Harden's green efforts praised

By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, October 19, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Case goods manufacturer Harden Furniture was honored last week with a President's Award from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative for supporting responsible forest management and promoting the benefits of the SFI program.

Harden has a plant in McConnellsville, N.Y., and owns and manages more than 20,000 acres of woodland in upstate New York. The plant and forest are certified to the SFI 2005-2009 Standard.

Earlier this year, Harden became the first furniture manufacturer to achieve silver exemplary status from the Sustainable Furniture Council.

“Maintaining our forestlands to the high SFI Standard means we can produce the products we need without compromising our natural resources. It is a key advantage in the company's ability to produce high-quality home furnishings from generation to generation,” said Greg Harden, president and CEO.

Harden has made the certification part of its marketing efforts and has supported the independent forest certification program through branding and promotions, including in-store displays.

“The company is a firm advocate of third-party forest certification, and demonstrates through its actions that it values and understands the environmental and social strength behind the SFI program,” said SFI President and CEO Kathy Abusow.

Other companies recognized for their work in supporting the SFI and forest certification were Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors, National Envelope, Sierra Pacific Inds. and Smead Mfg.