Our History

Innovation and flexibility have been Haworth cornerstones since the company was founded in 1948. These principles remain our driving force today, as chairman Dick Haworth and president and CEO Franco Bianchi lead a worldwide effort to create great, adaptable workspaces.

Originally named "Modern Products", the company was founded by G.W. Haworth, who was driven by two dreams: to start his own business and to put his five children through college. Today, those dreams have led to Haworth becoming a global leader in workspace solutions, with quality products and customer-focused members propelling our growth.

In the late 1980s, Haworth went global, expanding in North America, Europe, and Asia, and continuing to achieve more industry firsts. Haworth also earned awards for sustainability, leadership, community service, and member job satisfaction. In 1987 Haworth opened its first European subsidiary in London, UK, which now serves as the European Headquarters. Today the family-owned private Haworth, Inc. operates in more than 120 countries and employs 7,600+ members.

This expansion into Europe lead Haworth to acquire and incorporate many companies with even longer and more varied histories. While Haworth may have been founded in 1948, our history and experience now reaches back as far as the 19th century.

Portugal

CORTAL SELDEX was already a market leader in Portugal, and had received many awards. Their coverage of Portugal was impressive, with dealers in Lisbon, Queluz, Port, Águeda, Coimbra, Leiria, Setúbal and Algarve. They had also already moved into an international market, with exports to the US, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East.

Castelli started in 1877 as a craft workshop and has become known for its capacity to grow and anticipate market trends, thanks to the precious contribution of prestigious designers such as Emilio Ambasz, Claudio Bellini, Rodolfo Bonetto, Nilo Gioacchini, Giancarlo Piretti, Charles Pollock, F.A. Porsche and Richard Sapper.

Created in 1910, Ordo was a storage unit manufacturer well-known for its inventive interpretation of ergonomic concepts and its innovative use of materials. Over the years, the company has also forged an excellent reputation for its classic designs that continued to call on the use of fine craftsmanship. Ordo was based in Montaigu, near Nantes.

Michel Schulmann founded Mobilier International in 1955. A large number of European designers have created timeless and innovative products for the company, which is renowned for the originality of its designs, its superb wood finishes and its leather sofas. Its office products  included Décade, Concord, Helios and Gamma; modular office systems: Cosmos, Office System; reception furniture: Apia, Delta; and its sofas: Studio, Master, Huit.

In 1987, Haworth Spain was founded under the name 'Iberian Seldex'. They were renamed to Haworth Spain in 1994.

Kemen was founded in 1962 as a manufacturer of car parts. They soon moved into the furniture market,and enjoyed steady progress in the creation of furniture systems following the ergonomic principle of the "hombre como medida" of our products. (Made to measure for all mankind).

Elan Florian Weber AG was founded in 1890 by Adolf Weber, who learned carpentry at night school. The family business was passed down through several generations. In the beginning, they individually produced skilfully decorated, carved furniture. They grew with time, turning their focus to mass produced office furniture during the 20th Century and establishing a sales platform in Budapest in the late 90s.

Dyes

Company Dyes & Co. was founded in 1901 selling desks and case goods. In 1976 they introduced a moveable desk top - setting them apart from their competitors.

Comforto

Founded as H.W. Schmidt GmbH in 1863, as a producer of steel parts and kitchen pots. By the mid 20th century they had moved to producing the seats at the base of hair drying machines - and in 1967 they moved into office chairs. The brand "comforto" was introduced in 1971.

Three other German companies, each with over 50 years of tradition - art.collection, Röder and Nestler- joined the group. Germany is one of the largest markets for Haworth in Europe.

Today Haworth Europe markets its products under four product brands: castelli, dyes, comforto and art.collection.

Our own subsidiaries are present in eleven European countries with manufacturers in six. In East Europe, Scandinavia and North Africa we serve our customers through our authorised Haworth Dealers.