Haworth sales at $1.65 billion in 2008

Haworth, Inc. today announced 2008 global sales were $1.65 billion.  Sales were essentially flat compared to 2007 sales of $1.66 billion.  By continuing to focus on unique, integrated and sustainable knowledge based solutions for commercial interiors, Haworth moved into 2009 well positioned to come out of the economic downturn poised for growth.

"We feel very confident in our strategies and continue to find a high level of interest from clients in our organic workspace solutions.  We will continue to gain market share through innovation and long term investments," said Franco Bianchi, Haworth President and CEO.  "The current global financial crisis is affecting our customers and forcing us to take action to be cost competitive.  Haworth is, and has always been, a sound company with a very strong financial standing.  The hard work that all of our members are doing now will keep us in that position long into the future."

Haworth experienced success in several areas during 2008, including: 

• Celebrating the company's 60th anniversary - commemorating Haworth's growth as a world leader in the design and manufacture of office furniture and organic workspaces.
• The grand opening of One Haworth Center - Haworth's global headquarters in Holland, Michigan. The completed building has won several awards, most notably the Business Week Architectural Record "Good Design is Good Business" Award.
• Numerous awards and product launches at NeoCon with the Very chair, as well as Castelli for Haworth collection's NCB Resonate storage system and Mumbai desks and credenzas. For the third time in five years and using the same architectural platform, Haworth's Chicago showroom was awarded NeoCon's Best Large Showroom by the International Interior Design Association.
• Haworth continued showroom openings with new and renovated spaces in Toronto, Seattle, Dublin, Madrid and Shanghai.

"Haworth's global footprint is the broadest in the industry and best serves our customers all around the world and, in particular, in emerging markets," continued Bianchi.  "Our network of capabilities and dealers continues to provide products that are designed and built nearby with regional design preferences in mind."

Haworth continued its sustainability journey with LEED certifications for the Dallas, Washington DC and Pune (India) showrooms.  The new headquarters and New York showroom were registered for certification.  The company also joined the EPA Smartway Transportation program, achieved MBDC certification for Planes tables, issued the 3^rd annual Haworth sustainability report and received Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification in Italy.

"As economic conditions continue to develop, we continue to adjust our business for the long term future of our company, our shareholders and our members.  2009 will be a very challenging year for our economy on a global scale and Haworth is not immune from its effects," said Bianchi.  "While these are challenging times, there is excitement for possibilities that these challenges represent.  Haworth members and dealers are in the midst of designing the company of tomorrow."