Forte Shareholders are independently owned and operated showrooms that cater to architects, designers, contractors, builders, the trades and the public. Forte shareholders distinguish themselves by their ability to display limited distribution high-end products, mix and match lines and provide value-added services only available from showrooms with superior product knowledge and exceptional customer service.

Shareholder Benefits
The advantages of becoming a Forte Shareholder are as follows:

• Better discounts that aggregate the purchasing power of more than 250 independent showrooms
• Quarterly rebates from more than 70 leading manufacturers
• Ongoing market research
• Annual Conference to exchange information and meet with preferred vendors
• Network with industry leaders and communicate with showroom owners from throughout the country
• Ability to track dollar volume online
• Increased profitability
• Preferred display and shipping programs

Membership Requirements
Forte is the nation’s largest, most successful and effective buying group for decorative plumbing and hardware. Forte represents more than 250 of the leading showrooms throughout North America that have aggregated their purchasing power to receive preferential pricing, rebates and cash discounts from more than 70 of the leading manufacturers and importers serving the independent decorative plumbing and hardware channel.

Forte is not a membership organization and submitting an application is not a guarantee of acceptance.  Forte looks to attract the market leaders in each region that can bring and create value for Forte, fellow Shareholders and Preferred Vendors.

The requirements of membership are straightforward. Forte shareholders must agree to the following:

• Purchase at least the annual minimum volume from Forte Preferred Vendors.
• Feature displays from at least 25% of Forte Preferred Vendors in the Showroom.
• Agree to Forte payment terms that require invoices dated between the first of the month and the 15th of every month to be paid to vendors by the 10th of the following month (paid means postmarked) and invoices dated between the 16th of the month and the last day of the month paid (postmarked) by the 24th of the following month.
• Attend the Forte Annual Conference.

In addition to the unparalleled financial benefits of belonging to Forte, Shareholders can tap a vast network of knowledge and expertise to improve the quality of a showroom’s operations and address problems ranging from human resource issues to appropriate merchandising mix. Belonging to Forte not only improves your financial operations, it enhances all business operations.

Quality and professionalism are paramount at Forte and the primary reasons Forte represents the finest showrooms in the nation. We welcome your interest and look forward to the possibility of including you as a Forte Shareholder.

To obtain a Shareholder application, please call the Forte office at 301-657-2586.