The HON Company Further Solidifies Environmental Commitment with Increasing Numbers of Indoor Air Quality Certifications

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Betsy Hoye, Advertising & Public Relations Manager, 563.272.5690, HoyeB@honcompany.com 
Jennifer Allanson or Robin Suttell, Robert Falls & Co. Public Relations, 216.696.0229, jallanson@robertfalls.com or rsuttell@robertfalls.com

Muscatine, IA – December, 2007 – The HON Company, known for its longstanding proactive environmental vision, announced today a major certification expansion in their Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Indoor Advantage Gold certifications.  This expansion cements the company’s ongoing environmental commitment and active participation in sustainability initiatives, as well as its support of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system.

These certifications, which encompass 32 series of chairs, mark The HON Company’s 63rd product line to receive either SCS Indoor Advantage or SCS Indoor Advantage Gold recognition in the past two years. Gold certification in this program signifies that the product has met the most rigorous criteria for indoor air quality standards (IAQ) in the United States.

SCS, a third-party auditor and certifier of environmental and sustainability claims, has developed internationally recognized standards and certification programs designed to help manufacturers meet the highest level of environmental and quality performance.

“We strive to achieve Indoor Advantage Gold certification for all of our seating products,” said Brian Miller, vice president of seating for The HON Company. “We are thrilled that the majority of our seating products have received Indoor Advantage Gold certification. This certification is just another example of our commitment as a leader in true environmental responsibility. We just don’t talk about going green. We’re actually doing it – with measurable results.” 

Nearly all manufactured products emit chemical compounds into the air. The SCS Indoor Advantage certification program tests and certifies products for indoor air quality by evaluating these compounds to help improve the air quality within enclosed indoor environments. The testing process subjects both product components and overall assemblies to a stringent testing protocol. It provides a detailed analysis of a comprehensive range of chemicals rather than a simple pass/fail for only the most commonly occurring ones.

For years, The HON Company has strived to maintain responsible manufacturing practices and emphasize efficiency and waste elimination in all of its operations. To this end, the company complies with the industry’s most comprehensive programs to conserve raw materials and reduce waste in its manufacturing processes. This involves everything from product design to packing materials to manufacturing processes. The IAQ certification process is an extension of The HON Company’s commitment to find new and innovative ways to bring environmentally responsible products to market.

Additionally, as part of The HON Company’s initiative to ensure all products adhere to the LEED system standards, the company also makes material improvements to existing lines. As a result, numerous furniture lines, in addition to the newly certified seating collection, have received the SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certification. These include laminate casegoods; all metal storage products produced by The HON Company; and the Accomplish™ line of classroom furniture.

“This strongly reflects The HON Company’s environmental mission,” notes Mindy Billingsley, HON’s environmental marketing manager. “We were the first office furniture manufacturer to participate in the Indoor Advantage air quality certification program, and we will continue to make strides in assuring the best possible air quality in furnishing solutions for office workers across the country.”

For more information on SCS’s Indoor Advantage certification program, visit http://www.scscertified.com/iaq/indooradvantage.html.

About SCS
SCS is an internationally recognized third-party auditor, certifier, and standards developer for environmental, sustainable, and product quality claims. Over two decades, SCS has developed standards and offered certification programs spanning a wide cross section of the economy, including the green building, manufactured goods, retailing, food and agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and energy sectors.

About The HON Company
The HON Company is a leader in the design and manufacturing of workplace furniture including chairs, storage, panel systems, tables and desks. Headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, The HON Company has numerous manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the United States, and markets its products through a nationwide network of dealers and retailers. The HON Company is an operating company of HNI Corporation (formerly HON INDUSTRIES). For more information, visit www.HON.com or www.HONthinksgreen.com.
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