Forte was established in 2002 to advance the interests of the independent decorative plumbing and hardware channel. Forte differs from other "traditional" buying groups by the fact that its shareholder dealers and preferred vendors recognize that more is not necessarily better, but better is better. Forte's membership approach accounts for the unique nature of limited distribution products sold in decorative plumbing and hardware showrooms. That is the reason why Forte has been able to attract market leaders in most of the metropolitan regions in the United States and Canada. Forte's appreciation for limited distribution is the reason why leading manufacturers elect to serve as Forte Preferred Vendors.

Forte's mission is to remain the buying group in the decorative plumbing and hardware industry. By aggregating the purchasing power of more than 250 of the leading showrooms throughout the United States and Canada, Forte levels the playing field for independent dealers by negotiating cash discounts, preferred pricing and rebate levels that are equal if not superior to those offered to publicly traded big boxes and multibranch retailers.