Global sales for the office furniture company reached $1.38 billion, an increase of 15% over 2010 with sales growing at a rate higher than the industry in all sectors.
During 2011, Haworth invested in additional avenues of growth with the acquisition of Legacy Furniture Group in the healthcare market, expansion of retail partnerships such as Crate and Barrel and launch of Haworth Collection — which includes a distribution agreement for the North America contract office market with Poltrona Frau Group (watch Editor at Large video.)
“Our integrated workspace design and global perspective continues to resonate with customers around the world," said Franco Bianchi, Haworth President & CEO. "Our second year of industry leading growth is a testament to the impact of our value proposition to customers and their businesses. Despite our accomplishments, we know that 2012 will hold new challenges driven by global uncertainty, government spending cuts and fluctuating commodity prices. Thanks to the hard work of our dealers and more than 6,000 members around the world, I know we will continue to succeed in this dynamic environment.”
Haworth continues to see market expansion based on its Organic Workspace strategy – a powerful tool that helps customers understand a path toward investing in interiors that can positively affect their company’s business performance. As part of that strategy, the company launched Integrated Palette and Reside, Beside and Belong. Together, these product platforms won Gold Best of NeoCon in the Furniture Systems category and the Files and Storage category, as well as a Silver Best of NeoCon in the Furniture: Benching category.
In Asia-Pacific and emerging markets, Haworth is opening showrooms in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. In India, the company is adding workstations to manufacturing capabilities for the first time. In Europe, Haworth’s new products — such as T_up, Tibas, LTB, MeetYou and Very Task — have significant presence in the market and strong export sales growth. A new Paris showroom debuted in April and the company redesigned showrooms in Zurich and Bad Münder.
