Haworths Sales4B

HOLLAND — The resurgent market in North America and the emerging market in Asia led office furniture maker Haworth to 11.4 percent growth in 2005. The privately held company last week reported global sales of $1.4 billion for the year.

Haworth’s sales growth was on par with the double-digit growth of its larger publicly traded peers, Steelcase and Herman Miller, and in line with industry projections by The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association.

“For Haworth, 2005 represented a year of strong growth,” said Franco Bianchi, president and CEO.

Bianchi said the growth is evidence that the market is embracing the company’s strategy.

“Increasingly, our customers are leveraging Haworth’s extensive global presence, which we continue to expand in geographies like India and Eastern Europe.”

This was a noteworthy year for the company on several fronts. It underwent a number of changes in its executive leadership, including appointing Bianchi in July. Its products and facilities received honors from NeoCon, Good Design, American Physical Therapy Association, the U.S. Green Building Council and a 2005 Interior Design Award, among others.

It also made headlines with significant investments in showrooms and manufacturing facilities in India, as well as at home. The renovation of its corporate headquarters is underway, and a hometown showroom opened in August.

Haworth did not disclose any other financial data.