Tualatin, OR (September 2006) — Hartmann & Forbes, the Oregon-based maker of ultra high-end window coverings, has been named one of America's 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies. The prestigious Inc. 500 list ranked privately held companies according to year-over-year sales growth from 2002 to 2005.
Hartmann & Forbes' growth rate of 337.4% over the past three years placed them at #437 on the list. This represents purely organic growth, not growth through acquisition.
And that's not the only thing organic about Hartmann & Forbes rapid rise. Founder and CEO Michael Jones points to the company's natural products and manufacturing processes as key factors in their success. Inc. Magazine's coverage included "What's Cool" about the company as its recycling program to compost used natural shades — a first in the window coverings industry.
Founded in 1998, Hartmann & Forbes specializes in fine, handwoven window coverings in more than 200 natural weaves. The company is dedicated to preserving ancient handcrafting traditions through modern and innovative designs. Unlike many in the industry, Hartmann & Forbes handcrafts its ultra high-end products and inspects all work before shipment from its Oregon facility to ensure the highest quality and impeccable attention to detail. Jones is equally committed to using sustainable, organic materials grown and harvested from well-managed eco-systems.
Their rapidly expanding product line includes organic sea grasses, natural papers, bamboo, jutes, split river reeds and other sustainable materials - all cultivated in a way that preserves the environment. The materials are woven at the source overseas and then handcrafted into window coverings at the firm's Tualatin finishing plant to quick delivery times and product customization.
Already an industry leader in environmental sustainability, Hartmann & Forbes launched Project-Green™ in 2005 with the University of Oregon. The effort broadly expanded the company's environmental policies and procedures and helped the firm implement closed-loop manufacturing. Called the Take-Back program, it is the first in the industry and allows their responsibly harvested organic products to end their life cycle as natural compost. Through the program, Hartmann & Forbes will even recycle their competitors' natural shades.
Jones says what differentiates Hartmann & Forbes in the industry is its broad range of products. "Our tremendous growth is directly linked to product development strategies," said Jones. "We're not only staying ahead of trends, we're setting them." For a company that sells its products exclusively through the fashion-conscious interior design trade, that's important. So is innovation, and their list of "industry firsts" includes Hartmann & Forbes' line of handwoven draperies, a line of hand-painted and hand-stained bamboo shades called ColorWeave™ and new metal roller shade clutches.
Because of their rapid product development and extensive customization, Hartmann & Forbes is becoming an important source for designer. Jones says the Inc 500 ranking is affirmation that their dedication to excellent products, great customer service and a dedication to the environment is paying off.
"When you look at the amazing job growth among Inc. 500 companies and contrast it with the stagnation in the Fortune 500, it underscores the changing nature of our economy," said Jim Melloan, project manager for the Inc. 500. Approximately 75% of all new job creation in the U.S. comes from entrepreneurial businesses, according to the magazine. "With unprecedented global competition, companies have to be able to turn on a dime and discover innovative new ways of doing business. Increasingly, it's the smaller, agile companies that are best equipped to meet these challenges."
"This is an exciting place and time in our company's history," said Jones. Hartmann & Forbes window coverings are available through a network of high-end showrooms throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company's website can be found at www.hfshades.com.
