By:     Jackie Hirschhaut, 336/884-5000 x1016

HIGH POINT, N.C. – La-Z-Boy casegoods companies American Drew and Lea Industries have achieved Sustainable by Design registration.

To begin the Sustainable by Design program, American Drew and Lea first completed AHFA's environmental management system, called EFEC, at their manufacturing operation in North Wilkesboro, N.C. EFEC stands for Enhancing Furniture's Environmental Culture.

"Because of AHFA's EFEC and Sustainable by Design programs, American Drew and Lea Industries have realized a 12 percent reduction in electrical energy used over the past two years," explains Stephanie St. Pierre, environmental and safety manager for the two companies.

Their environmental commitment also helped the companies identify ways to reduce water usage at the North Wilkesboro facility, resulting in a savings of 3 percent, or 300,000 gallons, in the first year. In addition, 140 tons of solid waste was diverted from landfills to a recycling center in the past year.

However, to pass the Sustainable by Design audit, American Drew and Lea Industries were required to look beyond their North Wilkesboro operations and conduct a rigorous evaluation of their corporate environmental footprint, as well as their global climate impact. For each key area on a checklist, the companies established numerical goals and a system for evaluating annual achievement and establishing new goals. These key areas include:

• Supply chain management, including assisting suppliers worldwide in the development and implementation of sustainability programs;
• Energy conservation, water conservation, recycling and solid/hazardous waste minimization;
• Use of low VOC/low HAP coatings, certified lumber, low-emitting UF resins;
• Greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint.

Hammary, the remaining company in La-Z-Boy's Casegoods Division, is slated to complete the EFEC program later this month.