USM Haller

USM Haller at pro office

The USM Haller modular furniture system was developed in 1963 by Fritz Haller and Paul Schärer. The name USM Haller is the acronym of (Ulrich Schärer, Münsingen).
USM furniture stands for timeless classic design, the variety of configurations and the highest value stability, which are used in offices, practices and law firms as well as in private rooms. Both in office furnishings and in the living area, the design furniture is appreciated as a modern classic.

Fritz Haller with a construction model

Furniture from USM in pro office store

The products of the company USM Haller have become classics. They are part of the permanent exhibition of the New York Museum of Modern Art.

The items can be combined with each other in any way, including furniture of different areas, such as shelves, tables, desks, containers, sideboards and lowboards. In addition to the well-known USM shelves, containers and counters, the offer also includes wardrobes, consoles, TV or printer trolleys, display cabinets, shoe racks, bedside tables, side furniture, serving trolleys and much more. Tables are also available in noble wood, such as oak, beech or walnut.

Besides the colored USM shelves, sturdy glass can also be used in the sideboard, highboard or lowboard.

For the office or home office: The USM Haller Inos Box made of high-quality fleece or the filing system Inos Box Set C4 with 5 drawers, which is adapted to the size of documents, also fit directly into the USM systems. Both the Inos Box and the Box Set are a perfect complement to the company's modular system, but can also be used in other systems.

The central USM Haller element - the sphere

The central design element is a sphere - a ball between every two elements, to which the adjacent elements are attached using a patented connection system.

With this patented ball table, sideboard, lowboard, highboard and roll container are held together. USM shelves are equipped with shelves (trays), which are stabilized with the connection system.

© by usm

USM Haller colors

The elements are available in the 14 USM colors: pure white, light gray, matte silver, medium gray, anthracite gray, graphite black, steel blue, green, gentian blue, golden yellow, pure orange, ruby red, brown and beige.

If you prefer inconspicuous colors, the variants from the black and white spectrum or brown and beige are certainly the means of choice.

Suitable color accents are steel blue, green, gentian blue, golden yellow, pure orange or ruby red, which will attract attention in any room.

Colors and emotion

Colors can trigger emotions. Each color has an individual effect on people, but principles can be derived from color psychology.

The story

Read below the extraordinary story of the USM company and the USM Haller modular furniture system:
The name USM is an acronym containing the initials of the company's founder Ulrich Schärer and the first letter of the small town in Switzerland where he founded a forge in 1885: Münsingen. Ulrich Scherer from Münsingen means USM.

At that time, there was no talk of USM Haller and no one thought of furniture manufacturing in the 19th century, but more about that later.

His sons, Alfred Paul and Robert Schärer, founded a building hardware factory in the following decades and after World War II a production of window closure systems and metal construction elements.

Also until this era the word combination USM Haller was unknown - furniture was still not a topic for the company.

The beginning

Prof. Fritz Haller was the architect of USM's new headquarters in the 1960s. The architecture was modern, modular and practical, and received a positive response in professional circles, among architects and in trade magazines - it was widely reported.

And this was also the beginning of the furniture and its groundbreaking design. The media attention inspired Paul Schärer and Fritz Haller to market the steel construction system under the new name USM Haller for industrial construction companies. The system was based on the architecture of Fritz Haller's new building.

After the construction of the new factory, where the modular metal construction system was used for the first time, two more buildings followed on the company premises, an office pavilion and, in addition, an open-plan office building - the first ever in Switzerland. However, Paul Scherer and Fritz Haller were unable to find suitable furniture for the modern architecture.

© by usm

The furniture construction system

And this was the hour of furniture: this was the birth of the USM Haller modular furniture system. Fritz Haller suggested "crafting" a furniture system from the modular concept of the architecture of the production building itself. A whole new design for furniture, borrowed from the architecture of a building. A "tinkering" that was subsequently to celebrate worldwide success as the USM Haller Modular Furniture System.

So they went to work furnishing the new administrative buildings. Once again, the design was praised in the trade press and widely publicized, so that the first interested parties became aware of the design of the new products.

The furnishing of an open-plan office of the Rothschild banking house in Paris was the first major order for the new modular furniture system.

Awarded

The modular furniture system has been part of the permanent collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art since 2001 and was already included in the collection of the State Museum of Applied Arts in Munich in 1980.

Sustainability

The useful life of a product is directly related to the environment. The longer it is used, the less it pollutes our environment. For the manufacturer, this responsible approach is a central theme in the production of its furniture from the very beginning.

High-quality materials are processed in an environmentally friendly manner and with the latest technology, guaranteeing an exceptionally long service life for the furniture.

When you move, USM Haller moves with you, and the value retention is high. Standardized USM colors mean that USM products can be reordered at any time.

© by usm

Areas of application

USM Haller furniture is stylish, clear and discreet. This sovereignty stands out in a time overloaded with impressions. Beyond its actual purpose as office furniture, the furniture is now an eye-catcher in almost every imaginable setting.

• In reception areas
• Living rooms
• Bathrooms
• children's rooms
• in the home office
• in kitchens
• cafés
• bars
• canteens
• and much more.

The intended use always remains free.

The possible combinations open up countless possibilities, such as use as a

• Filing cabinet
• TV board
• Shoe cabinet
• kitchen cabinet
• chest of drawers
• Mobile pedestal
• Bookcase
• bedside table
• and much more.

The USM systems also serve as a decorative element, for storing the record collection or as a cabinet for toys. Discover USM Haller sideboards and tables in pro office store now. We are also here for you for further information.

USM Haller FAQ

What makes USM Haller special?

USM Haller is an iconic modular metal furniture system that has been produced almost unchanged since the 1960s. Timeless design, exceptional durability and maximum flexibility make USM Haller a true design classic.

Why is USM Haller so popular?

USM Haller is popular because it works independently of trends. The system adapts equally well to residential, office and contract spaces and can be modified or expanded at any time.

Why is USM Haller so expensive?

The price reflects precise Swiss manufacturing, high-quality materials made of steel and metal, and a modular construction designed for decades of use.

Is USM Haller value-retaining?

Yes. USM Haller is considered highly value-retaining. Original pieces often achieve strong resale prices even after many years due to lasting demand for the design and quality.

Can USM Haller furniture be expanded?

Yes. USM Haller furniture is fully modular and can be expanded or reconfigured at any time – even many years after purchase.

Can USM Haller furniture be individually configured?

Yes. Dimensions, colours, internal layouts, doors, drop-down doors, cable outlets and accessories can all be individually configured.

Can I reconfigure USM Haller myself?

In principle, yes. Individual components can be replaced. For larger modifications or complete reconfigurations, professional support from a specialist retailer is recommended.

What is the function of the USM ball connector?

The USM ball is the core element of the system. It connects all components and ensures the exceptional stability of the furniture. The patented mechanism dates back to 1965.

How strong and load-bearing is USM Haller furniture?

Each USM shelf supports up to 50 kg. This makes USM Haller suitable for heavy items such as televisions or hi-fi equipment.

Can USM Haller be used as a TV or hi-fi sideboard?

Yes. Thanks to high load capacity, customizable dimensions and optional cable management, USM Haller is ideal as a TV or hi-fi sideboard.

Can USM Haller be wall-mounted?

Yes. With special wall-mounting hardware, USM Haller furniture can be installed wall-mounted, provided the wall has sufficient load-bearing capacity.

Who is behind USM Haller?

USM stands for Ulrich Schärer Münsingen. The Swiss family-owned company developed the furniture system in the 1960s together with architect Fritz Haller.

Where is USM Haller manufactured?

USM Haller furniture is predominantly manufactured in Switzerland and is subject to very high quality and production standards.