Company Profile
For 100 years, industry innovator Couristan has woven together tradition, design expertise, and forward-thinking innovation across area rugs, residential carpet, and a full portfolio of contract and hospitality floor coverings. From its modest beginnings in New York City to a global presence today, the family-owned and operated company has weathered wars, economic upheavals, and a global pandemic—emerging resilient and ever-evolving, with its legacy threaded through every area rug and carpet it produces.
Founded in 1926 by brothers Basil J., Aleer J., and George J. Couri, Couristan began as a small importer of fine handmade Persian area rugs. The brothers’ cross-continental journeys—including trans-Atlantic crossings, riverboats, the famed Orient Express, and early automobiles—laid the groundwork for a brand built on courage and vision. Originally named Couri Brothers, the company later became Couristan, a fusion of the family surname and the suffix “-stan,” referencing the historical and cultural influences of Persian civilization and surrounding countries. “Our founders believed every area rug should tell a story. A hundred years later, we’re still telling those stories—only now, they’re woven for a global stage,” says George G. Couri, Couristan’s Chairman for the past 37 years.
Despite the Great Depression and other global challenges of the time, Couristan stayed its course, cultivating a vibrant market for handmade Oriental area rugs from Persia (present day Iran), and emerged as one of the U.S.’s largest importers of fine quality handmade area rugs from the 1940s through 1950s.
Today, the company continues to import handmade area rugs. Strict “No Child Labor” policies are implemented and confirmed by continuous internal and private inspections of each facility in which the company’s handmade area rugs are created. Maintaining a strong belief that each handmade area rug tells its own story of patience and precision—from loom to room— every handmade area rug the company imports is woven with the care and character of the artisan’s hand. Beginning with the careful selection of premium yarns and the meticulous dyeing process, each handmade area rug is shaped through centuries-old weaving traditions that connect past and present in every thread.
Building on that success and the momentum of its expanding product portfolio, Couristan entered a new era of innovation in 1964 with the launch of its Machine-Made Area Rug Division. The debut of the celebrated Kashimar Collection, which remains part of the company’s portfolio today, marked a major step forward. By combining traditional expertise with emerging weaving technologies, the company made Persian-inspired area rugs accessible to a broader audience, pioneering the concept of “affordable luxury”. Today, Couristan offers a robust portfolio of machine-made and digitally printed collections crafted from Wool, Cotton, and Premium Synthetic Blends, providing versatile designs and textures for a wide range of interiors.
At Couristan, tradition and technology don’t compete—they complement,” says George G. Couri. “By maintaining a diversified product mix across machine-made and handmade area rugs, residential carpet, and our custom rug program, we can serve our customers with the flexibility of today’s market demands.”
In the early 1960s, Couristan embarked on a significant period of diversification, introducing fine-quality residential carpet—a strategic milestone that would go on to shape one of the company’s most enduring growth engines. During this era, the company also expanded its product offerings with the introduction of 100% Wool, machine-made area rugs from Belgium, further cementing its reputation for quality and innovation in the global flooring market.
Offered under its Premiere and Creations™ brands, Couristan’s Residential Broadloom (Carpet) Division spans classic, contemporary, transitional, indoor/outdoor, abstract, and eco-conscious designs. Its Residential Broadloom Division and Custom Rug Program have seen a major resurgence in recent years as more consumers and designers seek made-to-order rugs tailored from high-quality carpets that combine refined design detailing, performance, and individuality.
“We’re seeing renewed enthusiasm for carpet and custom rugs that reflect a designer’s personal touch. It’s where our legacy of quality meets today’s culture of customization,” comments George G. Couri. “The unparalleled breadth of designs, colors and textures offered in our residential carpet assortment is a reflection of the importance we place on color forecasting, design and construction analysis, as well as our ability to globally source the best products at the best prices for the consumer,” stated Couri.
Seeing notable success with its residential carpet products eventually led to the foundation of Couristan’s Contract•Hospitality Division in the 1960’s. Today the division has grown into a trusted resource for many of the world’s leading hospitality brands, including Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton, Hyatt, Four Seasons, and IHG Hotels, among others. The division specializes in Custom Woven Axminster Carpets in 80% Wool/20% Nylon and Solution Dyed Nylon, Hand-Tufted and Hand-Loomed Area Rugs in 100% Wool or Solution Dyed Acrylic for Indoor/Outdoor, High-Definition Printed Carpets in 80% Wool/20% Nylon or 100% Nylon, Machine-Tufted Solution Dyed Nylon Infinity, Colorpoint and CYP Broadloom and Area Rugs, and Axminster and Print Tile systems crafted for worldwide hotels, resorts, guest suites, casinos, cruise ships, private clubs, and public spaces.
“Our Contract•Hospitality Division has proven to be an incredibly valuable asset in recent years and has become the biggest part of our business. Our production capabilities combined with our expert staff of designers, technical and quality assurance teams, as well as senior management has enabled us to maintain the highest-levels of design, value and customer service,” comments George G. Couri.
A key milestone came in 2003 with the launch of the Recife Collection—a line of artfully designed indoor/outdoor area rugs. Machine-made from Couristan’s Courtron™ proprietary Polypropylene and engineered to resist UV damage, mold, mildew, and water, Recife marked a turning point for Couristan, extending its expertise in interiors to exterior spaces.
Today, the company’s outdoor portfolio encompasses a comprehensive range of indoor/outdoor carpet constructions and companion area rug collections, all produced with performance-driven materials such as Courtron™ Polypropylene, recycled PET, and weather-resistant Polyester Blends. Most products in this segment feature structured flatwoven constructions, complemented by select hand-hooked, hand-loomed and hand-woven styles that add texture, depth, and variety.
“When we developed Recife, our goal was to create area rugs that could truly stand up to the outdoors without sacrificing beauty or quality,” George G. Couri recalls. “It was exciting to see something so innovative take off, opening new ways for people to enjoy our area rugs and for us to explore new markets.”
Presently, the family-owned corporation consists of several operating entities. The North American sales and distribution corporation is comprised of two main divisions, with a nation-wide residential sales team focused on area rugs and residential carpet and a contract/hospitality sales team spearheading the company’s specialized custom carpeting business. With manufacturing centers, offices, and design studios across the globe, Couristan offers seamless service. Its New Jersey headquarters and state-of-the-art warehouses further support efficient worldwide distribution.
“A hundred years is a milestone, but for us, it’s also a beginning,” says George G. Couri. “As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, it’s remarkable to reflect that our family business has been part of that American story for a full century. We’re still as curious and committed as our founders were — only now, we’re weaving that spirit into a new era of design.”