Overview
Howgroup is a commercial furniture manufacturer and industrial design company. We work collaboratively with architects and interior designers, to help create inspiring project spaces with beautiful and functional furniture, made to stand the test of time.
The story of Howgroup first began with Ian Howard, who in 1946 formed Aristoc Industries and later, Featherston Interiors, which became CoDesign. Howgroup was since established by Paul Howard (Director) and Faith Sun (General Manager), who have over 50 years’ industry experience between them.
By combining a genuine passion for industrial design and a wealth of knowledge in furniture manufacturing and project management, our approach is based on long-established principles while continually adapting to the challenges of the world today.
Manufacturing
Howgroup supports local Victorian and national manufacturing hubs. All joinery is Australian designed and made, delivered to site and installed by our factory technicians. In manufacture and product delivery, local community and indigenous labour are engaged. All relevant certification is current including the ethical sourcing of solid wood and steel fabrications set by the FSC regulations. In this way we ensure we only use certified factories which are ISO compliant and do not employ slave labour or utilise banned chemicals in production. We comply with the AFA, AFRADI & Australian commercial furniture standards.
Delivery
Howgroup has its own in-house logistics and installation teams. Howgroup delivers both large multi floor projects as well as bespoke joinery and custom furniture. With a global supply train from our international brands integrated with our local manufacturing capability, we are expert in providing a smooth delivery experience, in full, on time! National warehousing and the logistics of shipping makes it all possible.
Environment
Howgroup belongs to ecological global and local groups, eg South Pole, to help reinforce international and ethical standards. Everything possible is recycled and certificates gained, with proceeds sent to local charities – Red Cross, Movember and others. We care.
Culture
The culture @howgroup, is to focus on producing and delivering our client’s vision to become reality. Our highly trained specialist furniture team, with vast experience, is able to meet our clients’ expectations and program whatever the time zone or location throughout the Asia Pacific region. Our experienced national logistics and delivery teams are able to ensure a smooth passage to the site, in full on time.
Howgroup is a Quality Assured aligned company and has reporting and quality procedures that result in minimal product defects and manufacturing errors. With quality assurance personnel and procedures in all our factories, they ensure that all products are tested to the highest possible standards before leaving the factory. In this way, we are able to manage the quality and produce lifespan and endurance with maximin warranty periods.
People
The Howgroup team is a diverse community of nationalities, including the inclusion of indigenous workers in our factories. We engage with workers and workshops in the locality of our projects and so are able to provide employment opportunities for indigenous and disadvantaged labour.
We invest in training and career development to provide the maximum experience possible for every employee. Our team takes great satisfaction working together to make each client’s vision a reality.
Knowledge
Our longstanding relationships with international industry leading brand partners such as Fantoni, Actiu, Sinetica, Kastel, Markant and HumanScale, together with our own local Australian manufacturing production, enable us to support the evolution of industrial design working closely with Australian and international designers.
We come out of a rich history of the world of furniture. We are passionate about our industry – we love furniture!
Our longstanding relationships with international industry leading brand partners such as Fantoni, Actiu, Sinetica, Kastel, Markant and HumanScale, together with our own local Australian manufacturing production, enable us to support the evolution of industrial design working closely with Australian and international designers.
Design
Howgroup’s in house industrial design team interprets and creates products to support the designer’s and client’s vision. With extensive industry partnerships, we have the capacity to provide complete space solutions, from front of house to the back office and collaboration spaces. We provide clear and detailed pricing, and have the resources to assist designers in the presentation of their design brief. Full shop drawings and 3D rendering are available for the designer.