GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Over the last 15 years, Randy DeBoer has built his Haworth dealership into one of the best in the Holland office furniture-maker's 250 dealer network in North America.
Interphase Interiors has the exclusive contract to sell Haworth products in the company's West Michigan backyard and throughout Northern Michigan.
The Grand Rapids firm is a repeat winner of Haworth's "Best in Class" awards, making it just one of eight dealers across North America to earn the distinction the past four consecutive years.
After 15 years of ownership, DeBoer, 62, is selling the dealership.
"We are really at the point we have an opportunity to expand to a new level," said DeBoer. "I had to step back and look if I was the leader to bring it to the next level."
New owner David Faasse is an office furniture outsider with a track record in manufacturing. What Faasse paid for the dealership was not disclosed in a press release announcing the recent deal.
Faasse brings business leadership experience and capital to grow the business, said DeBoer, who will remain with Interphase in an advisory capacity for at least a year with Faasse taking the role of president.
"Randy has done an incredible job building Interphase into one of the best Haworth dealerships in the country," Faasse said. "I'm really looking forward to working with him and the talented team at Interphase to push the company to the next level as we continue to elevate the Haworth and Interphase brands in the marketplace."
Faasse, 61, was owner and CEO of Best Metal Products Co. for nearly 20 years before selling the Grand Rapids manufacturer in 2006. He began working for the family-owned company that makes hydraulic cylinders for vehicles in 1973, and acquired full ownership in 1990. He sold it in 2006.
The sale of Interphase Interior comes as mergers are shrinking the number of dealerships across the industry.
"Local ownership is important because there are dealers consolidations going on in the industry," said Faasse. "I think it is important that Interphase remains locally-owned."
DeBoer sees opportunity for Faasse to expand Interphase's geographical reach.
"You have to find the opportunity but it certainly is not out of the question," he said.
It makes sense for the industry to have fewer dealers so manufacturers can provide better support and avoid playing favorites in regions where territories overlap, said Rob Kirkbride who covers the industry for the trade publication, Monday Morning Quarterback.
"They can put all their fire power behind the one deal," Kirkbride said.
There have been consolidations dealerships aligned with Haworth's competitors in Boston, Michigan and Chicago in recent years.
• In April, two Herman Miller dealerships consolidated under one new firm MarxModa, LLC, reported Crain's Detroit Business.
• At the end of 2014, a pair of Steelcase dealerships in Chicago merged to form Forward Space, according to the ISI Insider.
• In 2012, three New England office-furnishings suppliers combined into a single distributor of Steelcase office products called Red Thread, serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, reported HartfordBusiness.com.
Faasse, a Grand Rapids area native and Park Township resident, says Interphase is the first business that really excited him out of the 15 companies he considered buying in recent years.
"It was a chance to come into the business," said Frasse. "There is so much pent-up demand for collaborative workspace and the kind of design that makes the workplace fun to come into."
He credits DeBoer for setting the "bar high" with his 25-person staff. The firm provides sales and support to customers by helping architects, designers and facility managers in the complex process of selecting, specifying, planning and purchasing furniture and workspace interiors.
The Cascade resident acquired the now 34-year-old dealership in 2000. Previously, he was with Icon Office Solution for 23 years -- the last 10 years as district president.
Maintaining local ownership of the business was an important consideration in DeBoer's search for the next leader for Interphase. DeBoer said he was looking for a successor who was passionate about the industry and share his core values.
"It's an exciting time for the industry overall, and I believe Interphase has enormous growth potential," said DeBoer. "David is a proven, hands-on, West Michigan business leader with deep roots in the community and a depth of capabilities that make him the perfect choice to lead Interphase."
Interphase will continue to operate out of its Grand Rapids office and warehouse at 3036 Eastern SE, and Traverse City office at 2588 N. Garfield Rd.
Last month, the firm opened Studio Blue, a new downtown Grand Rapids design showroom, meeting and workspace in Blue35, a Rockford Construction and Haworth joint venture at 35 Oakes St. SW.
Blue35 is the entryway to eight floors of Haworth product for showroom purposes, plus member access to meeting rooms, Bluescape technology and shared collaborative workspaces.
"Randy and the Interphase team have been strong advocates for the Haworth brand in the markets they serve for more than 30 years," said Todd James, Haworth's global vice president of sales. "We are excited about David's proven leadership skills and his ideas for the future of the company."
Shandra Martinez covers business for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her or follow her on Twitter @shandramartinez.