Harden moving toward 100% forest certification
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 10, 2003
McConnellsville, N.Y. — High-end case goods manufacturer Harden Furniture is preparing for certification of its timber harvesting activities through the Sustainable Forest Initiative.
The certification includes Harden's own harvesting in company-owned and -managed forests, and the harvesting activity of Harden's suppliers.
The SFI program is a system of principles, objectives, performance measures and indicators designed to support the sustainable harvesting of forest products to ensure long-term forest productivity. The program also focuses on the protection of water and air quality and the enhancement of wildlife habitats.
Harden's certification process will conclude by late summer with a third-party audit and official SFI certification.
Harden would be the first U.S. furniture manufacturer to achieve 100% certification of its forestry activities under SFI standards.
The company said its SFI participation reinforces its commitment to the long-term health and sustainability of the forests it uses, and the production of furniture in the United States.
Founded in 1844, Harden is in its fifth generation of family ownership and is the oldest family-owned U.S. furniture manufacturer.
Even before they started the furniture company, the family ran a sawmill to support the expansion of rail and canal systems in upstate New York.
The company owns or manages more than 20,000 acres of forest in central New York and also sources lumber from local suppliers.
