Sustainable cabinetry options grow

While the environment and sustainability have taken a backseat to the economy and a potential global plague on the evening news, when it comes time to buy cabinetry or furniture consumers want green options. And manufacturers are listening.
Superior Woodcraft, a custom cabinet manufacturer announced all its products and processes have been certified by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s (KCMA) Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP). The ESP promotes the use of lumber from recognized forestry programs, such as the Forest Stewardship Council, and low formaldehyde-emitting wood products. Other features of the program include rewards to manufacturers who implement educational and community outreach programs, and the requirement that companies annually review environmental practices.
Certification is just the latest step in Superior Woodcraft’s environmental efforts, in 2004 the cabinetmaker partnered with the KCMA and The National Arbor Day Foundation to help plant 50,000 trees. The company partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in 2005 to support the Hardwood Forestry Fund by planting more than 19,000 trees in the Susquehannock State Forest.

Sex, lies and office furniture

Apparently more than furniture making is on the mind of top brass at KI.
The former president of the Green Bay manufacturer has filed a lawsuit claiming his was wrongly fired in May 2008 after confronting his boss, Richard Resch, CEO and “philanthropist” about his repeated affairs with female staffers, according to an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Roderick Ganiard makes the claims in the lawsuit against Resch that at least five women have brought sexual harassment complaints against KI, and that Resch forced him out after he led the company to record sales. It also claims that Resch’s alleged relationships with female employees disrupted day-to-day operations. Ganiard seeks several hundred thousand dollars in lost wages and benefits he claims he was denied as well as unspecified punitive damages.
Attorneys for Resch deny the claims, according to court records.
The lawsuit’s timing also could affect a potential sale of KI. In the current economy, many office furniture manufacturers are laying off workers, cutting plants and scaling back product offerings. However, Resch and KI are no strangers to sexual harassment and wrongful termination lawsuits. This sounds like great fodder for a reality show or at least a Lifetime movie of the week.

Flotation device or eco-chic chair?

Norwegian artist and furniture design student, Camilla Hounsell Halvorsen created an eco-friendly chair made out of recycled upholstery material and inner tubes.

Drop chairs have stainless steel legs with an inner tube covered with fabric. The seat is not permanently fixed to the under frame so it can be tilted by the user. The seat also can be removed from the frame and used as a cushion.
“The chair’s design has been inspired by the process behind making tassels. Drop introduces elements of childish delight and colorfulness into the user’s everyday life,” according to Halvorsen.
I just have one question: Can the chair’s cushion be used as a floatation device in the event of a water landing????

Casegoods companies build on sustainable practices

La-Z-Boy casegoods companies American Drew and Lea Industries have achieved Sustainable by Design registration.
The American Home Furnishings Alliance’s Sustainable by Design program aims to create a culture of conservation and environmental stewardship with sustainable business practices, according to the association.
“… American Drew and Lea Industries have realized a 12 percent reduction in electrical energy used over the past two years,” said Stephanie St. Pierre, environmental and safety manager for the two companies.
The companies also are reducing water use, resulting in a savings of 3 percent, or 300,000 gallons, in the first year. Also, 140 tons of solid waste was diverted from landfills to a recycling center during the past year.
As part of the program’s audit, the companies established several goals, including:
*Supply chain management
*Energy conservation, water conservation, recycling and solid/hazardous waste minimization
*Use of low-VOC/low-HAP coatings, certified lumber, low-emitting UF resins
Kincaid Furniture, also part of the La-Z-Boy casegoods division, previously passed the sustainability audit and Hammary is slated to complete the program later this month.

Furniture Buying Index remains at 56

The Furniture Buying Index remained unchanged this month at 56, according to America’s Research Group.
Britt Beemer, chairman of America’s Research Group, said, “This is somewhat positive for the furniture industry since at least the index did not go down …”
The Furniture Buying Index is compiled each month by America’s Research Group from interviews with 5,000-8,000 consumers across the U.S.
This may be an indicator that the recession has bottomed out or at least stabilized. While consumer confidence remains low, I think furniture manufacturers will have to offer rock-bottom prices to get customers into showrooms.