MARTINSVILLE, Va., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Because of its
extraordinary commitment to protect the environment, Stanley Furniture Company
is the first furniture company in the United States to be recognized by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as one of the nation's top environmental
performers.
The company's Martinsville plant has been named a member of the EPA's
prestigious National Environmental Performance Track program, which honors
companies that consistently exceed environmental regulation requirements and
are dedicated to motivating other companies to achieve similar improvements.
Performance Track companies have been identified by the EPA as setting the
pace by demonstrating successful ways to increase protection of public health
and the environment. Stanley joins just over 300 facilities throughout the
nation that have been honored for taking exceptional steps to reduce and
prevent pollution, while improving productivity.
"At Stanley, we believe we have a responsibility to protect not just our
community, but our environment, from unnecessary pollution," says Jeff
Scheffer, Stanley president and CEO. "This year, for example, our
Martinsville facility has recycled 60 tons of paper, cardboard and magazines,
thereby saving 990 trees or the equivalent of the trash generated by a family
of four in 18 and one-half years. In addition, we have recycled 1,060 tons of
processed wood as fuel, saving 118,000 gallons of fuel oil or 17 million cubic
feet of natural gas."
Stanley qualified for the program because of its past environmental
achievements, its continuous commitment to environmental compliance and a
strong environmental management system.
"Performance Track facilities represent a new generation of environmental
leaders who have the vision to embrace the strategies that will protect the
environment for generations to come," says Dan Fiorino, director of the EPA's
Performance Incentives Division.
The EPA Performance Track designation carries benefits, as well. They
include EPA recognition, as well as administrative and regulatory incentives,
which decrease paperwork and increase flexibility, while allowing facilities
to focus on environmental improvement.
A TRADITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE
The national honor coincides with admittance of the Martinsville facility
into the State of Virginia Environmental Excellence E3 Program, for companies
with a fully implemented environmental management system, pollution prevention
programs and demonstrated performance.
The two new designations are the most recent accolades for Stanley, which
already had established itself as a leader in environmental protection. In
2002, Stanley became the first furniture manufacturing company in the nation
to successfully implement a proactive environmental program, EFEC (Enhancing
Furniture's Environmental Culture), created by the American Furniture
Manufacturer's Association.
Three years ago, Stanley began a comprehensive recycling program at its
Martinsville facility. "We have been recycling wood, metal, paper and
cardboard," says Dave Maddox, Stanley's Director of Environmental Engineering.
"An added benefit has been a significant financial savings. The cost of trash
pickup, as well as fuel expenses, has decreased."
"To be recognized as a proactive steward of the environment is one of the
greatest honors that we have ever received," Scheffer says. "As a Performance
Track company, we plan to continuously improve our environmental standards,
not because the law requires it, but because it is the right thing to do."
One of the largest furniture manufacturers in the United States, Stanley
Furniture Co., Inc. is widely recognized as a style and design leader. The
company has received nine coveted Pinnacle Awards for fine quality residential
wood furniture, ranging from traditional to contemporary. Stanley Collections
are presented as dining room, bedroom, home entertainment and accent tables,
and home office. Young America(R) is the industry leader in youth furniture.
Founded in 1924, Stanley has a strong tradition of superior product
supported by excellent quality and service. The shipment of orders to retail
stores -- an average of 14 days this year -- is among the fastest in the
industry. Production facilities are located in Stanleytown and Martinsville,
Va., as well as Robbinsville and Lexington, N.C. Stanley's upper-medium
priced furniture is sold to furniture specialty stores, department stores and
furniture store chains. Stanley common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock
Market under the symbol STLY.
For additional information, visit stanleyfurniture.com.
SOURCE Stanley Furniture Company, Inc.
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http://www.stanleyfurniture.com
Company News On-Call:
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CONTACT:
Karen McNeill Harris of McNeill
Communications Group Inc., +1-336-884-8700, for Stanley Furniture
Company, Inc.; or Robin Campbell of Stanley Furniture Company
Inc., +1-276-627-2245
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