Furniture industry leaders launch office interiors venture

Real Estate Weekly, March 31, 2004

Mark Benhar and Bob Maurer, two of the top names in New York contract furniture industry, announced the formation of Benhar Office Interiors, a new contract specialty firm that puts the principals' 40 years of experience directly to work for select design projects.

Mark Benhar and Bob Maurer are recognized leaders in the competitive world of contract furniture. Working as a team for more than eight years, this duo closed $13 million in annual sales for the last several years before forming Benhar Office Interiors.

Even more impressive than their sales, is the reputation they built among clients, architects, project managers and commercial real estate brokers for hands-on, quality service and the on-time delivery and installation of office furniture and systems.

"We had a ball, working hard together, developing strong relationships and earning the trust of the finest real estate, interior design and project management professionals across the country," says company principal Mark Benhar. "The opportunity to start a new company, one founded on our distinct and totally personal commitment to hands-on management and able to focus on carefully selected projects, is a dream we had to fulfill. That is the impetus for Benhar Office Interiors."

The first highlight of the "dream" situation is the establishment of Benhar Office Interior's merchandising agreement with Herman Miller and other top manufacturers, including Geiger, Bernhardt, Vitra and Global.

"A successful contract furniture dealer needs to carry the finest lines and a wide selection of products--which we do," says Bob Maurer.

"Even more, the dealers themselves need to be extraordinarily reliable, knowledgeable and trustworthy, not only for the client's benefit, but for those associates who put their own necks on the line to bring you to the table. Benhar Office Interiors has that ground covered as well."

The contract furniture market in the New York metropolitan area is a $750 million annual industry. After several "off" years due to national recession, Benhar and Maurer are confident the economy is showing strong signs of recovery, and that the time is right to launch their new firm.

The principals of Benhar Office Interiors said their dedication to concentrating on a limited number of projects each year and taking a proactive approach to closing jobs on time, on budget and with excellent results will make them unique.

"Working closely on each and every project, our customers will have the benefit of our personal knowledge, resources and capabilities, giving them a more unique experience," said Mr. Maurer.

"We have established key strategic alliances with a number of collateral product and service providers that enable us to create turnkey projects on a tight schedule."

Benhar Office Interiors will target small to mid-size businesses that are on an extended growth curve, and larger companies that will benefit from working with a relationship-oriented dealer, according to Mr. Benhar, who added that his partnership with Bob Maurer offers the perfect combination of skills sets.

"Bob's background is more heavily on the finance and operational side. He is known for getting the job done, on time and on budget," says Mr. Benhar, who specializes in sales and marketing. "Together, we have the perfect combination of skills to meet our clients' needs." As for their choice of affiliation with the Herman Miller line, the partners said that New York's "leading edge" corporations, designers and architects look to make a statement with their projects, while also attending to the realties of New York's fast-paced workplace.

"We wanted to align ourselves with a manufacturer that had the extensive breadth of line and product solutions that Herman Miller and its strategic partners offer, while keeping in mind that creating a workable office environment is strictly a human endeavor," said Benhar.

"People drive our business, and we believe our clients develop a comfort zone working directly with us that they won't find with other major dealers."

Benhar Office Interiors is a "contract specialty" firm, whose unique market position is to manage a limited number of projects each year so the principals may be a valuable, personal resource to all their clients.

Their goal is to build an organization in the New York metropolitan area whose principals are closer to the process while always keeping the needs of the client clearly in focus.

Principals Mark Benhar and Bob Maurer uphold a high standard of excellence in their performance and the representation of quality products, and continue building long-term customer relationships.