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2009 Smith System Catalog Launches New Products and New Look

New products and brand identity reflect Smith System’s mission “for inspired learning”

PLANO, TEXAS – (February 24, 2009) – For more than 100 years, Smith System (www.smithsystem.com) has maintained its position as a leader in school furniture by being proactive and responsive to the changing dynamics of K-12 curriculum, classrooms and students. With the introduction of its 2009 catalog, Smith System has unveiled not only a number of significant new products but also a new company identity.

The new products and identity illustrate Smith System’s commitment to fostering learning environments that inspire students and teachers to excel. In addition to a refreshed logo, the company’s new tagline, “furniture for inspired learning,” reflects an alignment between Smith System’s core values and its direction for the future.

“As schools continue to evolve to meet changing teaching and learning styles, so should the furniture,” said Bill Risdall, vice president of marketing at Smith System. “The role that classroom furniture plays is more vital than ever. More than just a space that gets occupied during the school day, furniture helps create a learning environment where students are open to the possibilities and inspired to learn. Smith’s new products and new look embody this belief.”

While an updated brand identity may be an exciting change for some, according to Risdall, the real energy and excitement comes from the company’s new products.

“The refreshed tagline and logo are a result of the energy and potential we see in our new products,” said Risdall. “Not only are we better positioned to serve a broader spectrum of school and campus needs, but we’re also introducing what we feel are ‘game changing’ options that enable schools to express who they are and fulfill their specific needs.”

New products introduced in the 2009 catalog include:

• UXL – The UXL line brings Smith System functionality, durability and style to secondary and post-secondary institutions. A comprehensive solution, UXL offers high schools and colleges a complete integrated system for outfitting the entire school — from classrooms to commons.
• Elemental Desk – A first of its kind from Smith System, the Elemental Desk’s open-front design allows students unencumbered access to their stored books and supplies, while the roomy book box eliminates the need to cram materials into tiny storage spaces. Additionally, the Elemental Desk’s unique mix-and-match color system brings the use of color in the classroom to a whole new level.
• Mobile Book Box – Nicknamed the “fun size book truck,” the Mobile Book Box holds study materials like text books and trapper keepers, making it easier for students in cooperative learning classrooms to rearrange their desks for different lessons.
• Lockers for Student Desks – The new student desk lockers provide more than 3,800 cu. in. of secure storage capacity. Designed to easily contain a laptop and other valuables, the locker features a hasp closure with a combination lock for security.

More than simply a purchasing tool, the 2009 Smith System catalog helps educators select and configure furniture to support curriculum, teaching styles and technology in the classroom. For more information on the new products or to request a 2009 catalog, please call 1-800-328-1061 or visit www.smithsystem.com.

About Smith System
Founded in 1905, Smith System (www.smithsystem.com) has helped American education evolve by being ready with the right furniture at the right time. An industry leader in school furniture innovation, Smith System is committed to developing products that support the optimum learning environments -- addressing the needs of the student, the demands of the curriculum and the realities of space, maintenance and budget.

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Media Contact:
Bill Risdall
Smith System
972.398.4050
billr@smithsystem.com

Media Contact:
Eva Keiser
Risdall McKinney Public Relations
651.286.6765
eva@risdall.com