Global Marks 60 Years of Excellence, Innovation, and Commitment to Community

Global Marks 60 Years of Excellence, Innovation, and Commitment to Community

Global is proud to celebrate its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of growth, innovation, and an enduring commitment to people and the community. As the company reflects on its legacy, it also looks ahead to the future—guided by the same values on which it was founded.

From its beginnings as a retail seating manufacturer, Global has grown into a leader in the contract furniture industry, helping unlock the potential of people in the spaces where we work, learn, and heal. As one of the largest contract furniture manufacturers in the world, Global is supported by a strong network of more than 2,500 dealers and a robust portfolio that offers furniture solutions for workplace, healthcare, and education environments.

President and CEO Joel Feldberg reflects on the vision of his father, founder Saul Feldberg, who set out with a simple but powerful goal: “Build a chair that the average person could afford.” Beyond that, Joel notes, Saul was determined to build a company and a culture that valued people above all else. He explains, “Our mantra is ‘Improve everything, change nothing,’ meaning we continue to improve our processes, our designs, and our efficiencies—but we don’t change our culture or who we are.”

This approach has driven Global’s success over the past 60 years, including its expansion into new markets, its award-winning designs that respond to evolving customer needs, and its continued commitment to manufacturing locally. It has allowed Global to remain nimble, respond quickly to market demands, and maintain high standards for quality, cost control, labor practices, and environmental responsibility. It has also helped create a people-first culture that fosters deep loyalty among employees and customers—many of whom have been part of the Global community for decades.

To mark this milestone, Global will begin celebrating its people and customers with a special anniversary event at its headquarters in Toronto in May 2026. Additional celebrations are planned throughout the year across Global’s locations in Canada and the United States.

Driven by the passion and dedication of its people and guided by the family values instilled by founder Saul Feldberg, Global will continue to evolve alongside the industry—investing in its people and infrastructure, in great design, and in delivering the best possible customer service experience. “I am proud of what we have built at Global and to be able to carry on my father’s vision for the company,” Joel adds, “I can’t wait to see what’s next for Global.”

About Global

Global Furniture Group was founded in 1966 with the vision of manufacturing well-made office furniture at affordable prices. Today we continue that promise through a vertically integrated network of suppliers, manufacturers and distributors that bring our products to market worldwide.

At Global, we connect people and spaces to the places where we work, learn and heal with furniture solutions that are welcoming, supportive and sustainable. Our success over the past half-century is driven by our diverse team, whose pride in creating quality products and commitment to service define every customer experience. We are your trusted partner.

“It all started with a chair the average person could afford,” Saul Feldberg, Founder and late Chairman of the Global Group of Companies.

Saul Feldberg at Global’s first facility in Downsview, Ontario. In Global’s early years, Saul Feldberg was a designer, salesperson, manager and plant foreman.

Global senior management at the annual sales meeting in 1976. Saul Feldberg is seated at the end of the table. Greg Gabourie, at Saul’s right, designed several best-selling chairs.

Global’s first catalogue was printed in black and white.

Global’s first color brochures cost $10,000 to print—a small fortune for the newly formed company.

Global’s customer newsletter in 1983 showcases the company’s commitment to quality control. In the 1990’s Global became the first furniture company in Canada to have its own in-house, government-certified testing laboratory.

The U.S. team poses in front of the newly opened Global Group Center in Downsview, Ontario. Designed by Moriyama and Teshima Architects, the 110,000 sq. ft. facility opened in October 2000 and continues to welcome guests from North America and around the world today. The center encompasses showrooms, a learning center and customer presentation rooms.