NEWH - Winter 2021 - 60

COVER STORY
Human-Centered Approach
Fabricut's company culture permeates everything it does
By Alia Akkam
Photography courtesy of Fabricut Contract
I
t was 1980 when Fabricut first entered the hospitality sector with the
acquisition of Lazarus Fabrics, eventually forming Fabricut Contract. This
division, also catering to the commercial, senior living, and healthcare
spheres, provides customers a wide range of designs that transcend the
drapery, bedding, and upholstery fabrics for which Fabricut is known.
Leather, wallcoverings, decorative trimmings and hardware, finished
products, and custom designs are all part of the mix, too. As David Finer, CEO
of Fabricut Inc. puts it, " We are the definitive answer for all the decorative
needs in a property. "
Such a robust array, however, does not mean sacrificing a personal,
human-centered approach to business. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the
company was established in 1954 by David's father, Joe Finer, and Harry
Guterman, whose son Michael Guterman now serves as COO.
" The fact that two immigrants from Nazi-occupied Europe started a
company in the 1950s with nothing but their courage, work ethic, and
intelligence has provided an everlasting legacy for the second and third
generations who have followed them, as well as all of the employees of the
company, " explains David. " Fabricut's mission is to provide quality goods and
services to the interior design trade and to provide a very good and secure
living for its 400 employee-owners. Fabricut trades on its strong culture and
integrity, and this is often the case with long, deep family roots. "
Regional sales manager Kelly Felton, who started at Fabricut Contract in
October 2019 shortly before the pandemic, noticed this ethos immediately
and was impressed by " how much the company reinvested in itself, its
people, and its products during this time. Others were shutting down or
streamlining, but we kept expanding and diversifying. "
This breadth is something that David attributes to Fabricut's extensive
supplier network and capable sales force worldwide. " These two combined
allow us to bring a varied product selection to a wide range of customers and
match product with need, " he adds.
Luxury is one aspect of Fabricut Contract's range, underscored by
developments within S. Harris. Brought into the contract realm in 2014, it's
known for its textures and patterns, including the stain-resistant series of Q2
Performance Fabrics inspired by art, fashion, and travel.
Jodi Finer Zalk, David's daughter and creative director of the nearly
120-year-old S. Harris, says that she sought out her role because of the
brand's history and potential. Kicking off her interior design career in
hospitality, Jodi took note of how " during presentations, S. Harris was always
the brand within Fabricut's family that really changed people. To see faces
light up after seeing a product was great reinforcement. It was invigorating to
see a product line that created a spark. "
Nancy Micsko, a Fabricut Contract regional sales manager and national
sales manager for S. Harris Contract who has been with Fabricut for 30 years,
says that " people want luxury goods, but at a value. We are redefining S.
Harris and it's becoming more about social impact and giving back-how we
place ourselves in the world. "
Consider Orejen, a collection launched in partnership with the Black
Artists + Designers Guild that honors the African Diaspora, or Textured, a
blog that highlights talented creatives through the lens of design.
" We are focused on psychological wellbeing and making the
design industry even stronger than it is today through education
and empowerment, " adds Zalk. " We think of ourselves as a hypercollaborative
brand. We look to partner with those who believe in
collective energy. The new sustainability is not just about 'green,' it's
about creating win-wins for all sides. "
This value-driven mentality crosses over to the booming senior
living space, where Felton notes that more residents are demanding
an environment " that feels like they are home. " Although Fabricut
Contract fabrics, like those with Crypton and FibreGuard Pro, are
especially suitable for this market, Micsko also notes that many
customers are desiring materials like residential natural linens that
meet 701 flame-retardancy standards, " which is changing everything
for them because they are not having to wait on a custom product. "
Among Fabricut Contract's most recent releases are the FR-One
collection (Fabricut Contract is the exclusive distributor of FR-One
fabrics throughout North America)-showcasing eight patterns that
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