Henricksen Acquires COFCO, a Full-Scale Furniture Solutions Provider

With combined expertise, values, and contract rosters, Henricksen’s standing as a comprehensive industry leader is cemented and is poised to provide the best client experience in the nation

Itasca, IL — March 28, 2022 — Henricksen, a full-service contract furniture dealership specializing in office, healthcare, education, government, senior living, and hospitality spaces, announces it has acquired COFCO’s expertise and legacy of excellence. With 75 years of experience providing contract furniture, refurbishing, and logistics expertise to prestigious clients in numerous industries throughout the mid-Atlantic and northeastern regions, COFCO joins the Henricksen community with aligned business values. Together, the companies solidify their commitment to building and maintaining long-lasting relationships with clients and manufacturers while investing in new technologies and capabilities, providing the best service experience in the country. As of April 1, 2022, COFCO will officially change its name to COFCO, A Henricksen Company.

COFCO—which was founded in Philadelphia and recently expanded to Washington, D.C.—has a long and storied history of providing customers with exceptional service and outcomes, especially in the corporate, public sector, and healthcare spaces. Among the high-profile projects it has completed, COFCO recently completed outfitting the entirety of The Pavilion, a new 1.5-million-square-foot, 17-story facility at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, the second-largest hospital in the country. COFCO’s nimble and multidisciplinary staff combined with Henricksen’s prowess will allow the resulting team to provide additional resources and expertise for clients as they continue to navigate the challenges presented by the pandemic and the changing nature of workplaces. Joan Waters, who joined COFCO almost 35 years ago, will remain at the company as General Manager.

“I’m so proud that COFCO is joining forces with Henricksen, a company that echoes our long-standing commitment to pursuing creative solutions; forming trusting relationships with customers and project stakeholders; and providing seamless, value-driven service for clients,” said Joan Waters, COFCO, A Henricksen Company General Manager. “While COFCO has independently thrived, partnering with Henricksen will set a new standard for furniture dealers, which is especially important at a time when the pandemic has transformed multiple facets of the industry.”

Earlier this year, Henricksen acquired Tennessee-based furniture dealer Synergy Business Environments (now Synergy, A Henricksen Company). By combining the three companies, Henricksen has assembled an unparalleled team of industry experts with a broad scope of capabilities, all while making no compromises for quality. With Henricksen’s expanded east coast footprint in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, and existing locations in Tennessee and the Midwest, the company’s presence and scale is unsurpassed. By having more feet on the ground in these locations, Henricksen will provide these clients and influencers with the same level of talent, resources, and commitment that the company has cultivated in the Midwest. The combined company is poised to deliver the best furniture dealership experience in the country.

“As the industry adapts to the unprecedented challenges over the past few years, melding our expertise with COFCO and Synergy will raise the bar for providing long-term and meaningful relationships for clients and influencers,” said Russell Frees, president and CEO of Henricksen. “By joining forces, our partners will immediately benefit from the combined company’s 160-year experience, particularly through our increased presence around the nation.” Frees continued: “I’m proud Henricksen is uniting with Synergy and COFCO not only because of their stellar capabilities but also because of their dedication to employees. We know our people are the key to our success, and I look forward to cultivating our culture and collective strength as we strive to be the best partner in the industry.”

“There’s no doubt that this partnership represents a huge win for stakeholders across the board,” said HNI Corporation Chairman, President, and CEO Jeffrey Lorenger. “At a time when customers are facing some uncertainty based on the pandemic, Henricksen’s expanded team will be able to provide clarity given the first-rate talent they have amassed.”

Henricksen is proud to welcome the COFCO team. The company is committed to managing a seamless transition for employees, clients, and manufacturing partners.