BOS & Haworth 75th Anniversary
Get A Glimpse Of Haworth’s Rich History
Cheers to 75: BOS Is Celebrating both ours and Haworth’s 75th Anniversary This Year
Hear from our CEO and President on their favorite memories of Haworth throughout the years.
Did You Know?
From 1940s-1948, industrial arts teacher G.W. Haworth outgrew his home workshop, where he produced wooden toys, and begins construction on the first manufacturing plant in Holland, Michigan.
Using a $10,000 loan from his parents’ life savings, G.W. founds Modern Products. With this, the company’s first wooden products included tie racks and shoe displays.
1950’s: History Is Made
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.
1960‘s – 1990’s: Haworth’s Legacy Is Established
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.
During the 70’s, 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.
In the 80’s, 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.
Looking at the 90’s, 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.
2000’s – 2010’s: Entering A New Millenium
The new millenium is here, and Haworth’s new global headquarters opens in Holland, Michigan. One Haworth Center is a LEEDNC 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.
Entering the new decade, 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
2020’s: Haworth Is Established As The Top Office Furniture Manufacturer
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.
Hear Directly From Haworth’s Leadership
Matthew Haworth
Dick Haworth
Franco Bianchi
Experience The Inspiration
theMART River Park
theMART River Park is a plaza along the Chicago River featuring JANUS et Cie outdoor furniture. Gather to connect with colleagues and friends, or just take some time by yourself to pause and enjoy the view.
MART Lobby
See what was showcased in the lobby of this years Neocon. Discover high impression spaces that welcome people in the workplace.
Haworth Showroom
Collaborate with us in our showroom to learn how the workplace is evolving to accommodate hybrid work. Experience spaces that provide for both collaboration and focus work for teams. See and try out or new products – in person.
