Haworth celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023.
A Multi-Generational Family Business
We are a family-owned company. Over three generations, we have been focused on the long-term horizon. Our entrepreneurial spirit, passion for innovation, and accountability drive us to make investments for the future to benefit our clients, members, and communities.
Looking to the Future
Haworth’s design point of view is founded on being open and informed—embracing the strength that comes from diversity of thought. Our company values have guided us for 75 years and are reflected in our design partnerships that cultivate inspiration and hope for the future.
Global Design Collaboration
Haworth balances performance and desire in everything we do. Our global design approach is formed from a rich tapestry of ideas. Partnering closely with some of today’s leading international architects and designers helps us continuously deliver the best in inspiring office design thinking, products, and solutions.
Leading Us Forward
We’ve had an incredible 75 years, and we’ve only just begun. Watch as our leaders share their thoughts on Haworth’s success and how we will continue to set the bar for design and innovation for years to come.
Dick Haworth
Chairman Emeritus
Matthew Haworth
Chairman
Franco Bianchi
President & CEO
How Did We Get Here?
At Haworth, we’re always looking to the future, while remembering where we came from. See our heritage of design and innovation take shape through each milestone decade.
1940s: Industrial arts teacher G.W. Haworth launches Modern Products, manufacturing and selling a variety of wood items. One of the fledgling company’s first products, this shoe rack was part of a series of retail display units.
1950s: G.W. builds an innovative office partition system for the United Auto Workers headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. The success catapults his company forward in creating moveable wall products and leads to a new name, Modern Partitions, Inc.
1960s: G.W.’s son, Dick Haworth begins working for his father, rising to a position as Executive Vice President in 1969. The company continues to grow, bringing its expertise in wood to the education market with study carrels and dorm furniture, while also exploring new materials and manufacturing processes.
1970s: Modern Partitions transitions to Haworth, Inc. Dick Haworth takes the helm, leading the company to increase in size by 400% over the next 20 years. Haworth introduces ERA-1, a revolutionary, pre-wired panel design, which evolves into the UniGroup line, and the company begins to focus exclusively on office furniture.
1980s: Haworth branches out, offering seating and storage products to bring customers complete office solutions. The company also begins acquiring other businesses and expands internationally, establishing its European headquarters and an initial presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The number of employees rises to 1,951 and sales exceed $2 million.
1990s: Haworth starts acquiring companies outside the US and brings Franco Bianchi, who would become CEO in 2005, on board. A specialized team of workplace scientists, designers, and analysts forms Haworth’s Ideation Group to understand workplace issues and create informed, research-based solutions for customers.
2000s: Haworth’s new global headquarters opens in Holland, Michigan. One Haworth Center is a LEED-NC Gold certified facility that serves as a living lab to share workplace lessons learned from around the world. It showcases Haworth’s Organic Workspace strategy, which combines knowledge and research with design to address customer needs now and for the future.
2010s: With a concentrated effort on ancillary furniture, Haworth acquires several international furniture companies to provide customers with a portfolio of the finest brands available from a single source. Each renowned for their creativity, expertise, and artisanship, these brands represent more than 100 years of innovation and design heritage.
2020s: After closing 2022 with global sales of over $2.5 billion, Haworth celebrates its 75th year of design and innovation in 2023. The company remains family owned, with Matthew Haworth as Chairman and his father, Dick, as Chairman Emeritus. Haworth serves markets in more than 150 countries through a global network of 400 dealers and 8,000+ employees.
