HOLLAND, MI – Contract furniture giant Haworth Inc. announced its 2010 global sales reached $1.21 billion, an increase of 9 percent. The company says the growth was boosted by strong results in North America, with sales growing at more than twice the rate of the industry, as well as Asia and emerging markets. Northern Europe also experienced solid growth, though at a lesser rate.

Haworth’s continued investment in new products contributed to the launch of several new product platforms in 2010, including the Very Task Chair, introduced at NeoCon, and Orgatec. Haworth received NeoCon Gold in Seating: Conference and NeoCon Silver in Seating: Ergonomic Desk/Task for the Very Task chair.

Haworth reported it also improved the company's operational efficiencies by consolidating its movable wall and wood casegood manufacturing into existing West Michigan facilities.

Haworth continued to make significant advances in its sustainability initiatives as well. Its global headquarters and the San Francisco and New York City showrooms achieved LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2010. The headquarters also earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR. With the addition of these certifications, Haworth has 11 LEED Gold spaces globally, including showrooms in Zurich, Switzerland, Shanghai, China, and Pune, India. Also during 2010, Haworth certified over 50 products with level — the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Assn. Product Sustainability Standard. According to the company, with this multi-attribute certification that reviews both environmental and social impacts, customers can make informed choices about commercial furniture and modular interiors. The certification also identifies that a product has been vetted by an independent certifier.

Posted by  Karen Koenig