Craftmaster Furniture joins environmental program

Employees will undergo EFEC trading

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 11, 2010

TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — Upholstery producer Craftmaster Furniture says it is taking part in Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture, the program developed by the American Home Furnishings Alliance to improve the industry's environmental performance.

EFEC is a voluntary environmental management system that was created to keep in the industry in step with the pulse of the regulatory world.

"Through EFEC we will be able to analyze and better understand the environmental impact of our processes, raw material, finished product and overall inputs and outputs of our community," said Roy Calcagne, Craftmaster president and CEO. "We want to go beyond simply complying with environmental legislation and regulation; we want to become leading supporters in our community and among our furniture manufacturer peers."

Calcagne added, "There is both a financial and emotional push for companies to move to the frontline when addressing environmental concerns today. Statistics increasingly show that buying decisions are made on the basis of whether products are sound and manufacturers are environmentally credible.

"We took this into consideration when we are decided to become EFEC certified; from our employees, to the end users, to the community where we reside. We are committed to improving the health and safety of our employee environment and the community at large."
Craftmaster said each of its employees will go through an EFEC training program to learn more about the company's goal and how they can become involved. In addition, the company will hold discussions with members of the community and local officials.

Craftmaster also said it is using the EarthCare Inside program from supplier Hickory Springs, which incorporates eco-friendly components such as soy-based foam, springs of recycled steel, and pillows of regenerated fiber.

Calcagne said the company hopes to have the EFEC process complete "in a matter of months."