Paul Bochert
Maximilian Fleisch
Stefan Ernst
Jennifer Carp
Hanken School of Economics
Martin Fougere
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Framery’s core innovation is the creation of soundproof pods that provide private and quiet spaces within open-plan offices, addressing noise pollution and enhancing employee well-being. The innovation aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being, SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13 - Climate Action.
Framery pods solve the noise problem of open-plan workspaces. They are designed for privacy, featuring advanced acoustics, ventilation systems, adjustable lighting, and ergonomic furniture. From single-person pods to meeting spaces for up to 6 people, the pods provide quiet, private spaces that help employees focus and reduce stress – directly contributing to SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being. Additionally, pods can enhance overall performance and mental health and are proven to support neurodiverse individuals in the workplace.
Framery's innovation also contributes to sustainable economic growth, aligning with SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth. By focusing its operations and manufacturing locally in Tampere, Finland, Framery ensures ethical working conditions while promoting long-term economic stability.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production is addressed through the commitment to use mono-materials and a circular design – minimizing waste and extending product lifespan. Framery Subscribed is part of the strategy, focusing on giving spare pods a new life through a subscription model – with most of all pods produced since 2010 still in use today.
Additionally, Framery is committed to SDG 13 – Climate Action, aiming to reduce product CO2 emissions by 50% by 2028. By partnering with sustainable steel manufacturers and continuously improving supply chain sustainability, they address the urgent need to decarbonize the office sector – a significant contributor to global furniture waste. Compared to built meeting rooms, Framery Smart Pods average 30% less emissions, making their products and processes better for the planet.
The inspiration for Framery began with an everyday, widespread challenge: noise distractions in open-space offices. At the time, the two founders of Framery worked in an open office with a high general noise level. In addition to this already noisy environment, there was a particularly annoying factor: their boss regularly made loud phone calls, disturbing the entire staff.
After gathering the courage to ask their boss to turn down the volume of his calls or move to a separate room, the boss's response was anything but helpful – he suggested that they should buy him a phone booth.
The founders began to consider their boss's comment seriously. As they were looking for solutions, they were surprised to realize that there were no suitable telephone booths for offices on the market. At this point, they realized they had discovered a gap in the market. The solution was not only ideal for their problem – but for countless other companies that were struggling with the same noise problem at their offices.
Recognizing this unmet need, the founders decided to create the first soundproof phone booth for offices. Once the prototype was complete, they returned to their boss and said, "Good news: we have a phone booth for you. Bad news: we're quitting." This moment marked the birth of Framery, which has since grown into a global industry leader with multiple competitors.
In 2023, the company achieved a net impact ratio of +20%, indicating that Framery generates more value than the resources it uses. This number does not only reflect their commitment to sustainable practices, such as product and production innovation, but also the company's social impact in the modern workplace.
Framery’s soundproof pods significantly enhance three core pillars of workplace success: employee satisfaction, productivity, and psychological well-being. By offering distraction-free spaces in otherwise noisy open-plan offices, the pods allow employees to focus, reducing stress and improving both concentration and overall performance. This contributes directly to greater job satisfaction, as employees are empowered to achieve their tasks efficiently without unnecessary interruptions.
In essence, Framery pods do more than just reduce noise; they enhance workplace well-being, drive productivity, and contribute to environmental sustainability, making them a key factor in building the offices of the future.
Framery’s innovation ecosystem enables the company to continuously leverage new opportunities and maintain a competitive edge. By creating a win-win situation through strategic collaborations and using network effects within their supply chain, Framery ensures a sustainable production process. This not only meets growing consumer demand for sustainable products but also positions Framery ahead of its competition. By transitioning from manufacturing office furniture, to being a tech-driven company, the company has managed to maintain its position as a market leader and industry pioneer. New innovations like pod sensors, which track usage and provide data insight, help companies maximize the value of their pods.
As more companies recognize the need for quiet spaces in the office, and how the pods promote productivity and well-being, and positively impact business performance, Framery has introduced a subscription model to cater to the growing demand. Framery Subscribed allows companies to subscribe to pods for a monthly fee. Companies can also return purchased pods that are no longer in use, that Framery in turn refurbishes, and leases to new companies – a strategy that promotes circularity and has shown positive effect on customer retention.
The company's ability to effectively use innovation and sustainability as a core driver in business is appreciated by customers and makes them well prepared for meeting evolving customer expectations, as well as environmental regulations.
Framery benefits society and the environment: by producing the pods locally in Tampere, Finland, Framery creates local jobs, supporting the local economy while guaranteeing ethical working conditions. And, as the private spaces provide a stress-free environment, they promote well-being and support neurodiverse individuals during their workday.
Framery has a three-step approach to sustainability. First, pods have a modular design, meaning components can be replaced rather than discarding entire units. Smart pods use 23% less material through design and are 16% less emission-intensive.
Second, they prioritize the use of more recycled materials, as well as the use of mono-materials, making pods 100% recyclable at end-of-life. A recently announced collaboration with steel manufacturer SSAB will allow Framery to use fossil-free steel in their products starting in 2026 – a crucial step towards reaching the target to reduce product CO2 emissions by 50% by 2028.
Third, their products are built to last decades, with durable materials that extend product lifespan up to 50 years. Framery Subscribed promotes circularity by refurbishing and reusing the product instead of producing a new product.
By addressing the need to decarbonize the office and offering a more sustainable solution, Framery has created products that do more than reduce noise and boost productivity. Their commitment to product innovation, circularity, and collaborative approach sets a new standard for the modern workplace while positively impacting society and the environment.
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Framery is a Finnish company that designs and manufactures soundproof phone booths and flexible meeting rooms for open-plan offices. Their mission is to enhance workplace productivity by creating quiet spaces that help employees focus, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. With innovations rooted in sustainability, Framery leads the way in developing efficient and adaptable solutions for modern office environments.