Haworth Warranty
When it comes to repair services, we proudly service what we sell. We view a manufacturer’s warranty as their promise—and we are the local representatives of that promise. Should your products have warranty issues, our skilled, certified technicians will promptly inspect and repair your furniture or provide a replacement if necessary.
Contracts
As a "contract furnishings" dealership the main industry focus has historically been on large customers who qualify for contract pricing. Given the change in economic times, with growth in telecommuting activity, our manufactures now offer a discounted contract rate for small to medium size businesses. Such discounts can even apply to the sole proprietor working out of their home.
Within all major business segments (Industry, Healthcare, Government, Non-profit) many organizations belong to a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) which has pre-negotiated acquisition discounts for products from the manufacturers we represent. These contracts are extensive and vary so please ask us which contract(s) may apply to your operations and product needs.
Product Knowledge Base
Finishes & Features
Many desks and surfaces are either manufactured with a wood veneer, thermally fused laminate (TFL), high pressure laminate (HPL) or blend of these. Wood is the most expensive and the most prone to showing signs of wear and tear.
High Pressure Laminate is the most durable and is produced from a number of textile manufacturers such as Formica, Wilsonart, and Pionite. The color and wood grain options are almost endless.
TFL is a melamine saturated paper that is thermally fused directly to the substrate. With the absence of the multiple layers of Kraft paper that is found in HPL, you will lose some of the impact resistance but also you will have a lower cost. Without the cushion of the additional layers of Kraft paper, the TFL is not recommended for countertops but performs excellent in multiple vertical and low impact applications.
Many products use a blend of these various materials. Many times a conference table will use a high pressure laminate top but wood edging to offer the rich look of wood. The table base can be constructed with a matching TFL product to maintain the look but also help with the cost.
For desks there are a number of combine options. All wood veneer, wood veneer chassis and TFL or HPL desktop; TFL for chassis and desktop, or TFL for chassis and HPL desktop. The cost will vary for all combinations. Wood being the highest price, HPL next in line on cost, and TFL the most affordable.
BIFMA & ANSI Standards & Test
ANSI & BIFMA are acronyms for American National Standards Institute and the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association. These are organizations that are about product safety in the workplace so they develop safety parameters and test products to insure compliance. The last thing an employer wants is an injury in the workplace due to faulty product. Please make sure the products you procure have these certifications.
ANSI/BIFMA put in place common standards for desk and table products meant for use in a commercial office environment. Testing facilities that adhere to BIFMA protocols test office furniture durability, structural performance, and safety. The tests include anticipation of product misuse. Testing facilities that adhere to BIFMA protocols put office furniture through the ringer. There are roughly 50 total tests, but the piece of furniture only needs to meet standards in its category.
Some of these tests include:
Stability Under Vertical Load Test
Horizontal Stability Test for Desk/Tables with Casters
Force Stability Test for Tall Desk/Table Products
Concentrated Functional Load Test
Concentrated Proof Load Test
Top Load Ease Cycle Test
Desk/Table Unit Drop Test
Leg Strength Test
Cycle Test for Center/Pencil Drawers
Interlock Strength Test
Force Test for Door Locks
Locking Mechanism Cycle Test
Work Surface Vertical Adjustment Test
Keyboard Support and Input Device Support Adjustment Tests
Durability Test for Desks and Table with Casters
Pull Force Test
To legitimately claim conformance to any ANSI/BIFMA standard, a piece of furniture needs to meet or exceed all applicable tests. BIFMA continually reviews its testing procedures and releases updates promptly. Updated individual tests should prompt manufacturers to re-test their furniture. BIFMA’s Conformance Guide requires manufacturers to use the current or immediately preceding version of a standard.
Identifying the ANSI/BIFMA Rating for a Product:
Passing all the tests in an ANSI/BIFMA standard takes a lot of work. It represents a significant investment for a North American furniture manufacturer. After passing, manufacturers should brag about it and show it off. A company places any ANSI/BIFMA information on their website or promotional materials. While looking over any furniture you’re thinking about buying, look for a statement that it conforms to relevant BIFMA standard. If you’re not entirely sure, ask the available sales representative.