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Date: July 27, 1994

Title: Top 20/JP Corporate Interiors

Five years ago, Michael Becker adapted a holistic approach to his lifestyle. He realized that the whole person–including the body, mind, and spirit–needed to be in balance with all of its parts. He became more conscious of foods and exercise, and became a firm believer in the philosophy that we all have control over our own lives. He read books on the subject and consulted with doctors about it.

After Becker successfully changed his personal philosophy, he decided to apply the same approach to his business. Thus was born the new JP Corporate Interiors. The company had been founded in 1977 by Becker and his father under the name JP Office Furniture. When the two split five years ago, Becker transformed the company from a retail furniture store to one that concentrated on office space design and ergonomics. The new sales approach concentrated on meeting the customer”s needs rather than just making the sale. Clients now include AT&T, Dole Foods and Nynex, as well as many small and mid-sized companies.

Located on Route 22 in Hillside, JP Corporate Interiors boasts the largest office-furniture showroom in New Jersey. The facility, however, was not always used for furniture. Originally it was a soda warehouse. The front windows that now advertise office products used to be the location for loading docks where tractor trailers picked up soda. Some of the refrigerators that formerly stored soda are still in place. But today the 20,000-sq.-ft. facility houses products from more than 50 manufacturers that range from chairs, desks and computer tables to conference tables and file cabinets. A 100,000-sq.-ft. warehouse where furniture and incoming products are stored is also located in Hillside.

The company”s new approach has been financially successful–sales have doubled since 1991 to reach $3.3 million in 1993.

While many businesses suffered during the recession, JP Corporate Interiors was not one of them. As companies downsized, JP helped them with the furniture changes needed in new offices. A large part of JP”s business during the recession also came from people setting up home offices. To help them get started in a hurry, Becker began a furniture leasing program.

Although the company switched its focus, many of its original clients from the 1970s are still with it. As those companies have grown over the years, their office space needs have changed, and JP has remained with them. “A lot of times when you grow, you lose customers,” Becker says. “We cherish our foundation because they”re excited that we”re growing too.”

As companies continue to downsize, Becker expects to move into facility management to replace services that companies used to provide in-house. And then, just to be holistic, Becker wants to “have even more fun in the future.” s