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  • Comment: Most of the sources are from their own website. Azarctic (talk) 16:02, 3 September 2024 (UTC)

Global Furniture Group

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The Global Furniture Group (Global) is a private company that manufactures and distributes furniture, including seating, desking, tables, filing, storage, workstations and systems for the workplace, education, healthcare and government markets. Their worldwide headquarters and main manufacturing base are situated in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

History

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“It all started with a chair the average person could afford.” – Saul Feldberg, Founder, Global Group of Companies[1]

Global Furniture Group opened its doors in March of 1966. Founded by Saul Feldberg with the vision of manufacturing well-made office furniture at affordable prices, Global began in 3,500 square feet of rented space. The flagship product was the Executive Series – a high-back executive chair in fabric and vinyl.[1]

By 1969, Global had built their own manufacturing plant, a 35,000-square-foot facility in Toronto, Canada. This would be the start of a commitment to vertical integration – making product in facilities the company owns.[1]

In 1971, Global expanded into the U.S. market with the formation of Global Industries, USA. Based in New Jersey, operations included sales, marketing and warehousing for distribution.[1]

In 1974, Global Desk Concepts was launched to expand the product line beyond seating.[1] Later, Descor Industries was also formed to manufacture affordable wood-veneer casegoods.

In 1985 Global expanded into the healthcare market with the formation of the GLOBALcare division.Utilizing collaborative and evidence-based product research and evaluation processes, its focus was to create healthcare furniture that met the unique demands of acute, ambulatory and Long-Term Care/Nursing home environments.

In the early 1990’s, Global opened its own government-approved testing laboratory, the only furniture company in Canada to have such a facility.  Certified to ISO 17025 (in 2024), the in-house lab enables products to be tested to ANSI/BIFMA and other industry standards and beyond.[1]

In 1991, Boulevard, Global’s first furniture system, launched. Then in 1993, Global Contract was formed to focus on manufacturing systems and modular desk products. The Evolve Furniture Group followed to provide systems for the US market. File storage cabinets were also added to Global’s product offering in the nineties.[1]

In 2006, Offices To Go (OTG) was established to provide a value-oriented range of seating, desking and tables including ergonomic chairs, task chairs, guest chairs, lounge chairs.[2]

In 2015 Joel Feldberg became Global’s second CEO and President after his father and company founder Saul. Prior to this, Joel held the position of Chief Operation Officer and President since 2006.[3]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic Global was designated a Disaster Purchasing Recovery supplier in the US. This enabled State and Local Governments to use federal funding from the pandemic to purchase products and services included on Global’s GSA contract.[4] During this time, their Canadian manufacturing facilities pivoted operations to produce isolation hospital gowns for healthcare professionals. Gowns were donated to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.[5]

In 2023, Saul Feldberg, founder of the Global Group as well Teknion passed away at the age of 87.[6]

Brands

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Global’s family of brands – Global Industries, Descor, Global Contract and the Evolve Furniture Group – go to market under the single name of Global Furniture Group. Offices To Go, also known as OTG, is maintained as a separate brand.    

Markets Served and Locations

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Global does business across North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania in the verticals of workplace, education, healthcare and government.

In addition to their Worldwide headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and US headquarters in Marlton, New Jersey, US, Global has 30 showrooms across North America. Their furniture is available through a network of over 2000 independent dealerships.

Notable Products

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The Executive series was Global’s first product - a high-back executive chair in fabric and vinyl. In 1966 it retailed for $68, compared to $290 for a similar chair sold by other manufacturers. It would pioneer the budget seating market for North America by creating high-quality furniture solutions made in Canada and that any business could afford.[1]

Recent Awards

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  • Interior Design HiP 2024 Honoree Award: COLLABORATIVE SPACES[7]
  • Nightingale Awards 2023 Gold Award: WILLOW[7]
  • Interior Design Best of Year Honoree 2023: WILLOW[7]
  • Interior Design HiP 2023 Honoree Award: WILLOW[7]
  • Interior Design HiP 2022 Honoree Award: CALIDON[7]

Official Website

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https://www.globalfurnituregroup.com

https://www.officestogo.com

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "40th Anniversary" (PDF). Global Furniture Group. September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  2. ^ "About | Offices to Go". www.officestogo.com. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  3. ^ Group, The Global. "Joel Feldberg named President and CEO of The Global Group". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-03. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "GSA Contract Disaster Recovery Supplier | Global". www.globalfurnituregroup.com. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  5. ^ "Global Donates Medical Gowns to Sunnybrook Hospital | Global". www.globalfurnituregroup.com. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  6. ^ "Saul Feldberg, Founder of Global Furniture Group, Dies at 87". Interior Design. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Awards | Global". www.globalfurnituregroup.com. Retrieved 2024-09-03.