Plant Sets Standard in Environmental Excellence

Dec. 14, 1999
Steelcase Wood manufacturing plant plans to reduce emissions by 70 percent.

Steelcase said its new Steelcase Wood manufacturing plant will reduce the amount of emissions by 70 percent, compared to its existing wood facility in Kentwood, Mich.

Steelcase is a designer and manufacturer of products used to create high-performance work environments, such as seating and furniture systems.

Construction of the new facility in Gaines Township, Mich. is expected to start the first quarter of next year.

The Gaines Township facility will incorporate low impact technology in order to reduce emissions. Steelcase collaborated with two industry suppliers to create a new finishing technology that will allow the company to switch from a largely solvent-based finishing system used at the existing facility to an innovative water-based finishing system.

In an effort to further benefit the environment, Steelcase has chosen not to sell its remaining unused emission credits from its existing facility to other corporations. Instead, it will voluntarily retire those credits.

Additionally, Steelcase is working closely with the U.S. Green Buildings Council to use the new building as a pilot project in its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

The Gaines Township facility is the first manufacturing building of its size to seek registration as a LEED facility.

"This facility is a remarkable achievement in developing one of the most environmentally sound industrial plants in the nation," said David Rinard, director of corporate environment, health and safety for Steelcase. "We feel this building will act as an environmentally sound model for our industry in the 21st century and set a benchmark for companies attempting to increase production while substantially reducing environmental emissions."

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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