into earnings in the period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Our old interest rate cap agreement, which also matured on September 29, 2006, and our two new interest rate cap agreements entered into on September 30, 2006, are classified as risk management instruments and management has elected to not apply hedge accounting. As such, the change in fair value of the contracts is reported in earnings in the period the value of the contract changes as a component of other income (expense). Changes in valuation assumptions and estimates used by the counterparties could materially affect our results of operations or financial position.

Results of Operations

Years ended December 31, 2006 and 2007


	Three Months Ended												Twelve Months Ended			Three Months Ended												Twelve Months Ended
	March 31, 2006			June 30, 2006			September 30, 2006			December 31, 2006			December 31, 2006			March 31, 2007			June 30, 2007			September 30, 2007			December 31, 2007			December 31, 2007
(unaudited) (in thousands, except statistical data)
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
Sales	$	218,100		$	247,476		$	243,609		$	272,967		$	982,152		$	247,947		$	272,089		$	253,962		$	281,816		$	1,055,814
Gross profit		69,773			78,965			81,220			89,079			319,037			84,528			93,389			88,249			98,959			365,125
Operating income		21,937			29,236			30,158			35,609			116,940			30,780			37,635			34,282			39,491			142,188
Interest expense		5,347			5,449			5,983			6,938			23,717			6,492			6,463			5,629			6,014			24,598
Other income (expense), net		237			525			(309	)		288			741			(376	)		(2,737	)		(794	)		(744	)		(4,651	)
Income tax expense		6,574			9,560			8,227			10,970			35,331			9,084			10,921			9,446			12,045			41,496

Net income	$	10,253		$	14,752		$	15,639		$	17,989		$	58,633		$	14,828		$	17,514		$	18,413		$	20,688		$	71,443


Statistical and Other Data:
Sales growth from comparable prior year		21.8	%		25.2	%		16.4	%		23.1	%		21.6	%		13.7	%		9.9	%		4.2	%		3.2	%		7.5	%
Gross profit margin		32.0	%		31.9	%		33.3	%		32.6	%		32.5	%		34.1	%		34.3	%		34.7	%		35.1	%		34.6	%
Backlog	$	173,826		$	169,878		$	170,609		$	167,728		$	167,728		$	193,544		$	174,148		$	169,762		$	190,744		$	190,744

Sales

Sales for 2007 were $1.05 billion, an increase of $73.7 million, or 7.5%, from sales of $982.2 million for 2006. The increase was attributable to additional revenues realized from price increases as well as higher volumes across all product categories. Approximately $30.6 million of the increase for total year sales, or approximately 41.5%, was attributable to additional revenues realized from price increases. Our specialty businesses followed by international expansion and complimentary seating and storage products experienced the strongest growth in the year. Our Specialty businesses benefited from our fourth quarter acquisition of Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited. At December 31, 2007, sales backlog was $190.7 million, an increase of $23.0 million, or 13.7%, from sales backlog of $167.7 million as of December 31, 2006.

Gross Profit and Operating Income

Gross profit for 2007 was $365.1 million, an increase of $46.1 million, or 14.4%, from gross profit of $319.0 million for 2006. Operating income for 2007 was $142.2 million, an increase of $25.2 million, or 21.6%, from operating income of $116.9 million for 2006.

As a percentage of sales, gross profit increased from 32.5% for 2006 to 34.6% for 2007. Operating income as a percentage of sales increased from 11.9% to 13.5% over the same period. Additional volume, better pricing, and moderating inflation led to the increase in gross margin. Improved factory performance and our global sourcing initiatives also contributed to the increase. The increase in gross profit came in spite of further appreciation of the Canadian Dollar. Foreign currency inflation amounted to $8.7 million of additional cost for 2007 over 2006.

Operating expenses for 2007 were $222.9 million, or 21.1% of sales, compared to $202.1 million, or 20.6% of sales, for 2006. Increased investment spending on growth initiatives relating to new products and international expansion accounted for $8.4 million of the increase. Increased incentive payments as a result of higher sales and profits accounted for $6.2 million of the increase. The acquisition of Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited also impacted operating expense levels by $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for 2007 was $24.6 million, an increase of $0.9 million, from interest expense of $23.7 million for 2006. The increase in interest expense was largely due to the increased average debt outstanding for the year.

The weighted average interest rate for 2007 was approximately 7.0%. The weighted average interest rate for 2006 was approximately 7.2%.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other expense for 2007 was $4.7 million comprised primarily of a $4.2 million loss due to our foreign currency translation and a $1.2 million loss related to the write-off of deferred financing fees. These losses were offset partially by $0.7 million of miscellaneous income. Other income for 2006 was $0.7 million and was comprised primarily of a $0.6 million gain due to our foreign currency translation, a $0.7 million unrealized loss on our interest rate cap agreements, and $0.8 million in other miscellaneous income.

Income Tax Expense

The mix of pretax income and the varying effective tax rates in the countries in which we operate directly affects our consolidated effective tax rate. The effective tax rate was 36.7% for 2007 compared to 37.6% for 2006. The decrease in the effective tax rate was mainly due to the reduction in our contingent tax reserve for the closing of the statute of limitations on our 2003 tax year.

Years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006

Sales

Sales for 2006 were $982.2 million, an increase of $174.2 million, or 21.6%, from sales of $808.0 million for 2005. The sales increase was primarily due to increased sales across all our product categories and Europe primarily as a result of continued growth recovery in the industry. For each quarter in 2006, we experienced a greater than 15% increase in sales over the comparable prior year period. Approximately $3.4 million of the increase for total year sales, or approximately 2%, was attributable to additional revenues realized from price increases. The highest growth rate was led by our seating and storage lines, and followed by our specialty product lines and systems. Systems, which is our largest product category, increased 21% alone. At December 31, 2006, sales backlog was $167.7 million, an increase of $20.4 million, or 13.8%, from sales backlog of $147.3 million as of December 31, 2005.

Gross Profit and Operating Income

Gross profit for 2006 was $319.0 million, an increase of $46.9 million, or 17.2%, from gross profit of $272.1 million for 2005. Operating income for 2006 was $116.9 million, an increase of $24.1 million, or 26.0%, from operating income of $92.8 million for 2005.

As a percentage of sales, gross profit decreased from 33.7% for 2005 to 32.5% for 2006. Operating income as a percentage of sales increased from 11.5% to 11.9% over the same period. Gross profit for 2006 was negatively impacted by the appreciation of the Canadian dollar by approximately $7.1 million due to higher product costs in 2006 compared to 2005. Higher material, labor, and transportation costs also negatively impacted gross profit by approximately $23.5 million. We were able to partially offset these costs through price realization, continuous improvement and global sourcing initiatives.

Operating margins benefited from better absorption of overhead on incremental volume. Operating expenses for 2006 were $202.1 million, or 20.6% of sales, compared to $179.2 million, or 22.2% of sales, for 2005. Operating expenses in 2006 included approximately $1.2 million of costs related to our two secondary public

offerings completed in February and August 2006, $137 thousand of costs incurred in connection with our buyback of 3.9 million shares from Warburg Pincus and additional bank and related fees of $258 thousand due to the amendment of our credit facility. Operating expense in 2006 also increased as a result of higher selling expenses and sales and incentive compensation directly attributable to increase sales dollars.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for 2006 and 2005 was $23.7 million. The decrease in interest expense at the beginning of 2006 was largely due to lower average debt balances and was offset by an increase in the third and fourth quarters with our debt expansion.

The weighted average interest rate for 2006 was approximately 7.2%. The weighted average interest rate for 2005 was approximately 6.4%.

Other Income (Expense), Net

Other income for 2006 was $0.7 million comprised primarily of a $0.6 million gain due to our foreign currency translation, a $0.7 million unrealized loss on our interest rate cap agreements, and $0.8 million in other miscellaneous income. Other expense for 2005 was $5.4 million comprised primarily of $2.3 million of foreign exchange transaction losses, a $3.6 million write off of deferred financing fees related to the amendment and restatement or our credit facility, and $1.0 million of costs incurred in putting the facility in place.

Income Tax Expense

The mix of pretax income and the varying effective tax rates in the countries in which we operate directly affects our consolidated effective tax rate. The effective tax rate was 37.6% for 2006 compared to 43.7 % for 2005. Tax expense in 2005 included $3.1 million of taxes related to the one-time repatriation of $45 million of Canadian earnings under The American Job Creations Act.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table highlights certain key cash flows and capital information pertinent to the discussion that follows:


	2007		2006		2005
	(in thousands)
Cash provided by operating activities	$	102,155	$	77,528	$	77,441
Capital expenditures		16,292		13,362		10,744
Net cash used in investing activities		86,910		16,578		10,643
Purchase of common stock		48,134		107,799		3,056
Net proceeds from (repayment of) debt		18,194		34,173		(76,723	)
Payment of dividends		21,690		20,195		12,490
Net proceeds from issuance of stock		29,015		27,249		31,390
Net cash used for financing activities		16,675		56,414		64,159

Historically, we have carried significant amounts of debt, and cash generated by operating activities has been used to fund working capital, capital expenditures, repurchase shares and scheduled payments of principal and interest under our debt. Our capital expenditures are typically for new product tooling and manufacturing equipment. These capital expenditures support new products and continuous improvements in our manufacturing processes.

During the first half 2006, we implemented our $50.0 million discretionary stock repurchase program and began using cash generated by operating activities to buy back shares. On February 4, 2008, our Board of

Directors approved a $50.0 million increase to this discretionary stock repurchase program. As of February 4, 2008, we had authority under this discretionary stock repurchase program to spend approximately $67.0 million.

We use our revolving credit facility in the ordinary course of business to fund our working capital needs, and at times make significant borrowings and repayments under the revolving facility depending on our cash needs and availability at such time.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $102.2 million in 2007, $77.5 million in 2006 and $77.4 million in 2005. The increase in operating cash flow in 2007 was largely a result of an increase of $12.8 million in net income. Non-cash amortizations accounted for $32.2 million of the increase as well as $1.2 million from the non-cash write-off of deferred financing fees. These increases were partially offset with increased spending to fund our working capital as a result of higher sales volumes. The increase in operating cash flow in 2006 was largely a result of an increase of $22.7 million in net income. This increase was offset with increased spending to fund our working capital needs as a result of higher sales volumes. In addition, with the implementation of FAS 123 (R), the tax benefit from stock options is now included in financing activities as a cash inflow rather than in operating activities as it was in 2005.

For the year ended December 31, 2007, we used available cash, including the $102.2 million of net cash from operating activities, $29.0 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock, and $18.2 million of net borrowings, to fund $16.3 million in capital expenditures, repurchase $48.1 million of common stock for treasury, fund dividend payments to shareholders totaling $21.7 million, and to fund working capital. In addition, on October 1, 2007, we completed the acquisition of Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited. Cash expenditures for the transaction totaled 70.8 million, net of cash acquired. Cash from financing activities in 2007 also included the payment of fees on the refinanced credit facility. In 2006, we used available cash, including the $77.5 million of net cash from operating activities, $27.2 million of proceeds from the issuance of common stock, and $34.2 million of net borrowings, to fund $13.4 million in capital expenditures, purchase $3.3 million of intangibles, repurchase $107.8 million of common stock for treasury, fund dividend payments to shareholders totaling $20.2 million, and fund working capital.

On June 29, 2007, we completed the refinancing of our revolving credit facility with a new $500 million revolving credit facility. The new agreement matures in June 2013 and may be used for general corporate purposes, including strategic acquisitions, stock buybacks and cash dividends. Under the new agreement, we can also increase our facility by up to $200 million subject to certain limitations and satisfaction of certain conditions. The improved interest rates in the new facility will provide for reduced borrowing costs allowing us to free up cash for other uses. At December 31, 2007, our outstanding debt was $368.6 million. Our credit facility includes a letter of credit subfacility of which $3.5 million of letters of credit was outstanding at December 31, 2007.

In addition to the above described credit facility, our foreign subsidiaries maintain local credit facilities to provide credit for overdraft, working capital and other purposes.

We are currently in compliance with all of the covenants and conditions under our revolving credit facility. We believe that existing cash balances and internally generated cash flows, together with borrowings available under our revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to fund normal working capital needs, capital spending requirements, debt service requirements and dividend payments for at least the next twelve months. In addition, we believe that we will have adequate funds available to meet long-term cash requirements and that we will be able to comply with the covenants under the credit agreement. Future principal debt payments may be paid out of cash flows from operations, from future refinancing of our debt or from equity issuances. However, our ability to make scheduled payments of principal, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, to satisfy our other debt obligations and to pay dividends to stockholders will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors beyond our control.

Contractual Obligations

The following summarizes our fixed long-term contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2007 (in thousands):


	Payments due by period
	Less than 1 year		1 to 3 years		3 to 5 years		More than 5 years		Total
Long-term debt	$	22,756	$	46,314	$	52,578	$	380,980	$	502,628
Operating leases		10,725		16,909		10,424		11,674		49,732
Purchase commitments		931		—		—		—		931
Pension plan contributions		8,500		—		—		—		8,500
Postretirement benefit plan obligations		1,500		—		—		—		1,500

Total	$	44,412	$	63,223	$	63,002	$	392,654	$	563,291

Contractual obligations for long-term debt include principal and interest payments. Interest has been included at either the fixed rate or the variable rate in effect as of December 31, 2007, as applicable.

Environmental Matters

Our past and present business operations and our past and present ownership and operation of manufacturing plants on real property are subject to extensive and changing federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to discharges to air, water and land, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and the cleanup of properties affected by hazardous substances. As a result, we are involved from time to time in administrative and judicial proceedings and inquiries relating to environmental matters and could become subject to fines or penalties related thereto. We cannot predict what environmental legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future, how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted or what environmental conditions may be found to exist. Compliance with more stringent laws or regulations, or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may require additional expenditures by us, some of which may be material. We have been identified as a potentially responsible party pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”) for remediation costs associated with waste disposal sites that we previously used. The remediation costs and our allocated share at some of these CERCLA sites are unknown. We may also be subject to claims for personal injury or contribution relating to CERCLA sites. We reserve amounts for such matters when expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not currently have, nor have we ever had, any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange traded contracts. As a result, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in these relationships.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Beginning in late 2004, we began a process to document and evaluate our internal controls over financial reporting in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations, which require annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and a report by our independent auditors on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. In this regard, management has dedicated internal resources, engaged outside consultants and adopted and implemented a detailed work plan to (i) assess and document the adequacy of internal controls over financial

reporting, (ii) take steps to improve control processes, where appropriate, (iii) validate through testing that controls are functioning as documented and (iv) implement a continuous reporting and improvement process for internal control over financial reporting. Our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the related regulations regarding our assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting have resulted, and are likely to continue to result, in increased expenses.

Management and our audit committee have given our compliance with Section 404 the highest priority. We cannot, however, be certain that these measures will ensure that we implement and maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If we fail to correct any issues in the design or operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting or fail to prevent fraud, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which could harm our business and the trading price of our common stock.

Forward-looking Statements

This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements, principally in the sections entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Risk Factors” and “Business.” Statements and financial discussion and analysis contained in this annual report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations or financial condition, or state other information relating to us, based on our current beliefs as well as assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Although we believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions, any or all of which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: the risks described under Item 1A and in Item 7A of this annual report on Form 10-K; changes in the economy or financial stability of our clients resulting in decreased corporate spending and service sector employment; changes in relationships with clients; the mix of products sold and of clients purchasing our products; the success of new technology initiatives; changes in business strategies and decisions; competition from our competitors; our ability to recruit and retain an experienced management team; changes in raw material prices and availability; restrictions on government spending resulting in fewer sales to one of our largest customers; our debt restrictions on spending; our ability to protect our patents, copyrights and trademarks; our reliance on furniture dealers to produce sales; lawsuits arising from patents, copyrights and trademark infringements; violations of environment laws and regulations; potential labor disruptions; adequacy of our insurance policies; the availability of future capital; and currency rate fluctuations. The factors identified above are believed to be important factors (but not necessarily all of the important factors) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Unpredictable or unknown factors could also have material adverse effects on us. All forward-looking statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Except as required under the Federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we undertake no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. FIN 48 also provided guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As of January 1, 2007, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $3.4 million. The Company did not have to record any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as a result of adopting FIN 48.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires plan sponsors of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans (collectively, “postretirement benefit plans”) to recognize the funded status of their postretirement benefit plans in the statement of financial position, measure the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the fiscal year-end statement of financial position, and provide additional disclosures. On December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provision of SFAS 158. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statements of financial position is effective for the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, but does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We have adopted SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008, as required. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-including an amendment of SFAS No. 115” (“SFAS 159”), which permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. A business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. We have adopted SFAS 159 as of January 1, 2008, as required. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”), which is intended to improve reporting by creating greater consistency in the accounting and financial reporting of business combinations. SFAS 141(R) requires that the acquiring entity in a business combination recognize all (and only) the assets and liabilities assumed in the transaction, establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information that they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. In addition, SFAS 141(R) impacts the accounting for transaction and restructuring costs. SFAS 141(R) is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently determining the impact of SFAS 141(R) on its consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

During the normal course of business, we are routinely subjected to market risk associated with interest rate movements and foreign currency exchange rate movements. Interest rate risk arises from our debt obligations and related interest rate hedge agreements. Foreign currency exchange rate risk arises from our non-U.S. operations and purchases of inventory from foreign suppliers.

We also have risk in our exposure to certain material and transportation costs. Our largest raw material costs are for steel and plastics. Steel is the primary raw material used in the manufacture of our products. The price of plastic, another significant raw material used in the manufacture of our products, is sensitive to the cost of oil, which has increased significantly in recent history. For the year ended December 31, 2007, material inflation was approximately $7.4 million and transportation inflation was approximately $3.1 million. During 2006, material inflation was approximately $12.8 million and transportation inflation was approximately $1.9 million. We continue working to attempt to offset these price changes in raw materials and transportation through our global sourcing initiatives, cost improvements and price increases to our products.

Interest Rate Risk

We have variable rate debt obligations that are denominated in U.S. dollars. A change in interest rates impacts the interest incurred and cash paid on the variable-rate. The weighted average rate for 2007 was 7.0%. The weighted average rate for the same period of 2006 was 7.2%.

We use interest rate hedge agreements for other than trading purposes in order to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on our variable-rate debt. Such agreements effectively convert $200.0 million of our variable-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, utilizing the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, as a floating rate reference. Fluctuations in LIBOR affect both our net financial instrument position and the amount of cash to be paid or received by us, if any, under these agreements.

The following table summarizes our market risks associated with our debt obligations and interest rate hedge agreements as of December 31, 2007. For debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity. Variable interest rates presented for variable-rate debt represent the weighted average interest rates on our credit facility borrowings as of December 31, 2007. For interest rate caps, the table presents the notional amounts and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity.


	2008			2009			2010			2011			2012		Thereafter			Total		Fair Value
	(dollars in thousands)
Rate Sensitive Liabilities
Long-term Debt:
Fixed Rate	$	136		$	140		$	145		$	155		$	—	$	—		$	576	$	576
Average Interest Rate	$	4.11	%		4.11	%		4.11	%		4.11	%		—		—
Variable Rate		—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	368,000		$	368,000	$	368,000
Average Interest Rate		—			—			—			—			—		6.13	%

Rate Sensitive Derivative Financial Instruments
Interest Rate Caps:
Notional Amount	$	200,000			—			—			—			—		—		$	200,000	$	—
Strike Rate		6.00	%		—			—			—			—		—

An increase in interest rates of 1% would increase annual interest expense by approximately $3.7 million. We will continue to review our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and evaluate whether we should manage such exposure through derivative transactions.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We manufacture our products in the United States, Canada and Italy, and sell our products primarily in those markets as well as in other European countries. Our foreign sales and certain expenses are transacted in foreign currencies. Our production costs, profit margins and competitive position are affected by the strength of the currencies in countries where we manufacture or purchase goods relative to the strength of the currencies in countries where our products are sold. Additionally, as our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, our financial position is affected by the strength of the currencies in countries where we have operations relative to the strength of the U.S. dollar. The principal foreign currencies in which we conduct business are the Canadian dollar and the Euro. Approximately 12.3% and 11.4% of our revenues in 2007 and 2006, respectively, and 38.5% and 36.7% of our cost of goods sold in 2007 and 2006, respectively, were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations resulted in a $4.2 million loss in 2007 and a $0.6 million gain in 2006.

From time to time, we enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts and foreign currency option contracts for other than trading purposes in order to manage our exposure to foreign exchange rates associated with short-term operating receivables of a Canadian subsidiary that are payable by our U.S. operations. The terms of these contracts are generally less than a year. Changes in the fair value of such contracts are reported in earnings in the period the value of the contract changes. The net gain or loss upon settlement and the remaining change in fair value is recorded as a component of other income (expense). As of December 31, 2007, we had no outstanding foreign currency contracts. During 2007, we recognized a net gain of $1.2 million related to various foreign currency option contracts initiated and settled during 2007. The fair market value of the foreign currency option contract outstanding at December 31, 2006 was $92 thousand and is included in other current liabilities in our consolidated balance as of December 31, 2006. During 2006, we recognized a net gain of $744 thousand related to various foreign currency option contracts initiated and settled during 2006.

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

on Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Knoll, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Knoll, Inc. as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Knoll, Inc. at December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method for accounting for employee stock compensation plans and defined benefit pension and other post retirement plans in 2006.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertainty in income taxes in 2007.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Knoll’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 25, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 25, 2008

KNOLL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)


	December 31, 2007		December 31, 2006
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	17,975	$	16,038
Customer receivables, net		137,001		132,970
Inventories		92,087		75,930
Deferred income taxes		8,690		13,416
Prepaid and other current assets		7,691		10,030

Total current assets		263,444		248,384
Property, plant, and equipment, net		143,643		137,729
Goodwill, net		75,590		44,637
Intangible assets, net		226,777		193,654
Other non-trade receivables		4,800		3,835
Other noncurrent assets		3,188		3,898

Total Assets	$	717,442	$	632,137


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	136	$	2,996
Accounts payable		83,107		72,567
Income taxes payable		3,539		16,317
Other current liabilities		90,209		79,334

Total current liabilities		176,991		171,214
Long-term debt		368,440		347,320
Deferred income taxes		50,815		41,665
Postretirement benefits other than pensions		21,752		26,636
Pension liability		10,885		27,633
International retirement obligation		5,305		5,243
Other noncurrent liabilities		8,533		8,042

Total liabilities		642,721		627,753

Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 49,287,143 issued and outstanding (net of 8,906,705 treasury shares) in 2007 and 49,037,660 shares issued and outstanding (net of 6,348,764 treasury shares) in 2006		493		490
Additional paid-in-capital		—		4,409
Retained earnings (deficit)		45,255		(2,726	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		28,973		2,211

Total stockholders’ equity		74,721		4,384

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	717,442	$	632,137

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

KNOLL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007, 2006, AND 2005

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)


	2007			2006		2005
Sales	$	1,055,814		$	982,152	$	807,960
Cost of sales		690,689			663,115		535,904

Gross profit		365,125			319,037		272,056
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		222,937			202,097		179,217

Operating Income		142,188			116,940		92,839
Interest expense		24,598			23,717		23,684
Other (expense) income, net		(4,651	)		741		(5,355	)

Income before income tax expense		112,939			93,964		63,800
Income tax expense		41,496			35,331		27,891

Net Income	$	71,443		$	58,633	$	35,909

Net earnings per share
Basic	$	1.48		$	1.18	$	0.70
Diluted	$	1.45		$	1.14	$	0.68
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic		48,239,189			49,606,677		51,219,123
Diluted		49,248,902			51,238,088		52,919,388

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

KNOLL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007, 2006, AND 2005

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)


	Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings (Deficit)			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total Stockholder’s Equity (Deficit)
Balance at January 1, 2005	$	495		$	21,442		$	(55,925	)	$	12,643		$	(21,345	)
Net income		—			—			35,909			—			35,909
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			272			272
Unrealized gain on derivative (net of income tax effect of $151)		—			—			—			232			232
Minimum pension liability (net of income tax effect of $2,862)		—			—			—			(4,392	)		(4,392	)

Total comprehensive income														32,021

Shares issued for consideration:
Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit of $8,347 (2,990,262 shares)		29			38,850			—			—			38,879
Shares issued under stock incentive plan (50,000 shares)		1			(1	)		—			—			—
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan (3,953 shares)		—			65			—			—			65
Earned stock grant compensation		—		$	4,052			—			—			4,052
Cash dividend ($.25 per share)		—			—			(12,898	)		—			(12,898	)
Purchase of common stock (181,408 shares)		(2	)		(3,056	)		—			—			(3,058	)

Balance at December 31, 2005	$	523		$	61,352		$	(32,914	)	$	8,755		$	37,716
Net income		—			—			58,633			—			58,633
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			1,714			1,714
Unrealized loss on derivative (net of income tax effect of $250)		—			—			—			(382	)		(382	)
Minimum pension liability (net of income tax effect of $1,856)		—			—			—			2,849			2,849

Total comprehensive income														62,814

Shares issued for consideration:
Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit of $10,158 (2,808,812 shares)		28			38,608			—			—			38,636
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan (3,433 shares)		—			66			—			—			66
Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures (64,000 shares)		(1	)		4,505			—			—			4,504
Cash dividend ($.41 per share)		—			—			(20,830	)		—			(20,830	)
Purchase of common stock (6,048,756 shares)		(60	)		(100,122	)		(7,615	)		—			(107,797	)
Adjustment to initially apply FASB Statement No. 158 (net of tax of $6,987)		—			—			—			(10,725	)		(10,725	)

Balance at December 31, 2006	$	490		$	4,409		$	(2,726	)	$	2,211		$	4,384
Net income		—			—			71,443			—			71,443
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			15,772			15,772
Pension adjustment (net of income tax effect of $7,161)		—			—			—			10,990			10,990

Total comprehensive income														98,205

Shares issued for consideration:
Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit of $8,564 (2,225,033 shares)		23			36,557			—			—			36,580
Shares issued under stock incentive plan (514,654 shares)		5			(5	)		—			—			—
Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan (3,637 shares)		—			69			—			—			69
Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures (133,333 shares)		(1	)		5,904			—			—			5,903
Cash dividend ($.45 per share)		—			—			(22,286	)		—			(22,286	)
Purchase of common stock (2,360,607 shares)		(24	)		(46,934	)		(1,176	)		—			(48,134	)

Balance at December 31, 2007	$	493		$	—		$	45,255		$	28,973		$	74,721

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

KNOLL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007, 2006, AND 2005

(in thousands)


	2007			2006			2005
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	71,443		$	58,633		$	35,909
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		19,749			19,194			18,721
Amortization of intangible assets		1,573			663			626
Write-off of deferred financing fees		1,195			—			3,562
Foreign currency loss		4,831			157			2,045
Premium paid for interest rate cap agreement		—			(204	)		—
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options		—			—			8,347
Stock based compensation		5,903			4,504			4,052
Other non-cash items		157			1,230			(5	)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Customer receivables		1,644			(17,268	)		(16,559	)
Inventories		(2,795	)		(18,866	)		(7,304	)
Accounts payable		1,030			14,176			11,318
Current and deferred income taxes		281			(668	)		9,360
Other current assets		2,072			(2,053	)		(1,560	)
Other current liabilities		6,380			13,882			3,068
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities		(11,308	)		4,148			5,861

Cash provided by operating activities		102,155			77,528			77,441

CASH FLOWS FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		(16,292	)		(13,362	)		(10,744	)
Purchase of a business, net of cash acquired		(70,777	)		—			—
Purchase a trademark and other intangible assets		—			(3,250	)		—
Proceeds from the sale of assets		159			34			101

Cash used in investing activities		(86,910	)		(16,578	)		(10,643	)

CASH FLOWS FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from the issuance of long term debt		—			38,000			250,000
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities, net		273,000			29,000			66,000
Repayment of long-term debt		(254,806	)		(32,827	)		(392,723	)
Deferred financing fees		(2,624	)		—			(3,280	)
Payment of dividends		(21,690	)		(20,195	)		(12,490	)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock		29,015			27,249			31,390
Purchase of common stock for treasury		(48,134	)		(107,799	)		(3,056	)
Tax benefit from the exercise of stock options		8,564			10,158			—

Cash used in financing activities		(16,675	)		(56,414	)		(64,159	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		3,367			807			(996	)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents		1,937			5,343			1,643
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year		16,038			10,695			9,052

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year	$	17,975		$	16,038		$	10,695

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2007

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Knoll, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Knoll”) are engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of office furniture products and accessories, focusing on the middle to high-end segments of the contract furniture market. The Company has operations in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and Europe and sells its products primarily through its direct sales representatives and independent dealers.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Knoll, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The results of the European subsidiaries are reported and included in the consolidated financial statements on a one-month lag to allow for the timely preparation of consolidated information. The effect of this presentation is not material to the financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

Revenue from the sale of products is recognized upon transfer of title to the client, which occurs at the time of shipment.

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its clients and dealers to make required payments. The allowance is determined through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and assessments of risk that are based on historical trends and an evaluation of the impact of current and projected economic conditions. The Company evaluates the past-due status of its trade receivables based on the contractual terms of sale. If the financial condition of the Company’s clients and dealers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Accounts receivable are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when the Company determines that recovery is unlikely. Losses have been consistent with the Company’s expectations.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

Property, Plant, Equipment and Depreciation

Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives are as follows: 45 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets mainly consist of goodwill, trademarks and deferred financing fees. Goodwill is recorded at the amount by which cost exceeds the net assets of acquired businesses, and all other intangible assets are recorded at cost.

Goodwill and trademarks are tested for impairment at least annually rather than being amortized. The Company determined that no impairment existed based on the impairment tests for each year through 2007.

On October 1, 2007, in combination with the acquisition of Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited, the Company acquired certain intangible assets related to a trade name, non-compete agreement and customer relationships. The trade name will be tested annually for impairment. The non–compete agreement and the customer relationships were assigned a definite useful life and as such amortization will be recorded over the economic life of the intangibles in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”.

On December 19, 2006, the Company purchased certain intangible assets as an investment in its seating line. A definite useful life was assigned to these intangibles and as such amortization will be recorded over the economic life of the intangibles in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”.

Deferred financing costs that are incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the life of the underlying indebtedness.

Shipping and Handling

Amounts billed to clients for shipping and handling of products are classified as sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Costs incurred by the Company for shipping and handling are classified as cost of sales.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development expenses, which are expensed as incurred, were $15.9 million for 2007, $12.7 million for 2006, and $10.8 million for 2005.

Income Taxes

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

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, approximate their carrying amounts due to their immediate or short-term periods to maturity. The stated interest rates on the Company’s long-term debt approximate market rates for debt instruments with similar terms and maturities, and accordingly, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, described in Note 9, approximates its carrying amount. The derivative instruments described in Note 11, are recorded at fair value as estimated by the dealer.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to reduce its exposure to adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” on the date a derivative instrument is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as (i) a fair value hedge, (ii) a cash flow hedge, (iii) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, or (iv) a risk management instrument. The Company recognizes all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. On September 30, 2006, the Company entered into two interest rate cap agreements which set a maximum interest rate on a notional amount and utilize LIBOR as a variable-rate reference. Under these agreements, the Company paid a total premium of approximately $204 thousand for a cap rate of 6.00% on $200 million of the Company’s borrowings under the credit facility. The Company has elected not to apply hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, to these agreements. As such, the change in fair value of the contracts is reported in earnings in the period the value of the contract changes as a component of other income (expense). The interest rate cap agreements mature on September 30, 2008.

Foreign Currency Translation

Results of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates during the period, while assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments included in other comprehensive income amounted to $30.3 million and $14.5 million, respectively. Transaction gains and losses resulting from exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are included in income in the period in which the change occurs.

Stock-Based Compensation

At December 31, 2007, the Company sponsored two stock incentive plans, which are described more fully in Note 16. Approximately 2,635,762 shares were available for grant as of December 31, 2007. Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for its stock incentive plan in accordance with APB 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (APB 25), and related Interpretations, as permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” (SFAS No. 123) , and no stock-based employee compensation was reflected in net income with respect to options granted under the existing plans at that time. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123(R)), using the modified-prospective-transition method for those unvested options granted after the Company’s initial public offering. Under SFAS 123(R) the Company measures the cost of employees services received in exchange for stock options based on the grant-date fair value of the award with such costs recognized over the applicable vesting period. The prospective method will be applied to those unvested options issued prior to the Company’s initial public offering that have historically been accounted for under the minimum value method. Such options continue to be accounted for under the provisions of APB 25. Under APB 25, no stock-based

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

employee compensation costs is reflected in net income, as all options granted during that time period have an exercise price equal to the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, the Company will continue to provide pro forma financial information for prior periods to illustrate the effect on net income and earnings per share of applying the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123.

As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R), the Company’s income before taxes and net income after taxes for the year ended December 31, 2007, was $1.4 million and $0.8 million lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under SFAS 123 and APB Opinion No. 25. For the year ended December 31, 2007 basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share would have been $.02 higher had the Company not adopted SFAS No. 123(R).

As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R), the Company’s income before taxes and net income after taxes for the year ended December 31, 2006, was $0.7 million and $0.4 million lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under SFAS No. 123 and APB Opinion No. 25. For the year ended December 31, 2006 basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share would have been $.01 higher had the Company not adopted SFAS No. 123(R).

The following table illustrates the effect on net income if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 to stock-based employee compensation.


	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2007			2006			2005
	(in thousands except per share data)
Net income, as reported	$	71,443		$	58,633		$	35,909
Add:
Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income		5,021			5,319			4,019
Deduct:
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair-value-based method, net of related tax effects		(5,452	)		(6,016	)		(6,108	)

As adjusted net income	$	71,012		$	57,936		$	33,820
Earnings per share:
Basic—as reported	$	1.48		$	1.18		$	.70

Diluted—as reported	$	1.45		$	1.14		$	.68

Basic—as adjusted	$	1.47		$	1.17		$	.66

Diluted—as adjusted	$	1.44		$	1.13		$	.64

For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized $5.0 million of compensation expense which includes an additional $1.4 million of stock option expense as a result of adopting SFAS 123(R). Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company included all tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation as operating cash flows in the consolidated statement of cash flows. SFAS 123(R) requires any reduction in taxes payable resulting from tax deductions that exceed the recognized compensation expense (“excess tax benefit”) to be classified as financing cash flows. The Company included $8.6 million of excess tax benefits in the Company’s cash flows from financing activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 that would have been classified as operating cash flows had the Company not adopted SFAS 123(R).

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Prior to 2005, the fair value of the options was estimated using a minimum value method for grants made on or subsequent to March 24, 1999 and through December 14, 2004. The Company went public on December 14, 2004 and used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value options granted after that date. During 2005, the Company replaced the Black-Scholes option pricing model with a lattice model in preparation for the implementation of SFAS 123(R) effective January 1, 2006. For stock options granted after December 14, 2004 and during 2005 and 2006 the following assumptions shown in the table below were used in the lattice model.

Because lattice based option valuation models incorporate ranges of assumptions for inputs, those assumptions are disclosed. Expected volatilities are based on implied volatilities from traded options on the Company’s stock, historical volatilities of the Company’s and competitors’ stocks, and other factors. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the valuation model. The expected term of options granted is derived based on the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.


	2007		2006		2005
Expected volatility	28	%	29	%	22	%
Expected dividend yield	2.02	%	2.00	%	2.30	%
Expected Term (in years)	7		7		7
Risk-free rate	4.88	%	4.59	%	4.29	%

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, if applicable, are as follows (in thousands):


	Beginning Balance			Before-Tax Amount			Tax Benefit (Expense)			Net-of-Tax Amount			Ending Balance
December 31, 2005
Minimum pension liability	$	(7	)	$	(7,254	)	$	2,862		$	(4,392	)	$	(4,399	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		12,500			272			—			272			12,772
Unrealized gain on derivative		150			383			(151	)		232			382

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	12,643		$	(6,599	)	$	2,711		$	(3,888	)	$	8,755

December 31, 2006
Pension funded status adjustment	$	(4,399	)	$	(13,007	)	$	5,131		$	(7,876	)	$	(12,275	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		12,772			1,714			—			1,714			14,486
Unrealized gain on derivative		382			(632	)		250			(382	)		—

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	8,755		$	(11,925	)	$	5,381		$	(6,544	)	$	2,211

December 31, 2007
Pension adjustment	$	(12,275	)	$	18,151		$	(7,161	)	$	10,990		$	(1,285	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		14,486			15,772			—			15,772			30,258

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$	2,211		$	33,923		$	(7,161	)	$	26,762		$	28,973

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes the dilutive effect of common shares that could potentially be issued, due to the exercise of stock options, and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of shares and potential shares issued under the stock incentive plans.


	Twelve Months Ended December 31,
	2007	2006	2005
	(in thousands)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding—basic	48,239	49,607	51,219
Potentially dilutive shares resulting from stock plans	1,010	1,631	1,700

Weighted average common shares—diluted	49,249	51,238	52,919
Antidilutive options not included in the weighted average common shares-diluted calculation	892	25	295

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of certain contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from such estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which is an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”). FIN 48 created a single model to address uncertainty in tax positions, and clarified the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS 109 by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. FIN 48 also provided guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As of January 1, 2007, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $3.4 million. The Company did not have to record any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as a result of adopting FIN 48.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Statement No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R) (“SFAS 158”). SFAS 158 requires plan sponsors of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans (collectively, “postretirement benefit plans”) to recognize the funded status of their postretirement benefit plans in the statement of financial position, measure the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the fiscal year-end statement of financial position, and provide additional disclosures. On December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provision of SFAS 158. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statements of financial position is effective for the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

measurements, but does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We have adopted SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008, as required. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

3. ACQUISTIONS

On October 1, 2007, the Company acquired Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited. Edelman Leather, LLC supplies fine leathers to residential, hospitality, aviation and contract office furniture markets. The closing cash purchase price was approximately $70.8 million and was primarily financed using the Company’s revolving credit facility described in Note 9. The transaction also involved certain contingent payouts based on the future success of the business. This acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase and resulted in the recognition of $30.6 million of goodwill in the Company’s financial statements.

4. CUSTOMER RECEIVABLES

Customer receivables are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $4.2 million and $3.3 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Management performs ongoing credit evaluations of its clients and generally does not require collateral. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the U.S. government and agencies thereof, represented approximately 11.8% and 18.4%, respectively, of gross customer receivables.

5. INVENTORIES


	2007		2006
	(in thousands)
Raw materials	$	45,043	$	44,114
Work in process		8,208		7,952
Finished goods		38,836		23,864

Inventories	$	92,087	$	75,930

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Inventory reserves for obsolescence and other estimated losses were $6.9 million and $6.5 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

6. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT


	2007			2006
	(in thousands)
Land and buildings	$	95,539		$	88,269
Machinery and equipment		307,387			290,107
Construction in progress		9,464			5,886

Property, plant and equipment		412,390			384,262
Accumulated depreciation		(268,747	)		(246,533	)

Property, plant and equipment, net	$	143,643		$	137,729

7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Information regarding the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets follows (in thousands):


	2007							2006
	Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Amount		Gross Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Amount
Unamortizable intangible assets:
Goodwill	$	84,002	$	(8,412	)	$	75,590	$	53,049	$	(8,412	)	$	44,637
Trademarks		219,900		(32,069	)		187,831		219,900		(32,069	)		187,831
Edelman Trade Name		26,046		—			26,046		—		—			—
Amortizable intangible assets:
Deferred financing fees		4,241		(877	)		3,364		3,401		(828	)		2,573
Trademarks		3,000		(668	)		2,332		3,000		—			3,000
Other		7,472		(268	)		7,204		250		—			250

Total	$	344,661	$	(42,294	)	$	302,367	$	279,600	$	(41,309	)	$	238,291

On October 1, 2007, in combination with the acquisition of Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited, the Company acquired certain intangible assets related to a trade name, non-compete agreement, customer relationships and goodwill. The trade name was valued at $26.0 million and it will be tested annually for impairment. The non–compete agreement and customer relationships intangibles were valued at $0.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively. These were assigned definite useful lives and as such amortization will be recorded over the economic life of the intangibles in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. Goodwill for the acquisition of Edelman Leather was recorded at $30.6 million and will be tested for impairment annually.

The customer relationships and non-competition agreements will be amortized over there useful lives.

On December 19, 2006, the Company entered an agreement to purchase the rights to the “LIFE” trademark associated with its LIFE chair for $3.0 million. The Company assigned an 11 year useful life to the trademark and will amortize it based on a percentage of LIFE chair sales through 2017.

The Company will evaluate annually whether the estimated useful life of the trademarks warrant revisions and any such changes will be applied prospectively.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:


	2007		2006
	(in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year	$	44,637	$	45,333
Edelman Leather acquisition		30,600		—
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)		353		(696	)

Balance at end of year	$	75,590	$	44,637

On June 29, 2007, the Company completed the refinancing of its existing credit facility with a new $500 million revolving credit facility. As a result of this transaction, approximately $1.2 million of deferred financing fees, net of accumulated amortization were written off and approximately $2.6 million of new deferred financing fees were recorded.

The Company recorded amortization of deferred financing fees of approximately $637,000, $663,000, and $626,000 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. This amortization was recorded as a component of interest expense. Estimated amortization expense for the deferred financing fees and other intangibles for each of the five succeeding years is as follows:


2008	$	2,991
2009		2,875
2010		2,775
2011		1,965
2012		1,097

8. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES


	2007		2006
	(in thousands)
Accrued employee compensation	$	44,898	$	41,348
Accrued pension costs		8,500		5,813
Customer deposits		6,301		6,786
Accrued warranty		10,078		7,436
Other		20,432		17,951

Other current liabilities	$	90,209	$	79,334

9. INDEBTEDNESS

The Company’s long-term debt is summarized as follows:


	2007			2006
	(in thousands)
Term loans, variable rate (7.11% at December 31, 2006)	$	—		$	254,685
Revolving loans, variable rate (6.12% at December 31, 2007 and 6.85% at December 31, 2006)		368,000			95,000
Other		576			631

Total		368,576			350,316
Less current maturities		(136	)		(2,996	)

Long-term debt	$	368,440		$	347,320

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Term and Revolving Loans

On June 29, 2007, the Company completed the refinancing of its existing credit facility with a new $500.0 million revolving credit facility maturing in June 2013. The Company may use the new revolving line of credit for general corporate purposes, including strategic acquisitions, stock buy backs and cash dividends. Under the Company’s new credit agreement, the Company can increase its revolving credit facility by up to $200.0 million subject to certain limitations and satisfaction of certain conditions, including compliance with certain financial covenants.

Loans made pursuant to the revolving credit facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until June 2013, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions on the date of any such borrowing. Obligations under the credit facility are secured by a first priority security interest in (i) the capital stock of each present and future subsidiary (with limitations on foreign subsidiaries) and (ii) all present and future property and assets of the Company (with various limitations and exceptions). Borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at a floating rate based, at the Company’s option, upon (i) the LIBOR rate plus an applicable percentage or (ii) the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.50% or the prime rate as announced by the revolving credit facility’s administrative agent, plus an applicable percentage.

The senior credit agreement contains a letter of credit subfacility that allows for the issuance of letters of credit and swing-line loans. The sum of the outstanding revolver balance plus any outstanding letters of credit and swing-line loans cannot exceed $500.0 million, subject to the ability to increase the credit facility by up to $200.0 million as mentioned above. The amount available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility is reduced by the total outstanding letters of credit and swing-line loans.

The Company is required to pay a commitment fee equal to a rate per annum calculated as the product of the applicable rate based upon the Company’s leverage ratio as set forth in the credit agreement times the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. In addition, the Company is required to pay a letter of credit fee equal to the applicable rate as set forth in the credit agreement times the daily maximum amount available to be drawn under such letter of credit.

In addition, the credit agreement also contains various affirmative and negative covenants that among other things, limit, subject to certain exceptions, the incurrence of additional indebtedness and capital expenditures in excess of a specified amount in any fiscal year. The Company was in compliance with the credit agreement covenants at December 31, 2007.

The Company also has several revolving credit agreements with various European financial institutions. These credit agreements provide credit primarily for overdraft and working capital purposes. As of December 31, 2007, total credit available under such agreements was approximately $9,681,000. There is currently no expiration date on these agreements. The interest rates on borrowings are variable and are based on the monetary market rate that is linked to each country’s prime rate. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the European credit facilities.

Interest Paid

During 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company made interest payments including amounts related to the Company’s interest rate collar swap and cap agreements totaling $22.9 million, $22.8 million and $24.7 million respectively.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Maturities

Aggregate maturities of the Company’s indebtedness as of December 31, 2007 are as follows (in thousands):


2007	$	136
2008		140
2009		145
2010		155
2011		—
Subsequent years		368,000

	$	368,576

10. PREFERRED STOCK

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $1.00 per share. Subject to applicable laws, the Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of preferred shares in one or more series, for such consideration and with designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. There was no Preferred Stock outstanding as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.

11. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Interest Rate Swap and Cap Agreements

The Company uses derivative financial instruments, to reduce its exposure to adverse fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates.

On September 30, 2006, the Company entered into two interest rate cap agreements which set a maximum interest rate on a notional amount and utilize LIBOR as a variable-rate reference. Under these agreements, the Company paid a total premium of approximately $204 thousand for a cap rate of 6.00% on $200 million of the Company’s borrowings under the credit facility. The Company has elected not to apply hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, to these agreements. As such, the change in fair value of the contracts is reported in earnings in the period the value of the contract changes as a component of other income (expense). These interest rate cap agreements mature on September 30, 2008.

In October 2004, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement and an interest rate cap agreement. These agreements hedged interest rate risk on a notional amount of approximately $212.5 million of the Company’s borrowings under the credit facility. Both the interest rate swap agreement and the interest rate cap agreement matured on September 29, 2006.

Under the 2004 interest rate swap agreement, the Company paid a fixed rate of interest of 3.010% and received a variable rate of interest equal to three-month LIBOR, as determined on the last day of each quarterly settlement period on an aggregated notional principal amount of $50.0 million. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement were recorded in the period the value of the contract changes. The net amount paid or received upon quarterly settlements was recorded as an adjustment to interest expense, while the change in fair value was recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in the equity section of the balance sheet.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The 2004 interest rate cap agreement set a maximum interest rate on a notional amount and utilized LIBOR as a variable-rate reference. Under the cap agreement, the Company paid a premium of $425 thousand for a cap rate of 4.25% on $162.5 million of the Company’s borrowing under the credit facility. The Company elected not to apply hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133, to the interest rate cap agreement. As such, the change in fair value of the contract was reported in earnings in the period the value of the contract changed as a component of other income (expense).

The fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments included in current assets are summarized as follows:


	2007		2006
	(in thousands)
Interest rate cap agreements	$	—	$	71

	$	—	$	71

The change in the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments and the adjustment to interest expense are summarized as follows:


	2007			2006			2005
	(in thousands)
Interest income (expense)	$	—		$	1,674		$	142
Other income (expense)		(71	)		(703	)		295
Pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(632	)		383

Aggregate net benefit (expense)	$	(71	)	$	339		$	820

The Company will continue to review its exposure to interest rate fluctuations and evaluate whether it should manage such exposure through derivative transactions.

Foreign Currency Contracts

From time to time, the Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts and foreign currency option contracts to manage its exposure to foreign exchange rates associated with short-term operating receivables of a Canadian subsidiary that are payable by the U.S. operations. The terms of these contracts are generally less than a year. Changes in the fair value of such contracts are reported in earnings in the period the value of the contract changes. The net gain or loss upon settlement and the remaining change in fair value is recorded as a component of other income (expense).

As of December 31, 2007, the Company had no outstanding foreign currency contracts. During 2007, the Company recognized a net gain of $1.2 million related to various foreign currency option contracts initiated and settled during 2007.

The fair market value of the foreign currency option contract outstanding at December 31, 2006 was $92 thousand and was included in other current liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance as of December 31, 2006. During 2006, the Company recognized a net gain of $744 thousand related to various foreign currency option contracts initiated and settled during 2006.

12. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS

The Company is currently involved in claims and matters of litigation, including environmental contingencies, arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues for such matters when

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable. Based upon information presently known, management is of the opinion that such litigation, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

The Company offers a warranty for all of its products. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending upon the product sold. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its warranties and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the Company’s liability include historical product-failure experience and estimated repair costs for identified matters for each specific product category. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary. Adjustments to recorded reserves for pre-existing warranties are not material for each period presented.

Changes in the Company’s warranty reserve during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 were as follows:


	2007			2006			2005
	(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of the year	$	7,436		$	5,521		$	5,019
Provision for warranty claims		11,637			9,667			6,994
Warranty claims paid		(9,135	)		(7,775	)		(6,500	)
Exchange rate impact		140			23			8

Balance, end of the year	$	10,078		$	7,436		$	5,521

In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143 (“Statement 143”), “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”. Statement 143 requires legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets to be recognized at their fair value at the time that the obligations are incurred. Upon initial recognition of a liability, that cost should be capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset and allocated to expense over the useful life of the asset. The Company adopted Statement 143 on January 1, 2003 and recorded an asset retirement obligation of $390,000 related to the removal of leasehold improvements that have been made to one of the Company’s manufacturing and distribution centers. Such improvements must be removed upon termination of the lease agreement. As of December 31, 2007, the fair value of that obligation was $522,000.

At December 31, 2007, the Company employed a total of 4,286 people. Approximately 14.2% of the employees were represented by unions. The Grand Rapids, Michigan plant is the only unionized plant within the U.S. and has an agreement with the Carpenters Union, Local 1615, of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Affiliate of the Carpenters Industrial Council (the Union), covering approximately 417 hourly employees. The Collective Bargaining Agreement expires August 27, 2011. Certain workers in the facilities in Italy are also represented by unions.

13. INCOME TAXES

Income before income tax expense consists of the following:


	2007		2006		2005
	(in thousands)
U.S. operations	$	94,664	$	75,876	$	56,109
Foreign operations		18,275		18,088		7,691

	$	112,939	$	93,964	$	63,800

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Income tax expense is comprised of the following:


	2007			2006			2005
	(in thousands)
Current:
Federal	$	23,699		$	24,921		$	16,550
State		5,160			4,782			4,101
Foreign		6,367			6,930			4,313

Total current		35,226			36,633			24,964

Deferred:
Federal		5,920			(875	)		2,694
State		824			(188	)		151
Foreign		(474	)		(239	)		82

Total deferred		6,270			(1,302	)		2,927

Income tax expense	$	41,496		$	35,331		$	27,891

Income taxes paid, net of refunds received, by the Company during 2007, 2006, and 2005 totaled $35,710,000, $19,537,000, and $6,624,000 respectively.

The following table sets forth the tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities:


	2007			2006
	(in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts	$	1,560		$	1,330
Inventories		2,477			2,142
Net operating loss carryforwards		17,603			17,857
Accrued pension		4,123			12,959
Stock-based compensation		3,240			3,393
Compensation-related accruals		4,064			4,632
Warranty		3,643			2,738
Obligation for postretirement benefits other than pension		9,105			11,171
Accrued liabilities and other items		4,730			5,155

Gross deferred tax assets		50,545			61,377
Valuation allowance		(17,047	)		(17,879	)

Net deferred tax assets		33,498			43,498

Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangibles		60,399			54,326
Plant and equipment		15,224			17,421

Gross deferred tax liabilities		75,623			71,747

Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(42,125	)	$	(28,249	)

As of December 31, 2007, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards totaling approximately $47,964,000 in various foreign tax jurisdictions which may be carried forward for an unlimited time.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Future tax benefits recognized through reductions of the valuation allowance for net operating loss carryforwards that existed as of February 29, 1996, the date the Company was formed, will generally reduce goodwill. The Company provides a valuation allowance against net foreign deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty that they can be realized.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate:


	2007		2006		2005
Federal statutory tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Increase in the tax rate resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal effect	3.4		3.2		3.5
Effect of tax rates of other countries	(0.7	)	—		0.5
Non-deductible IPO expense	—		0.4		—
Taxes related to the repatriation of foreign earnings	—		—		4.9
Section 199 deduction	(1.4	)	(0.8	)	—
Other	0.4		(0.2	)	(0.2	)

Effective tax rate	36.7	%	37.6	%	43.7	%

The Company has not made provisions for U.S. federal and state income taxes as of December 31, 2007 on $66 million of foreign earnings that are expected to be reinvested indefinitely. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to the various foreign countries. Determination of the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practicable.

The Company adopted FASB Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007, the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year. As of January 1, 2007, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $3.4 million. The Company did not have to record any cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as a result of adopting FIN 48. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $2.8 million. The entire amount of the unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.


FIN 48 Reconciliation	2007
	(in thousands)
January 1, 2007	$	2,908
Additions for tax positions related to the current year		151
Additions for tax positions related to the prior year		231
Prior year reductions
Settlements with taxing authorities		(378	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(657	)

December 31, 2007	$	2,255

Interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in income tax expense. For the potential payment of interest and penalties, the Company had accrued $0.5 million at January 1, 2007 and $0.5 million at December 31, 2007.

As of December 31, 2007, the Company is subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax examination for the tax years 2004 through 2007, and to non-U.S. income tax examination for the tax years 2000 to 2007. In addition, the Company is subject to state and local income tax examinations for the tax years 2000 through 2007.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2007, is approximately $0.5 million related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts could significantly change during the next twelve months. This amount represents a potential decrease in unrecognized tax benefits primarily related to expiring statute of limitations in federal and state jurisdictions.

In the fourth quarter of 2004, the United States Congress passed The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the Act), which introduced a new tax deduction for computing taxable profits from the sale of products manufactured in the United States and a special one-time dividends received deduction on the repatriation of certain foreign earnings upon meeting certain criteria. The Act provides for a deduction of 85% of foreign earnings that are repatriated. The deduction was available through December 31, 2005. On July 27, 2005, the Company formalized a plan to repatriate $45 million of foreign earnings from its Canadian operations. The Company repatriated $20 million during the third quarter of 2005 and repatriated the remaining $25 million during the fourth quarter of 2005. As a result of the repatriation, the Company recorded additional tax expense of $3.1 million in 2005.

14. LEASES

The Company has commitments under operating leases for certain machinery and equipment as well as manufacturing, warehousing, showroom and other facilities used in its operations. Some of the leases contain renewal provisions and generally require the Company to pay certain operating expenses, including utilities, insurance and taxes, which are subject to escalation. In 2004, the Company entered into a lease for one of its showrooms which contained a provision for cash abatements related to certain leasehold improvements. In 2007, the Company entered into a lease for one of its showrooms which contained a provision for cash abatements related to certain leasehold improvements. These abatements are recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent expense over the lease term. The unamortized portion as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $1,792,000 and $1,586,000, respectively. Total rental expense for 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $13,953,000, $12,035,000 and $10,965,000, respectively. Future minimum rental payments required under those operating leases that have a remaining non-cancelable lease term in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):


2008	$	10,725
2009		9,513
2010		7,396
2011		5,512
2012		4,912
Subsequent years		11,674

Total minimum rental payments	$	49,732

15. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company has two domestic defined benefit pension plans and two plans providing for other postretirement benefits, including medical and life insurance coverage. One of the pension plans and one of the other postretirement benefits plans cover eligible U.S. nonunion employees while the other pension plan and other postretirement benefits plan cover eligible U.S. union employees. The Company uses a September 30 measurement date for both of their plans.

On December 31, 2006, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of Statement 158. Statement 158 required the Company to recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of its pension plan in the December 31, 2006 statement of

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

financial position, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income at adoption represents the net unrecognized actuarial losses, unrecognized prior service costs, and unrecognized transition obligation remaining from the initial adoption of Statement 87, all of which were previously netted against the plan’s funded status in the Company’s statement of financial position pursuant to the provisions of Statement 87. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as net periodic pension cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic pensions cost in the same periods will be recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost on the same basis as the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at adoption of Statement 158.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the benefit obligation, plan assets and accrued benefit cost related to the pension and other postretirement benefits provided by the Company (in thousands):


	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2007			2006			2007			2006
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at January 1	$	121,635		$	107,995		$	28,702		$	27,018
Service cost		10,179			9,666			646			634
Interest cost		7,262			6,346			1,667			1,564
Participant contributions		229			259			—			—
Plan amendments		—			—			—			82
Actuarial (gain) loss		(6,949	)		(1,395	)		(5,949	)		586
Benefits paid		(1,795	)		(1,236	)		(1,451	)		(1,565	)

Projected benefit obligation at December 31	$	130,561		$	121,635		$	23,615		$	28,319

Accumulated benefit obligation, December 31	$	113,917		$	107,258		$	—		$	—
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at January 1	$	88,375		$	75,640		$	—		$	—
Actual return on plan assets		11,875			6,798			—			—
Employer contributions		12,737			6,914			1,814			1,565
Participant contributions		229			259			—			—
Benefits paid		(1,795	)		(1,236	)		(1,451	)		(1,565	)

Fair value of plan assets at December 31	$	111,421		$	88,375		$	363		$	—

Funded status	$	(19,140	)	$	(33,260	)	$	(23,252	)	$	(28,319	)

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company amended its post-65 retiree Health Care Plan to replace prescription drug coverage with a Medicare Part D reimbursement capped at $40 per month.

Effective January 1, 2007, the Company amended its post retirement Health Care Plan to share costs equally for retirees with 90 points (age plus years of service). Retirees with less than 90 points will pay the full cost of insurance.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following disclosures are required with the adoption of SFAS No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (in thousands):


	Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
	2007			2006			2007			2006
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet consist of:
Noncurrent assets	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Current Liabilities		(8,500	)		(5,813	)		(1,500	)		(1,684	)
Noncurrent liabilities		(10,640	)		(27,447	)		(21,752	)		(26,635	)
Intangible Asset		—			—						—
Accumulated other comprehensive income		—			—						—

Net amount recognized	$	(19,140	)	$	(33,260	)	$	(23,252	)	$	(28,319	)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
before taxes:
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$	4,520		$	16,937		$	9,132		$	16,135
Prior service cost (benefit)		399			475			(11,931	)		(13,275	)

Net amount recognized	$	4,919		$	17,412		$	(2,799	)	$	2,860

The estimated net actuarial loss, and prior service cost, for the defined benefit pension plans included in accumulated other comprehensive income and expected to be recognized in net periodic pension cost during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 is $12,000 and $77,000 respectively.

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations of the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:


	2007		2006
Discount rate	6.50	%	6.00	%
Rate of compensation	4.00		4.00

The following table sets forth the components of the net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefits plans:


	Pension Benefits									Other Benefits
	2007			2006			2005			2007			2006			2005
							(in thousands)
Service cost	$	10,179		$	9,666		$	8,629		$	646		$	634		$	875
Interest cost		7,262			6,346			5,240			1,667			1,564			1,866
Expected return on plan assets		(7,103	)		(6,225	)		(4,902	)		—			—			—
Amortization of prior service cost		77			77			77			(1,343	)		(1,354	)		(223	)
Recognized actuarial loss		694			942			180			1,054			937			433

Net periodic benefit cost	$	11,109		$	10,806		$	9,224		$	2,024		$	1,781		$	2,951

Additional Information
Increase (decrease) in minimum liability included in other comprehensive income	$	—		$	(4,705	)	$	7,254		$	—		$	—		$	—

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:


	Pension Benefits				Other Benefits
	2007		2006		2007		2006
Discount rate	6.00	%	5.90	%	6.00	%	5.90	%
Expected return on plan assets	8.25		8.50		N/A		N/A
Rate of compensation increase	4.00		4.00		4.00		4.00

The expected long-term rate of return on assets is based on management’s expectations of long-term average rates of return to be earned on the investment portfolio. In establishing this assumption, management considers historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the plan assets are invested.

For purposes of measuring the benefit obligation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007, associated with the Company’s other postretirement benefit plans, a 8% annual rate of increase in the per capital cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2008. The rate was then assumed to decrease 1.0% per year to an ultimate rate of 5% for 2012 and thereafter. For purpose of measuring the net periodic benefit cost as of and for the year ended December 31, 2007 associated with the Company’s other postretirement benefits plans, a 9.0% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2007. Increasing the assumed health care cost trend rate by 1.0% would increase the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2007 by $3,173,000 and increase the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for 2007 by $206,000. Decreasing the assumed health care cost trend rate by 1.0% would decrease the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2007 by $2,643,000 and decrease the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for 2007 by $172,000.

The Company’s pension plans’ weighted-average asset allocations as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, by asset category were as follows:


	Plan Assets at December 31
Asset Category	2007		2006
Temporary Investment Funds	3	%	4	%
Equity Investment Funds	62		62
Fixed Income Funds	35		34

Total	100	%	100	%

The Company’s pension plans’ investment policy includes an asset mix based on the Company’s risk posture. The investment policy states a target allocation of 60% equity funds and 40% fixed income funds. Inclusion of the fixed income funds is to provide growth through income and these funds should primarily invest in fixed income instruments of the U.S. Treasury and government agencies and investment-grade corporate bonds. The equity fund investments can consist of a broadly diversified domestic equity fund, an actively managed domestic equity fund and an actively managed international equity fund. The purpose of these funds is to provide the opportunity for capital appreciation, income, and the ability to diversify investments outside the U.S. equity market. Mutual funds are used as the plans’ investment vehicle since they have clearly stated investment objectives and guidelines, offer a high degree of investment flexibility, offer competitive long-term results, and are cost effective for small asset balances.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The Company expects to contribute $8,500,000 to its pension plans and $1,500,000 to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2008. Estimated future benefit payments under our pension and other postretirement plans were as follows:


	Pension Benefits		Other Benefits
	(in thousands)
2008	$	2,027	$	2,016
2009		2,787		1,843
2010		3,349		1,972
2011		4,046		1,961
2012		4,875		2,022
2013-2017		41,713		11,114

Employees of the Canadian, Belgium and United Kingdom operations participate in defined contribution pension plans sponsored by the Company. The Company’s expense related to these plans for 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $1,338,000, $1,352,000, and $1,105,000 respectively.

The Company also sponsors a 401(k) retirement savings plan for all U.S. employees. Under this plan, participants may defer a portion of their earnings up to the annual contribution limits established by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company matches 40.0% of participant contributions up to the first 6.0% of compensation for nonunion employees and matches 50.0% of participant contributions up to the first 6.0% of compensation for union employees. For participants who are nonunion employees, the plan provides for additional discretionary employer matching based on the achievement of certain profitability goals. The plan also provides that the Company may make discretionary contributions of common stock to participant accounts on behalf of all actively employed U.S. participants. Company contributions generally vest ratably over a five-year period. A Knoll common stock fund consisting of 1,000,000 shares of common stock into which participants may invest the compensation they elect to defer was established on December 14, 2004. Participant contributions into the Knoll common stock fund will be limited to no more than 10% of their total account balance in the plan. Participant contributions in the Knoll common stock fund may be transferred into other investment alternatives and distributed in the form of shares of Knoll common stock if so invested at the time of distribution.

The Company’s total expense under the 401(k) plan was $3,443,000, $2,802,000, and $3,035,000 for 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

16. STOCK PLANS

Stock Incentive Plans

As of December 31, 2007, the Company sponsored two stock incentive plans under which awards denominated or payable in shares or options to purchase shares of Knoll common stock may be granted to officers, certain other employees, directors and consultants of the Company. On February 28, 2007, one of the Company’s two stock incentive plans expired reducing the number of shares available to grant under the plans by approximately 8,000. In May 2007, the Company approved the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan which authorized the issuance of 2,000,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2007, a combined maximum of 25,927,640 shares were authorized for issuance under the plans and 2,635,762 remained available for issuance. A Stock Option Committee currently consisting of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Stock Option Committee”) has sole discretion concerning administration of the plans, including selection of individuals to receive awards, types of awards, the terms and conditions of the awards and the time at which awards will be granted. Options that are granted have a maximum contractual life of ten years. Grants to

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

employees generally become partially vested one year from the date of the award agreement. On such date for the majority of options granted, 30% of the shares covered by the options become available for exercise. An additional 20% vest and become available on the second and third anniversaries and an additional 30% on the fourth anniversary. For some of the options granted 25%, vest each year for four years. In addition, the options generally have accelerated vesting provisions upon a change of control of the Company. With the implementation of SFAS 123(R), the Company is recognizing compensation expense using the graded vesting attribution method which treats each option grant as multiple grants each with its own requisite service period.

In 2004 and 2005 under the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, the Company granted performance-based restricted stock awards to certain key employees aggregating 1,650,000 shares of common stock. These awards provide for the delivery of shares of common stock to award recipients upon the satisfaction of certain vesting requirements. The restricted stock awards will vest as to one-sixth of the shares underlying each award to the extent that the average Knoll operating profit for any two-year period is equal to $100.0 million. An additional one-sixth will vest based on additional increments to operating profit of $15.0 million over such a period, with full vesting upon the achievement of $175.0 million in average operating profit over such a period. In any event, the awards will fully vest on the sixth anniversary of the date of the grant and will be subject to pro rata vesting upon a change of control of the Company, if earlier, regardless of whether the operating profit targets are met. The Company determined the fair value of the shares on the date of grant and is recognizing compensation expense ratably over the vesting period.

In 2007, under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan and the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, the Company granted restricted stock awards to certain key employees aggregating 514,654 shares of common stock. These awards provide for the delivery of shares of common stock to award recipients upon the satisfaction of certain vesting requirements. 360,000 of these shares will vest as to one-fifth of the shares underlying each award to the extent that Knoll operating profit for the period is equal to $141.0 million. An additional one-fifth will vest based on additional increments to operating profit of $15.0 million over such a period, with full vesting upon the achievement of $201.0 million in operating profit. In any event, the awards will fully vest on the fifth anniversary of the date of the grant and will be subject to pro rata vesting upon a change of control of the Company, if earlier, regardless of whether the operating profit targets are met. 154,654 of these shares granted in 2007 vest one-third over the next three years, without regard to operating profit targets. The Company determined the fair value of the shares on the date of grant and is recognizing compensation expense ratably over the vesting period.

The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock activity during the year:


	2007
	Number of Shares Granted		Weighted Average Fair Value
Outstanding at the beginning of the year	1,586,000		$	15.11
Granted	514,654			21.35
Forfeited	(133,334	)		15.00
Vested	(264,329	)		15.00

Outstanding at the end of the year	1,702,991			16.76

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity during the year:


	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
						(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2006	4,774,546		$	13.64
Exercised	(2,225,033	)		12.59
Granted	295,000			23.19
Expired	(8	)		10.94
Forfeited	(89,498	)		16.62

Balance at December 31, 2007	2,755,007		$	15.39	5.16	$	5,140

Exercisable at end of year	1,937,808		$	14.19	4.13	$	4,543

Generally, options were granted with an exercise price that equals the market price of a share of Knoll common stock on the date of grant, while the Company’s stock was publicly traded, or the estimated fair value of a share of Knoll common stock on the date of grant, using an outside appraisal, subsequent to November 4, 1999 through December 13, 2004, when the Company’s stock was not publicly traded. Options that were granted generally vest in installments over either a four- or five-year period, beginning one year from the date of grant.

The following table summarizes information regarding stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2007:


	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Number of Options	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Number of Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price
$ 9.55 – $10.94	625,334	2.17 years	$	10.73	625,334	$	10.73
$14.52 – $18.77	1,839,673	5.55		15.79	1,306,224		15.81
$20.04 – 23.47	290,000	9.16		22.89	6,250		20.04

$ 9.55 – 23.47	2,755,007	5.16		15.38	1,937,808		14.19

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $7.70, $5.27 and $3.80 respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $24.1 million, $26.9 million, and $21.2 million, respectively. The total fair value of shares vested during the years 2007, 2006, and 2005 was $1.3 million, $5.0 million, and $4.9 million, respectively.

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested shares as of December 31, 2007, and changes during the year ended December 31, 2007, is presented below.


	Number of Options		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2007	948,621		3.81
Granted	295,000		7.70
Vested	(336,924	)	3.93
Forfeited	(89,498	)	5.20

Nonvested at December 31, 2007	817,199		5.22

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of December 31, 2007, there was $21.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.9 years.

Other Stock-Based Compensation Plans

On November 4, 1999, the Company established The Knoll Stock Ownership Award Plan, under which it may grant notional stock units to substantially all individuals employed by the Company in Canada as of the effective date of the plan. Participants vest their interest in notional stock units ratably according to years of service, with such units being 100% vested at the end of five years of service. On November 4, 1999, the Company granted a total of 109,800 notional stock units, with an estimated fair value of $14.00 per unit, to eligible employees. All outstanding shares became fully vested on November 4, 2004. In September 2004 and in January 2001, the number of notional units outstanding was adjusted, in accordance with the plan provisions, in response to special cash dividends that were paid to stockholders. In addition the number of notional units outstanding was adjusted, in accordance with plan provisions, for each quarterly cash dividend declared since the Company went public December 14, 2004. Compensation expense is recognized based on the estimated fair value of notional stock units and vesting provisions. Total compensation expense (income) incurred in connection with this award was ($881,000) for 2007, $815,000 for 2006 and ($33,000) for 2005.

As of December 31, 2007, approximately 118,494 notional units were outstanding and fully vested.

As discussed in Note 15, the Company may contribute shares of Knoll common stock into participant 401(k) plan accounts at its discretion. The Company contributed 300,200 shares into the 401(k) plan for substantially all individuals employed by the Company in the U.S. as of November 4, 1999. In connection with this award, the Company recognized $4,203,000 of compensation expense, which was based on a value of $14.00 per share. During 2006 and 2005, the Company repurchased 7,200, and 7,300 of the contributed common shares, respectively, from the 401(k) plan at a weighted average price per share of $19.51 during 2006, and $16.89 during 2005, respectively. Such shares are held in treasury.

In December 2004, the Company established an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) whereby employees of the Company may purchase shares of Knoll common stock at a discounted rate. The discount rate is 5% off the average of the high and low sale price per share on the last Trading Day of the purchase period. Employees may contribute 1-10% of their eligible gross pay up to a $25,000 annual stock value limit. In 2007 and 2006, employees purchased 3,637 and 3,433 shares, respectively in accordance with the terms of the ESPP.

17. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC REGION INFORMATION

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” management evaluates the Company as one reporting segment in the office furniture industry. The Company is engaged worldwide in the design, manufacture and sale of office furniture products and accessories through its wholly owned subsidiaries. Throughout the world, the product offerings, the production processes, the methods of distribution, and the customers serviced are similar. The Company’s product offerings consist primarily of office furniture systems, seating, files and storage, and other specialty products. These product offerings are marketed, distributed, and managed primarily as a group of similar products on an overall portfolio basis.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The Company’s net sales by product category were as follows:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2007		2006		2005
	(in thousands)
Office Systems	$	561,956	$	555,006	$	458,840
Specialty Products		200,103		158,792		134,372
Seating		118,364		105,149		84,417
Files and Storage		81,022		81,314		58,750
European Products		89,677		76,381		63,017
Other		4,692		5,510		8,564

	$	1,055,814	$	982,152	$	807,960

The Company markets its products in the United States and internationally, with its principal international markets being Canada and Europe. The table below contains information about the geographical areas in which the Company operates. Sales to clients are attributed to the geographic areas based on the origin of sale.


	United States		Canada		Europe		Consolidated
	(in thousands)
2007
Sales to clients	$	926,018	$	36,739	$	93,057	$	1,055,814
Property, plant and equipment, net		85,824		41,394		16,425		143,643

2006
Sales to clients	$	870,713	$	33,216	$	78,223	$	982,152
Property, plant and equipment, net		88,105		35,513		14,111		137,729

2005
Sales to clients	$	715,453	$	29,490	$	63,017	$	807,960
Property, plant and equipment, net		95,074		35,070		12,022		142,166

A number of U.S. government agencies purchase the Company’s products through multiple contracts with the General Services Administration (“GSA”). Sales under GSA contracts amounted to $99,167,000 in 2007, $124,183,000 in 2006, and $99,291,000 in 2005.

KNOLL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

18. QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

The following tables contain selected unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations data for each quarter for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.


	First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter		Fiscal Year
	(in thousands, except per share data)
2007
Sales	$	247,947	$	272,089	$	253,962	$	281,816	$	1,055,814
Gross profit		84,528		93,389		88,249		98,959		365,125
Net income		14,828		17,514		18,413		20,688		71,443
Earnings per share—basic	$	.31	$	.36	$	.38	$	.43	$	1.48
Earnings per share—diluted	$	.30	$	.35	$	.37	$	.42	$	1.45

2006
Sales	$	218,100	$	247,476	$	243,609	$	272,967	$	982,152
Gross profit		69,773		78,965		81,220		89,079		319,037
Net income		10,253		14,752		15,639		17,989		58,633
Earnings per share—basic	$	.19	$	.29	$	.32	$	.38	$	1.18
Earnings per share—diluted	$	.19	$	.28	$	.31	$	.37	$	1.14

19. OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME

The components of other (expense) income are as follows:


	December 31
	2007			2006			2005
	(in thousands)
Foreign exchange transaction gain (loss)	$	(4,203	)	$	562		$	(2,261	)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivatives		(71	)		(703	)		295
Write-off of deferred financing fees		(1,195	)		—			(3,562	)
Fees associated with the amended and restated credit agreement		—			—			(1,056	)
Other		818			882			1,229

Other income (expense), net	$	(4,651	)	$	741		$	(5,355	)

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

None

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. We, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this report (December 31, 2007) (“Disclosure Controls”). Based upon the Disclosure Controls evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Disclosure Controls are effective in reaching a reasonable level of assurance that (i) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes without limitation, maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions, providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements, providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of company assets are made in accordance with management authorization, and providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of company assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007. Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007; their report is included on page 69.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Knoll, Inc.

We have audited Knoll’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Knoll, 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 Annual 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, Knoll, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the COSO criteria. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Knoll, Inc. as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007 of Knoll, Inc. and our report dated February 25, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst and Young LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

February 25, 2008

ITEM 9B.

OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by Item 10 relating to directors, director nominees and executive officers of the registrant is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Board of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Board Meetings and Committees,” “Code of Ethics,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” contained in our Proxy Statement for our 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”).

The information relating to the identification of the audit committee, audit committee financial expert and director nomination procedures of the registrant is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Board Meetings and Committees” contained in our Proxy Statement.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a code of ethics for all employees. This code is made available free of charge on our website at www.knoll.com. For further information see subsection “Code of Ethics” in our Proxy Statement.

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Executive Compensation” contained in our Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12.

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

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans


	Equity Compensation Plan Information As of December 31, 2007
Plan Category	Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options (a)	Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options (b)		Number of Shares Remaining for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders	2,755,007	$	15.38	2,635,762
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders	—		—	—

Total	2,755,007			2,635,762

If there is an expiration, termination, or cancellation of any benefit granted under the plans without the issuance of shares, the shares subject to or reserved for that benefit may again be used for new stock options, rights, or awards of any type authorized under the plans.

All other information required by Item 12 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” contained in our Proxy Statement.

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Director Independence” contained in our Proxy Statement.

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” contained in our Proxy Statement.

PART IV

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)	Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K:

(1)

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (ITEM 8)

•

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006.

•

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

•

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

•

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005.

•

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

•

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule.

(2)

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

•

Financial Statement Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is filed with this Form 10-K on page S-1 of this Form 10-K. All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable regulation of the Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

(3)

EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number		Description
3.1 (a)		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Knoll, Inc.

3.2 (n)		Amended and Restated By-Laws of Knoll, Inc.

4.1 (a)		Form of Stock Certificate.

10.1 (b)		Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 20, 1995, by and between Westinghouse and T.K.G. Acquisition Corp.

10.2 (c)		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2007, by and among Knoll, Inc., the domestic subsidiaries of Knoll, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender, and L/C Issuer, Banc of America Securities LLC, as sole Lead Arranger and sole Book Manager, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Syndication Agent, Citizens Bank, as Documentation Agent, and the other lenders party thereto.

10.3 (i)*		Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, executed March 14, 2006, effective as of January 1, 2006, between Knoll, Inc. and Burton B. Staniar.

10.4 (e)*		Employment Agreement, dated as of March 23, 2001, between Knoll, Inc. and Andrew B. Cogan.

10.5 (a)*		Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2004, between Knoll, Inc. and Andrew B. Cogan.

10.6 (i)*		Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2006, between Knoll, Inc. and Andrew B. Cogan.

10.7(k) *		Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2006, between Knoll, Inc. and Andrew B. Cogan.

10.8 (n)*		Amendment No. 4 to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2007, between Knoll, Inc. and Andrew B. Cogan.


Exhibit Number		Description
10.9 (e)*		Employment Agreement, dated as of March 23, 2001, between Knoll, Inc. and Kathleen G. Bradley.

10.10 (a)*		Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2004, between Knoll, Inc. and Kathleen G. Bradley.

10.11(i)*		Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2006, between Knoll, Inc. and Kathleen G. Bradley.

10.12 (k) *		Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2006, between Knoll, Inc. and Kathleen G. Bradley.

10.13*		Summary of Barry L. McCabe 2008 Compensation.

10.14 (a)*		Offer Letter, dated March 11, 1999, from Knoll, Inc. to Stephen A. Grover.

10.15*		Summary of Stephen A. Grover 2008 Compensation.

10.16 (a)*		Offer Letter, dated July 30, 1999, from Knoll, Inc. to Arthur C. Graves.

10.17*		Summary of Arthur C. Graves 2008 Compensation.

10.18 (d)		Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of November 4, 1999, among Knoll, Inc., Warburg, Pincus Ventures, L.P., and the signatories thereto.

10.19 (a)		Amendment and Waiver to Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2004, among Knoll, Inc., Warburg, Pincus Ventures, L.P., and the signatories thereto.

10.20 (d)		Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement (Common Stock Under Stock Incentive Plans), dated as of November 4, 1999, among Knoll, Inc., Warburg, Pincus Ventures, L.P., and the signatories thereto.

10.21 (a)		Amendment and Waiver to Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement (Common Stock Under Stock Incentive Plans), dated as of September 8, 2004, among Knoll, Inc., Warburg, Pincus Ventures, L.P., and the signatories thereto.

10.22 (d)*		Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.

10.23 (d)*		Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan.

10.24 (a)*		Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.

10.25 (o)*		Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan.

10.26 (p)*		Knoll, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.

10.27 (f)*		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, entered into by Knoll, Inc. and certain executive officers.

10.28 (f)*		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, entered into by Knoll, Inc. and certain executive officers.

10.29 (d)*		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, entered into by Knoll, Inc. and certain executive officers.

10.30*		Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, entered into by Knoll, Inc. and certain executive officers.

10.31 (a)*		Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (time vesting with accelerated performance vesting).

10.32 (i)*		Form of Amendment to Restricted Share Agreement under the Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (time vesting with accelerated performance vesting).


Exhibit Number		Description
10.33*		Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (time vesting).

10.34*		Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (time vesting with accelerated performance vesting).

10.35*		Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (time vesting).

10.36*		Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (time vesting).

10.37 (q)		Asset Purchase Agreement, dated September 13, 2007, among El Leather Acquisition LLC, Teddy & Arthur Edelman, Limited, John Edelman, The Edelman Family Grantor Retained Annuity Trust and John McPhee.

10.38 (m)		Agreement between the Knoll, Inc. Grand Rapids and United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Carpenters Industrial Council Local 1615, dated August 27, 2006.

10.39 (a)*		Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement.

10.40 (a)*		Offer Letter, dated October 6, 2004, from Knoll, Inc. to John F. Maypole.

10.41 (a)*		Offer Letter, dated October 6, 2004, from Knoll, Inc. to Anthony P. Terracciano.

10.42 (a)*		Form of Knoll Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

10.43 (h)*		Offer Letter, dated November 23, 2005, from Knoll, Inc. to Stephen F. Fisher.

10.44 (i)*		Summary of Informal Healthcare Severance Policy.

10.45 (j)		Stock Purchase Agreement, dated August 1, 2006, between Knoll, Inc. and Warburg Pincus Ventures, L.P.

10.46 (l)*		Offer Letter, dated September 25, 2006, from Knoll, Inc. to Sarah E. Nash.

10.47 (n)*		Andrew B. Cogan 2008 Incentive Compensation Letter, dated December 5, 2007.

10.48 (n)*		Barry L. McCabe 2008 Incentive Compensation Letter, dated December 5, 2007.

10.49 (n)*		Stephen A. Grover 2008 Incentive Compensation Letter, dated December 5, 2007.

10.50 (n)*		Arthur C. Graves 2008 Incentive Compensation Letter, dated December 5, 2007.

21		Subsidiaries of Knoll, Inc.

23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

24.1		Power of Attorney [(included on signature page)].

31.1		Certification for Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

31.2		Certification for Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

32.1		Certification for Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification for Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(a)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-118901), which was declared effective by the Commission on December 13, 2004.

(b)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-2972), which was declared effective by the Commission on June 12, 1996.

(c)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, which was filed with the Commission on June 29,2007.

(d)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

(e)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

(f)	See Exhibit 10.29. Exhibit is substantially identical to Exhibit 10.29.

(g)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

(h)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 6, 2005.

(i)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.

(j)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 3, 2006.

(k)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 11, 2006.

(l)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 27, 2006.

(m)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 28, 2006.

(n)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 10, 2007.

(o)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 9, 2007.

(p)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on November 9, 2007.

(q)	Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 14, 2007.

*	Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement required to be identified by Item 15(a) (3) of Form 10-K.

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 on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on this 29^th day of February 2008.


KNOLL, INC.

By:		/s/ ANDREW B. COGAN
		Andrew B. Cogan
		Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Andrew B. Cogan and Barry L. McCabe, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report on Form 10-K has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.



/s/ BURTON B. STANIAR Burton B. Staniar	Chairman of the Board	February 29, 2008

/s/ ANDREW B. COGAN Andrew B. Cogan	Chief Executive Officer, Knoll, Inc. and Director	February 29, 2008

/s/ KATHLEEN G. BRADLEY Kathleen G. Bradley	President and Chief Executive Officer, Knoll North America and Director	February 29, 2008

/s/ BARRY L. MCCABE Barry L. McCabe	Chief Financial Officer	February 29, 2008

/s/ JEFFREY A. HARRIS Jeffrey A. Harris	Director	February 29, 2008

/s/ SIDNEY LAPIDUS Sidney Lapidus	Director	February 29, 2008

/s/ KEWSONG LEE Kewsong Lee	Director	February 29, 2008

/s/ JOHN F. MAYPOLE John F. Maypole	Director	February 29, 2008

/s/ ANTHONY P. TERRACCIANO Anthony P. Terracciano	Director	February 29, 2008

/s/ SARAH E. NASH Sarah E. Nash	Director	February 29, 2008

/s/ STEPHEN F. FISHER Stephen F. Fisher	Director	February 29, 2008

SCHEDULE II

KNOLL, INC.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(In Thousands)


Description	Balance at Beginning of Year	Additions Charged to Expenses	Charge-Offs	Other (1)		Balance at End of Year
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended December 31, 2005	5,392	1,321	2,796	(91	)	3,826
Year ended December 31, 2006	3,826	1,224	1,660	(53	)	3,337
Year ended December 31, 2007	3,337	1,560	710	(2	)	4,185
Allowance for other non-trade receivables:
Year ended December 31, 2005	1,980	—	329	—		1,651
Year ended December 31, 2006	1,651	—	274	—		1,377
Year ended December 31, 2007	1,377	—	335	—		1,042
Reserve for inventory valuation:
Year ended December 31, 2005	6,347	971	2,026	(261	)	5,031
Year ended December 31, 2006	5,031	2,239	982	174		6,462
Year ended December 31, 2007	6,462	2,638	2,250	59		6,909
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets:
Year ended December 31, 2005	15,994	1,171	488	164		16,841
Year ended December 31, 2006	16,841	1,046	2,163	2,155		17,879
Year ended December 31, 2007	17,879	1	2,533	1,700		17,047
Reserve for warranty claims:
Year ended December 31, 2005	5,019	6,994	6,500	8		5,521
Year ended December 31, 2006	5,521	9,667	7,775	23		7,436
Year ended December 31, 2007	7,436	11,637	9,135	140		10,078

(1)	Primarily the impact of currency changes

S-1