Haworth: A History

From its modest beginnings, Haworth has grown into an innovative business that touches the lives of people around the world with its interiors and technology products. Chairman emeritus Dick Haworth and chairman Matthew Haworth recall some of the milestones in the company’s 70-year history.

1940s

> 1948: Industrial arts teacher G.W. Haworth outgrows his home workshop, where he manufactures wooden toys, and construction begins on the first, 4,480-square-foot plant in Holland, Michigan. The move to the new facility is followed by more orders.

> G.W. founds Modern Products, using a loan of $10,000 from his parents’ life savings. He hopes to earn enough money to put his children through college.

> The company’s first wood products include a tie rack and a shoe display.

“The money that started the business was earned the hard way,” says Dick Haworth. “Grandpa went from farm to farm selling Watkins cosmetics and spices; that’s where the money came from. I’m particularly proud of that. It’s a great foundation for a business.”

1950s

> A freelance salesman pitches G.W. a sketch of some proposed bank-type partitions for the United Auto Workers headquarters in Detroit in 1951. G.W.’s first foray into floor to-ceiling movable walls, the X & L series, is realized.

> G.W. considers uses for the scrap material created by the manufacture of partitions, which leads to the production of planters and room dividers in 1955.

> 1956: 50 employees (or “members”) and $472,000 in sales; the company makes an addition to the plant.

> 1959: Modern Partitions, Inc., is formed.

1960s

> 1961: G.W.’s teenage son Dick Haworth sweeps floors and operates plant machinery.

> 1962: Study carrels are launched as a new product line.

> 1964: First national sales meeting is held in Holland, Michigan, for 55 manufacturers, representatives, and dealers.