Howard Miller
A Modern American Icon Founded in the Roaring 20’s
Howard Miller Clock Company was founded in 1926 in Zeeland, Michigan, by a different but quite similar name: the Herman Miller Clock Company. This was originally just a division of Herman Miller Furniture Company, which itself was only just renamed to this in 1923 when acting president of then Michigan Star Furniture Company Dirk Jan De Pree employed the help of his father-in-law, Herman Miller, to purchase the majority of shares in the company. While Herman Miller focused on modern furniture, Howard Miller carved his own path in timekeeping, quickly becoming one of America’s most recognizable makers of fine clocks. Interestingly, though the companies became fully split in 1937, their headquarters have remained across the street from each other for nearly a century. This streak will come to an end when Howard Miller shuts down fully in 2026.
From Traditional Craft to Contemporary Style
Howard Miller originally specialized in mantel clocks and wall clocks, remaining a small player until the arrival of a figure important not just to Howard Miller, but the 20th century as a whole: George Nelson. George Nelson was an industrial designer born in Connecticut who is today considered one of the founders of American modernist design. After graduating with a degree in both architecture and fine arts from Yale, he worked as a draft editor for a decade, during this time pioneering the idea of a “family room” and built in bookshelves and storage. George Nelson was hired in 1947 at Herman Miller as Director of Design, despite the fact that he had zero experience designing furniture. The nature of Nelson’s contract was such that he had freedom to work independently from Herman Miller, in fact establishing his own design company in 1947 which he fully incorporated in 1955 to George Nelson Associates, Inc. George Nelson Associates was responsible for a vast new line of clock designs which catapulted Howard Miller to commercial success. The company gained international recognition for its grandfather (floor) clocks, which were not produced until the 1960’s, which saw a general flood in the market for grandfather clocks. Their craftsmanship combined:
High-quality materials
Elegant cabinetry
Precision German movements (often supplied by Kieninger, which Howard Miller later acquired in 1993)
These signature longcase clocks became prized family heirlooms and symbols of American design excellence. Throughout the years Howard Miller has also done collaborative designs and special edition cases; they worked with many large companies to supply mantel clocks for work anniversaries, typical of many American clock makers, but also did celebrity collaborations such as with Ty Pennington of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in 2008.
Expansion and Innovation
Over the decades, Howard Miller expanded its inventory as market demands shifted and new styles became pioneered. They are most well known for:
Curio cabinets
Modern wall clocks
Contemporary décor
Collector series clocks
High-end limited-edition pieces
Despite adapting to new styles and consumer tastes, forever led by the many designers working with George Nelson Associates, the company maintained its reputation for quality woodworking and precision engineering.
A Legacy Still Alive… Until Now
Unlike many early American clockmakers, Howard Miller remained operational into the 21st century, carrying nearly a hundred years of craftsmanship into the modern market. Their clocks continue to be cherished pieces in homes, offices, and collections around the world. However, even this iconic company has proven not to be immune to the ravages of time, even that which counts time itself. In 2025, Howard Miller announced that due to poor housing market conditions and the impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs, they would be closing down operations. Unable to find a buyer for company and facilities, they will be fully ceasing functioning and liquidating inventory by 2026. Farewell to the final legacy of American clock manufacturing.
