Allseating, a leader in the design and development of seating solutions, has introduced Eighty Two. The new task chair was envisioned by the company’s CEO and founder Gary Neil, in honor of Allseating’s 40th anniversary. Eighty Two celebrates the core values on which Allseating was built: stylish, intuitive, and affordable design.
As the milestone year approached, it was only natural for the team to reflect on their achievements — and to consider the next 40 years. “We were thinking about the next evolution of the company. That involved going back to our roots, 1982, when we were founded. We wanted to do something that championed where we had come from,” said Paul Vendittelli, president of Allseating.
Vendittelli noted that in recent years Allseating has expanded mid-market and high-end offerings, with much success. Yet reasonably priced task chairs remain a hallmark. “Leading up to the launch of the Eighty Two, we had introduced soft seating, modular furniture, and more advanced products. So it was time for a task chair launch. It all came together with the idea of returning to the beginning and the value proposition.”
The Eighty Two was designed to be utilized in the traditional office or at home. Many users assume that a standard chair is suitable for either area. Vendittelli said that because most people don’t have a dedicated task area within the residence, office chairs just don’t fit in. People move throughout the house to get work done. “Home office for most of us means the bedroom or a corner nook. We’re integrating our workspaces right in the living space.”
The airiness of the Eighty Two is part of its appeal to those working from home on a regular basis. Without the bulk of a typical office chair, it enhances interiors rather than detracting from them. “A task chair can’t be too heavy and it can’t dominate. It has to blend in, and I think that’s a big feature of the Eighty Two. It has a lightness to it, and we designed it with that in mind. It’s a good quality task chair, and still complements the home decor,” Vendittelli said.
The M11 mesh was created specifically for the task chair, which, Vendittelli explained, contributes to its more stylish look. “This mesh was made for the Eighty Two, it’s not available on any of our other products. It’s supportive, but it’s very sheer. It really is reminiscent of an apparel fabric. it’s not like the opaque meshes that we are used to seeing.”
The mesh is available in four colors, and when it came time to name the tints, the group jumped at the chance to put a playful spin on the usual office hues. Mixtape is a true black, while New Wave is a denim blue. Arcade is a robust red, and Stardust is a dark silver. “These colors aren’t complicated, but we wanted to have fun with this product. We came up with these names that are all related to the 1980s. We have received great feedback,” Vendittelli added.
Even though Eighty Two is at the lower end of the task chair price spectrum, it still has all of the essentials valued by an array of customers. With adjustable lumbar and arm options, Vendittelli said that it is an ideal ergonomic seating solution for today’s hybrid offices. “At the entry level price point people expect to have these certain features, but you don’t want to overcomplicate it either.”
Vendittelli explained that an activation mechanism moves the arms, and in keeping with the trim styling is discreetly tucked away. “It’s a very simple arm but highly functional. We didn’t want a big, clunky button visible on the outside of the arm. We brought it to the inside to hide it a little bit so it didn’t break the aesthetic.”
Lumbar support is built-in, a must-have for any superior chair, and the cushions offer comfort without unnecessary volume to make the piece look unattractive. “The Eighty Two has a surprisingly spacious seat, but the cushion has a nice, low profile” Vendittelli noted.
For Vendittelli, the task chair captures the Allseating ethos of value and performance. He’s not surprised that the chair has struck a chord with so many clients already. “The Eighty Two is a full chair, you don’t really need to add anything more to it. It’s well-designed and competitively priced. That’s what Allseating was founded on, and that’s who we still are today.”
