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When office furniture giant Haworth decided in 1981 to create an exclusive distribution network of dealers, Grand Rapids-based Interphase Office Interiors was poised to be among the first. Situated right in the backyard of the manufacturer, was the location to be a blessing or a curse? The question was up for debate at the time, but a quarter century later, it is clear that Haworth made an excellent choice.

Interphase remains the original, exclusive representative for Haworth products in west and northern Michigan, led by CEO Randy DeBoer, who purchased Interphase in 2000. At the time of the purchase, the proposition seemed straightforward: grow a proven sales and service organization in the heartland of office furniture. Then came 9/11 and the subsequent economic downturn.

In the ensuing years, DeBoer leaned heavily on his company’s strengths: a superb track record of customer service, a background in office solutions and environments, and his own Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation, which gave Interphase a head start in the burgeoning ‘green building’ movement.

Today, Interphase is on the front lines of a rapidly changing office furniture landscape. Gone are the days of large private offices, and one-size-fits-all workstations. Manufacturers and dealers alike are scrambling to catch-up to a changing workplace, one that is driven by technology, the need for efficiency and flexibility, plus environmental sustainability. Fueled by a resurgence in downtown redevelopment and explosive growth in healthcare, the industry in west Michigan is coming back.

This time, the growth is more diverse. Instead of simply selling desks and chairs, Interphase has worked with Haworth and other manufacturers to focus on the whole -- a client’s entire workspace, ranging from more efficient office layout, walls that can be moved or changed as roles change, and more. Today, Interphase is focused on delivering solutions that positively impact people, profits and the planet or the ‘triple bottom line’.

For instance, when one corporation was seeking a single provider that could deliver quality products at competitive rates and help them earn LEED certification. Interphase stepped in with moveable walls, recycled furniture fabrics, and even planned to incorporate lots of natural light to improve energy efficiency and employee morale.

Now the dealer is once again innovating in partnership with Haworth. Haworth’s new Zody chair is already being hailed as the next “it” item, as it boasts hip design cues, a very reasonable price tag, and is more than 98 percent recyclable.

Says Interphase’s DeBoer, “The company has seen some truly remarkable changes in 25 years. We’ve been blessed in so many ways and have reason to be very thankful.”

Further information can be found at www.interphaseinc.com or by calling (616) 245-0800.

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