Exhibit 99.1

       Steelcase Inc. to Further Consolidate its North America Operations


    GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2005--Steelcase
Inc. (NYSE:SCS) today announced plans to continue consolidation of its
North America operations as it moves to a more efficient industrial
system. The company expects to close several manufacturing facilities
in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area over the next two years. Production
will shift primarily to other Steelcase manufacturing facilities,
including other locations in the Grand Rapids area. The company
anticipates a net reduction of approximately 100 salaried and 500
hourly positions and approximately 2.6 million square feet of
manufacturing space in North America related to these actions.
    The company expects to incur net pre-tax restructuring charges
totaling $25 to $30 million from these actions over the next two
years, with a cash cost of $20 to $25 million. Net restructuring
charges include net costs of employee terminations, asset impairments
and production move costs. In addition, the company expects to incur
an estimated $4 to $7 million of pre-tax disruption costs related to
the project. These actions are designed to reduce overhead related to
excess capacity and to improve production efficiency. When this plan
is fully implemented, annual pre-tax savings are expected to be in the
range of $35 to $45 million.
    The combination of these actions and other projects, including
implementation of lean manufacturing and reduction of product
complexity, are essential in helping the company achieve its
previously communicated 35 percent long-term gross margin target.
    As these actions are implemented over the next two years, the
company will explore options to sell or redevelop land and buildings
that will no longer be needed in the business. The net book value of
this real estate is approximately $30 to $35 million. Although it is
too early to provide a meaningful estimate of market value, the
company believes it is likely the net proceeds from such a sale would
be at or above book value, and therefore the charges listed above do
not include an impairment charge for the real estate.
    "We've emerged from difficult economic times a stronger company,
determined to continually improve every aspect of our business," said
James P. Hackett, president and CEO. "These changes reflect our
ongoing commitment to build a new and more flexible industrial system
that will ensure our competitiveness. We continue to execute our
strategy of implementing lean manufacturing, reducing complexity and
developing a world-class global supply chain."

    Fiscal 2005 results

    The company will announce its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2005
results on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 before the market opens. In that
announcement, Steelcase will also provide an outlook for the first
quarter of fiscal year 2006 including an estimate of first quarter
restructuring charges related to these projects and other projects.
The company's earnings call can be heard on a live webcast on March
30, 2005 beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET. Links to the webcast and
financial presentation slides are available at www.steelcase.com.

    Forward-looking statements

    From time to time, in written reports and oral statements, the
company discusses its expectations regarding future events. Statements
and financial discussion and analysis contained in this release that
are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These
statements discuss expectations as to future plans, events, results of
operations or financial condition, or state other information relating
to the company, based on current beliefs of management as well as
assumptions made by, and information currently available to,
Steelcase. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by
words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect,"
"forecast," "intend," "may," "possible," "potential," "predict,"
"project," or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Although
Steelcase believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable,
they are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future
conditions, any or all of which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate.
Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to vary. Important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements include, without limitation: changes in domestic or
international laws, rules and regulations, including the impact of
changed environmental laws, rules or regulations; major disruptions at
our key facilities or in the supply of any key raw materials,
components or finished goods; changes in customer demand and order
pattern; changes in relationships with customers, suppliers, employees
and dealers, the company's ability to successfully reduce its costs,
including actions such as workforce reduction, facility
rationalization, disposition of excess assets (including real estate)
at more than book value and/or related impairments, production
consolidation, reduction of business complexity, culling products and
global supply chain management; migration to a less vertically
integrated manufacturing model; implement lean manufacturing
principles; initiate and manage alliances; and other risks detailed in
the company's Form 10-K for the year ended February 27, 2004 and other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The factors
identified above are believed to be important factors (but not
necessarily all of the important factors) that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in any
forward-looking statement. Unpredictable or unknown factors could also
have material adverse effects on the company. All forward-looking
statements included in this report are expressly qualified in their
entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Steelcase undertakes
no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

    About Steelcase Inc.

    Steelcase Inc. helps individuals and organizations around the
world to work more effectively by providing knowledge, products and
services that enable customers and their consultants to create work
environments that integrate architecture, furniture and technology.
Founded in 1912 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the
company has led the global office furniture industry in sales every
year since 1974. Its product portfolio includes furniture systems,
technology products, seating, lighting, storage, interior
architectural products and related products and services. Fiscal 2004
revenue was approximately $2.3 billion. Steelcase and its subsidiaries
have dealers in more than 900 locations, manufacturing facilities in
over 35 locations and approximately 14,000 employees around the world.
The company's Class A Common Stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol
SCS.

    CONTACT: Steelcase Inc.
             Raj Mehan, 616-698-4734 (Investors)
             Lisa Kerr, 616-698-4487 (Media)