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Bernhardt Launches Initiative To Advance Systemic Environmental Business Practices
The Cascade Etagere/Bookcase
Appx retail $1699.
Cascade by Bernhardt:
Eco-Friendly Collection
LENOIR, NC, October 1, 2007 – Bernhardt has instituted new corporate policy committed to instigating environmentally sound practices in all of the company’s daily business activities.
The initiative amplifies a long-held tradition of providing a safe and healthful workplace, protecting the environment and conserving energy and natural resources. New measures target improvements in energy and water use, emissions and air quality, packaging and waste reduction, renewable and sustainable materials, product stewardship, supply chain management, environmental programs/affiliations and employee awareness and involvement.
“We want to go beyond simply complying with environmental legislation and regulations,” says Alex Bernhardt, Sr., Chairman and CEO. “We want to become leading environmental supporters in our community and industry.”
Business Practices, All Facilities Bernhardt is actively pursuing certification – for all of its manufacturing facilities and corporate office – by EFEC (Enhancing Furniture’s Environmental Culture), an environmental management program developed by the American Home Furnishings Alliance to help members create and maintain strong, proactive environmental management systems.
Following new procedures, participating Bernhardt facilities have already this year reduced electrical consumption by nine percent and fresh water consumption by eight percent. Plant recycling programs have resulted in a 17 percent reduction in waste disposal and landfill consumption. The company has also made significant capital investments in new lower-emission equipment.
Among the company’s environmental objectives are supply chain management practices.To that end, Bernhardt’s has sent questionnaires to leading suppliers to ascertain those suppliers’ environmental efforts in hopes of working collectively with them to achieve significant, positive results.
The People Who Make It Happen
Policy alone doesn’t ensure change – people create change, and Bernhardt associates are joining teams and driving collective efforts to further Bernhardt’s green initiative as the company’s entire corporate culture is becoming one of environmental citizenship. Programs initiated and driven by Bernhardt employees include:
- Comprehensive Recycling CoOp - dramatically reducing waste in all Bernhardt facilities.
- Community Partners - Multiple efforts, including partnering with local schools to extend recycling and waste reduction efforts.
- EFEC Teams - Small units formed to expedite certification processes.
- High Point Showroom Board - reviewing product, operational processes, people and performance.
Environmentally-Friendly Products, October 2007
Encouraged by sales increases in GREENGUARD certified furniture (low emission products that contribute to more healthful indoor environments) marketed through Bernhardt Design, the company’s contract casegoods division, today Bernhardt Residential Upholstery and Casegoods divisions are introducing at the High Point Market new programs of eco-friendly products for the home.
Bernhardt Upholstery is making a difference from the inside out. The division is debuting eight skus of environmentally-friendly upholstery, including two fabric seating groups and two freestanding upholstered chairs. (For instance: the Linden Sofa G5977 - appx retail $1675.)
Standards for the Bernhardt's “green” upholstery program include:
- Frames & Legs Wood is from certified sustainable forests;glue is PVA/formaldehyde free.
- Finish A water based finish system system is used.
- Cushions & Filling Renewable resource fibers and cushions enhanced with eco-friendly ingredients.
- Fabric 100% natural fibers and organic fabrics; GOTS (Global Organic Textiles Standard) dyes.
- Packaging Recyclable cardboard and plastic materials.
Bernhardt Casegoods today debuts the eco-friendly Cascade collection, a 61-piece whole home group in certified sustainable rustic walnut veneers.( For instance: the Cascade Display Curio 397-132/636 - appx retail $1699.)
Materials and methods used in the construction and marketing of Cascade by Bernhardt - including the display space within the company's High Point Market showroom – have been developed to help protect the balance of the environment.
Casegoods environmental standards include:
- Solid Wood Plantation grown rubberwood.
- Veneers Rustic walnut veneers from sustainable U.S. suppliers.
- Finishes A 47% reduction in VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
- Foam Having no measurable PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers).
- Packaging 100% recyclable.
- Catalog Printed on SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified paper.
Showroom Designed with environmentally friendly materials such as Benjamin Moore EcoSpec paints with low VOCs, natural silk and grasscloth wallcoverings, and sisal floorcoverings.
Bernhardt expects to have all plant and office facilities and practices prepared for EFEC audit and certified in 2008. Click here for more information about the company’s environmental policy.
Prices shown in this press release are approximate retail prices in U.S. dollars and may vary by retailer.