Couristan at 100 – blending heritage, craft and innovation
FORT LEE, N.J. – Heading into 2026, family flooring company Couristan begins its 100th anniversary celebration, including a kickoff event from 3-6 p.m., Jan. 27, 2026, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, space 2923, during the upcoming Las Vegas Market.
Founded in 1926 by brothers Basil J. Couri, Aleer J. Couri and George J. Couri, Couristan began as a small importer of fine handmade Persian area rugs. 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,” said George G. Couri, Couristan’s company owner and chairman for the past 37 years.
Despite the Great Depression of the 1930s and other global challenges, Couristan cultivated a market for handmade Oriental area rugs and became a large importer of rugs during the 1940s and 1950s.
In the early 1960s, Couristan diversified and introduced residential broadloom as well as adding 100% wool, machine-made rugs from Belgium. And, in 1964, the company launched its machine-made rugs division, with the debut of the Kashimar collection which remains a part of the company’s portfolio today.
“Our residential business has never been stronger,” said Len Andolino, current company president. “We’re seeing renewed enthusiasm for rugs that reflect a designer’s personal touch. It’s where our legacy of quality meets today’s culture of customization.”
Today, Couristan offers both machine-made and digitally printed collections crafted from wool, cotton and premium synthetic blends.
“At Couristan, tradition and technology don’t compete; they complement,” said Andolino. “By maintaining a diversified product mix across both machine-made and handmade rugs, we can serve our customers with the flexibility that today’s market demands.”
A key milestone came in 2003 with the launch of the Recife collection of indoor/outdoor area rugs. Machine-made to resist UV damage, mold, mildew and water, the launch extended the company’s expertise in interiors to exterior spaces.
This year, the company introduced several new handmade collections which span Couristan’s roots from approachable hand-tufted styles to hand-woven and hand-knotted designs.
“We’re bringing the past forward, honoring our heritage while charting a course for innovation, design and meaningful connection with our customers,” Andolino added.
As the company enters its centennial year, it is embracing its roots in handmade while remaining at the forefront of design and innovation, according to both Couri and Andolino.
“A hundred years is a milestone, but for us, it’s also a beginning,” said Couri. “We’re still as curious and committed as our founders were, only now, we’re weaving that spirit into a new era of design.”
