Hickory Chair Wins Inaugural Sage Award

November 13, 2008  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in on November 2008 Hickory Chair, Hickory, N.C., has won the inaugural Sage Award competition sponsored by the American Home Furnishings Alliance and Cargill’s BiOH Polyls business unit. Hickory Chair President Jay Reardon accepted the award at a reception Thursday evening during AHFA’s Sustainability Summit at the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, N.C.

The competition recognizes environmental accomplishment in the home furnishings and bedding industries.

Hickory Chair employees implemented more than 1,200 improvements in 2007 for better machine utilization, reduced energy consumption; process improvements that eliminated rework and wasted materials; eliminated non-value-added operations; improved productivity and reduced energy and material usage. The 97-year-old company has implemented these and other environmental practices while growing profits and growth, adding an average of 30 employees a year the past three--all while holding prices for more than five years even as employees received raises and bonuses.

The reception also honored the competition’s other two finalists, Cisco Brothers, Los Angeles; and Valley Forge, Pompano Beach, Fla.

This year’s competition drew 14 entries that included retailers, manufacturers and suppliers. A panel of 10 judges from the industry, environmental and social organizations, and trade and consumer press evaluated the entries for positive environmental impact, social responsibility and contribution to business success.