Haworth. Herman Miller. Steelcase.

The three West Michigan-based competitors say they control 40 to 50 percent of the U.S. office furniture market — 15 to 20 percent of the world market.

They shared the stage at the West Michigan Regional Policy Conference to talk about what needs to change to grow the economy and ultimately keep them in business and employing thousands of West Michigan workers.

We asked what their top priorities were.

Steelcase Chairman and CEO James Hackett says West Michigan needs more connections — both electronic and literal.

“Can we create a transportation model that gets us to other cities very quickly?” Hackett said, referring to airports and airlines. “Can we create rail service?”

Herman Miller President and CEO Brian Walker says it’s taxes. He says the state focused too much on how much money to raise with the new business tax than figuring out the right tax policy.

“I think we need to solve how and then figure out how much,” Walker told 24 Hour News 8.

He says labor issues are a concern too. The same goes for Haworth Chairman Richard Haworth.

“I think it’s tax. I think it’s the labor environment — call it right to work if you want,” Haworth said. And third, “it’s the educational environment we have in this state.”

Haworth was the only one of three to endorse a policy offered earlier in the day by a free-market analyst to eliminate all business taxes in the state.

The current relatively new business tax is so broken businesses will move away, proponents say, and any business taxes are passed on to customers anyway.

It’s just one topic at the two-day conference attracting hundreds. Attendees will ultimately set priorities and hope they can convince leaders in Lansing to buy in.

“Truly we have to follow up and hold people accountable for what’s discussed,” said Mike Lindley, a vice president for Huntington Bank.

Businesses are of course only one group looking to influence Lansing. But organizers hope Lansing will listen because these constituents are the ones providing jobs in the state.

There were breakout sessions Thursday afternoon. I’m hoping to post some notes from those discussinos here soon.

The conference continues Friday — I’ll be there and blogging.

Your thoughts on the issues manufacturers are raising?

Tony