SANTA CRUZ, CALIF.—Environmentally-conscious furniture design company Maria Yee, Inc. marked its first shipment of select products made with 100 percent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified hardwood last month.
“Five years ago our China factories started looking into using hardwood that was FSC-certified,” said Maria Yee, president. “To finally have our efforts validated by such a well-respected organization is incredibly gratifying.”
The FSC is an international organization that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. Maria Yee began researching FSC certification in 2003 while the FSC was working with Chinese authorities on certification matters. During that time, Maria Yee continued to enforce its own policy of responsible forest management while simultaneously developing patent-pending, rapidly renewable BambooTimbre. This new form of solid bamboo was created specifically for luxury furniture making and was released to the marketplace in 2005.
Process Began in 2006
In 2006, working with FSC-certified timber suppliers in China, Maria Yee started the process of becoming FSC “Chain Of Custody” certified. Two years later the hard work paid off, and select products handcrafted using 100 percent FSC-certified hardwood were shipped last month.
Maria Yee, renowned for its hand craftsmanship using pure joinery, where no nails or screws are used, will offer more products made using FSC-certified hardwood. Due to the stringent guidelines placed on FSC members, Maria Yee must continue to follow strict processes and procedures required to maintain FSC certification.
“We welcome this challenge because we want to foster trust with consumers and encourage others to adopt a similar eco-friendly mindset,” said CEO Peter Yee. “We are so fortunate to have the Earth’s natural resources available to us. We would be remiss if we failed to do everything in our power to safeguard them for future generations.”
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