corporate citizenship and community relations

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  "community involvement is a part of our culture."

  the importance of community

  Community involvement is an absolute must. We have tremendous credibility in our communities and with our clients, which we believe is a direct result of the credibility we in the Ethan Allen community have with one another. As Chairman, President and CEO, Farooq Kathwari sets an example with his personal community leadership activities and encourages the leaders of the local manufacturing, logistics, and Design Centers to set an example as leaders in their communities. Our people are big champions of the causes that matter most to them and their local communities.

  In some communities where we have manufacturing facilities, we are the largest employer in the area, and at all levels of the company we take that responsibility very seriously. We are part of hundreds of communities in North America; we are deeply involved in them. And in many countries around the world, we have associates and business partners who are deeply involved in their communities as well.

  For more information on Farooq Kathwari’s leadership activities please go to his personal website, www.farooqkathwari.com.
  

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  "our future depends on healthy, well-managed forests."

  our forestry practices

  There is a growing awareness among the general public that we must protect our global forest resources. This heightened concern is welcomed by those of us who are part of the forest products industry and who have always been deeply concerned about this precious resource. Our future depends on healthy, well-managed forests.

  Our forests are threatened in a variety of ways. Destruction of tropical rainforests is a global concern. Slash and burn agricultural practices and conversion of forests to permanent agricultural projects are the greatest threats to rainforest conservation. In the United States, recreational overuse, development, subdivision, overregulation, and excessive property taxation are all threats to the traditional uses of this renewable resource.

  Most of Ethan Allen’s lumber requirements are satisfied with native hardwood species, including soft and hard maple, black cherry, ash, and yellow birch. These trees grow in the forests along the mountain ranges of the eastern United States. They regenerate naturally by seeding and by stump and root sprouts. Because of this natural regeneration, hardwoods do not have to be planted. In fact, the natural regeneration often has to be thinned because it becomes too dense. There is approximately 82% more hardwood stock today than there was in 1952. Our proximity to these hardwood forests gives a competitive advange to Ethan Allen’s wood furniture factories located in Vermont, Maine, and North Carolina. Ethan Allen is one of the largest employers in northern Vermont. Ethan Allen’s Log and Lumber Director is a professionally trained and experienced forester.

  When it comes to tropical rainforests, the selective harvesting of valuable hardwoods provides revenue and an incentive for local governments to protect and maintain this valuable global resource. When Ethan Allen uses tropical hardwoods such as mahogany, we work with suppliers who we believe to be reputable in supplying wood that has been legally harvested.

  Ethan Allen supports the responsible use of our nation’s vast forest resource. It is a resource that has steadily increased over the last several decades and which is composed of approximately one-third of the nation’s land area. A resource that now contains more standing timber volume than it did in the early 1950s. A resource that provides a multitude of benefits, including wood for lumber and paper; clean air and water; a habitat for wildlife and outdoor recreation opportunities; and natural beauty to enjoy. A resource that, if properly managed, provides these amenities — forever.

  Although Ethan Allen owns very little timberland, we encourage our suppliers to practice scientifically sound forest management on theirs. Much of our lumber comes from lands that are intensively managed by professional foresters on a sustained yield basis. These forest managers work to create conditions that are favorable for producing the type of high-quality timber we require for our furniture. We work very closely with these suppliers to achieve a climate that provides for a balanced and fully integrated use of the resource. We also work very closely with our suppliers of non-native species, such as mahogany, to ensure that the lumber is obtained from a properly managed forest.

  Forests are a renewable resource and can provide us with many amenities if we are allowed to manage them.
  

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  "our integrated company-wide environment, health, and safety initiatives."

  environment, health, and safety

  It is Ethan Allen’s policy to ensure that every operating division makes it a priority to provide a safe workplace and protect the natural environment for the benefit of our employees, the community, and the company.

  Fulfilling this policy is a commitment shared at all levels of the company. We are committed to environmental leadership through sound practices, in the fields of environment, health, and safety. Through our Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) Management Standard and by applying a process of continuous improvement, we identify and eliminate potential hazards, liabilities, and risks that may be associated with our operations.

  
  Management
  Ethan Allen’s EH&S Management Standard provides the systematic framework through which Ethan Allen incorporates worker health and safety and the protection of the environment into its business practices and operations. We actively share information with industry, employees, and community regarding the promotion of environmental issues and protection of the environment. We have participated with the EPA on several initiatives.

  Waste Minimization and Pollution Prevention
  We use a number of methods to reduce, control, and/or eliminate the release of pollutants into the environment during finishing, milling, and other furniture manufacturing processes. Ethan Allen believes that ecologically sound practices and procedures not only help the environment but often reduce costs as well.

  Recycling
  Recycling is an essential part of the overall plan for reducing the amount of waste generated by our business. Ethan Allen has instituted a recycling program throughout its operations.

  Technology
  New and innovative technology continues to be evaluated and applied to our manufacturing processes. These new technologies have led to improved efficiencies in production as well as provided the methods to reduce, control, and/or eliminate environmental emissions. Innovative technologies may include, but are not limited to: high pressure/low volume spray equipment, ultraviolet finishes, flat line roll coating, and water-based finishes.

  Energy Conservation
  We have instituted proven practices to conserve energy. We burn our wood waste from our manufacturing processes to produce steam and heat at many locations. Many air heaters used in our facilities run on an efficient, convection type of heat that reduces energy demands. In some of our manufacturing locations, we produce electricity with the excess steam generated from the burning of wood waste.

  Chemical Substitution
  Ethan Allen has traditionally worked with our chemical suppliers to reduce, control, and/or eliminate the types of chemicals used in the finish materials (sprayed onto our products) that cause air emissions. Through strong partnerships with our chemical suppliers, we have reduced the toxicity and hazards of their chemicals, thus protecting our employees and further reducing emissions from our processes. We apply water-based coatings to our products where appropriate. We have established practices to reduce toxic chemicals in our packaging materials. We have eliminated the use of chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochloroflourocarbons (HCFCs) in our packaging material and have substituted water-based material for the solvent-based foam.

  Brownfield Economic Redevelopment Initiative
  The EPA’s Brownfield Economic Redevelopment Initiative is designed as an economic redevelopment or reuse program for sites that have actual or perceived contamination. Ethan Allen was one of the first companies in Vermont and Virginia to engage in the Brownfield and associated programs.