HAWORTH ISSUES SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
HOLLAND, MI – June 15, 2009 – Haworth, Inc. today released its fourth annual sustainability report. The document represents the company’s global commitment to sustainability for worldwide operations and tracks Haworth’s successes and challenges. Report highlights include environmental profiles of several Haworth products manufactured and marketed worldwide; product and performance highlights from Europe, Asia Pacific and North America; and information on key environmental performance indicators including greenhouse gas emissions and water usage.
One of the ways Haworth expresses a commitment to sustainability is through the design and construction of its corporate spaces. In 2008, the company celebrated the opening of new global headquarters featuring many sustainable elements, including a 45,000-square-foot green roof and a three-story, 35,000-square-foot glass atrium. These design choices powerfully demonstrate that a sustainable space can be beautiful, efficient, and inspire the mind and spirit.
During 2008, significant progress was made towards the seven objectives outlined in the report, including sustainable product and workspace design. Haworth infused Design for the Environment (DfE) strategies and complete integration in all new products. In particular, the Very™ seating family achieved GREENGUARD® certification as a low-emitting product, as well as MBDC Cradle to CradleCM Gold and Silver Certifications. In Canada, the newly launched Morpheo product line, made by Haworth-owned Groupe Lacasse®, achieved GREENGUARD certification and GREENGUARD for Children and Schools. In 2008, Haworth launched BRAZO to the European market and enhanced the product line. BRAZO is 98.5 percent recyclable, boasts a 50,000-hour life span, and is 85 percent more energy efficient than incandescent lights. Haworth also achieved ISO 14001 certification for four additional manufacturing sites and expect to have all 21 locations certified by the end of 2009.
Ultimately, everything comes down to people, even sustainability. Haworth supports its employees when they give back to the world by donating time and money to charitable organizations around the globe. Haworth also encourages employees to adopt healthy lifestyles in many ways – for example, all North America sites went smoke-free in 2008 and fees for bike races and marathons are covered.
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Haworth, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of office furniture and organic workspaces, including raised access floors, moveable walls, systems furniture, seating, storage and wood casegoods. Family-owned and privately held, Haworth is headquartered in Holland, Michigan, and serves markets in more than 120 countries through a global network of 600 dealers. The company had net sales of US $1.65 billion in 2008. www.haworth.com & www.organicworkspaces.com