Knú: Sustainable Contemporary Furniture

Knú Introduces New Designs at NeoCon 2009 Chicago World's Trade Fair

2009-06-12T06:27:00.001-07:00

West Michigan’s Knú Introduces New Chair, Desk and File Designs at NeoCon 2009

ZEELAND, MI – June 15, 2009 – Knú LLC will introduce additions to its line of eco-friendly contemporary office and residential furnishings during the NeoCon 2009 World Trade Fair in Chicago, June 15 through June 17th. This is the first time that Knú will be showing at NeoCon.

Knú is a subsidiary of Industrial Woodworking Corporation (IWC) headquartered in Zeeland, Michigan. IWC has specialized in doing things right for the office and healthcare industries for the past 14 years, focusing on quick turn around and custom projects.

Capitalizing on his company’s strength in lean, green manufacturing and his own design background, CEO Brad Davis spent several years developing the Knú line. Knú’s stunning lines incorporate graceful curves and unique veneer choices. Davis has dubbed the pieces “inanimate motion in crisp, sustainable form.”

Currently the Knú office line has four desks, a bookcase, lateral file, entertainment center and privacy screen. Each of these highly practical and incredibly strong pieces is available in 6 unique eco-friendly veneer choices: ash, cherry, ebony, maple, walnut or wenge.

In addition, there are several deliciously appealing dining, conference and occasional tables, available with either powder-coated steel or highly-polished aluminum legs. Knú also offers glass and aluminum occasional tables, all designed by Davis.

New designs being unveiled at NeoCon

The Ann Chair, created by Davis for his wife Ann, is a striking example of this year’s additions to the line. Twelve individual cushions attach to veneered, bent plywood that sits atop a gorgeous stainless steel frame.

“I wanted to make certain that every aspect of the chair was unique,” said Davis, “this is an iconic piece that truly really shows our company’s engineering and manufacturing expertise.”

A leather version of the Ann Chair can be seen at Knu’s booth at NeoCon, but the cushion fabric can be varied to meet customer’s specifications. Knú is offering a variety of eco-friendly veneer finishes for the bent wood.

Also being introduced at Neocon is Davis’ newest desk design, intended as an affordable eco-friendly alternative for smaller spaces. Topped with Formica Green-Guard laminate with wood edges finished with beeswax, the desk draws immediate attention to its powder-coated steel wire base. Viewed from any angle the base offers a lesson in geometry, defining an intricate complexity of triangles, trapezoids and parallelograms.

“We have always put a lot of effort into making our pieces as strong as possible while making wise material choices so that we are as environmentally friendly as possible,” said Davis, “but green furniture is often out of range of the average person. What I really wanted to do with this desk was make a piece of sustainable furniture that anyone can afford.”

Knú is also launching a set of mobile lateral files and mobile drawer peds to complement its existing desks. Available in various sizes, and built to last of Baltic birch, these file storage cabinets roll easily even when filled with documents. The files feature full-extension slides for smooth operation and ease of access. Lower-priced painted versions are also available.

Two of Knú’s bestselling desks, Knú Desk #2 – “the cubby desk” and Knú Desk #4 – “the jump desk” – will also be on display during the show.

High res, 300dpi images of some of the Knú products being displayed at NeoCon 2009 are available at www.getknu.com/neocon.

PRODUCT NEWS: THE RED BALL ROCKER IS BACK!

2009-04-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

Knu is re-introducing the Red Ball Rocker, originally created by toy designer Gloria Caranica in 1965. The "Rocking Beauty" was introduced by Creative Playthings in Princeton, NJ as the Creative Playthings Hobby Horse.

The legendary Red Ball is now available for purchase on our site at www.getknu.com/RedBallRocker.html, but if you're a retailer who wants them for your showroom please let us know by writing customerservice@getknu.com.

E-tailers, please request images for your website immediately by emailing customerservice@getknu.com. Let your customers know the Reb Ball Rocker is back, and get ready to upload images and product info to your sites.

DESIGN NEWS: Knu Desk 2 now available in white!

2009-01-27T09:57:00.000-08:00

Our bestselling Knu Desk 2 - what we lovingly refer to as "the cubby" - is now available in white with chocolate brown accents. It's the same great desk, but painted instead of with our usual wood veneers. Even better, the price is only $699.00.

Now available at GetKnu.com.

This desks meets California's stringent new indoor air quality regulations. It's finished with a tough, long-lasting, low-VOC paint and the legs contain approximately 40% recycled steel content and have been powder coated for durability. The handy drawer is made of a tough injection molded recyclable plastic. Manufactured in a carbon neutral facility in Michigan by folks who care about cool modern design.

Eden Environments: Grand Rapids' New Sustainable Design Center

2008-09-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

Adding to the growing number of Knu retailers, this past week Eden Environments celebrated it's grand opening on 28th Street SE in Grand Rapids. It was catered affair with delicious snacks and a beautiful cake with the EE logo on top!

Eden Environments has a great location in the Dezign One Plaza. The store is easy to find and easy to park. Owner Denise Hopkins is displaying five Knu furniture pieces in her new showroom.

Knu is proud to be a part of Eden Environments line-up of products. We look forward to a long and healthy partnership with Denise!

Green Buildings and Green Furniture

2008-05-31T13:08:00.000-07:00

The Riverhouse is a new 31 story, 264-unit condominium complex at One Rockefeller Park that beckons new owners with gorgeous views of New York City’s Rockefeller Park and the Hudson River. It has acquired LEED Gold status. Not long ago, Knú was offered the opportunity to furnish a model home office in the new Riverhouse tower. We leaped at the chance to be involved and work in cooperation with Vivavi Sustainable Furniture, a retailer of fine eco-friendly furnishings in Brooklyn.

After all, LEED certified buildings should be filled with sustainably manufactured, eco-friendly furniture.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, establishes solid benchmarks for green buildings in terms of water and energy use, materials selection and indoor air quality. We are proud to play a part in this project and recognize that the development and construction of new LEED certified buildings - and the renovation of existing buildings to meet LEED requirements - will have dramatic effects with the potential to significantly reduce the impacts of climate change.

Riverhouse’s large rooftop photovoltaic array, geothermal heating and cooling, responsibly harvested wood products, water saving fixtures, micro wind turbines and storm water runoff captured for use on the green roof gardens are just a few of the features that have qualified it for one of the highest LEED ratings in New York. There are only 3 other existing Gold-rated buildings in the city.

Here in Michigan, there are currently 37 LEED certified buildings and the majority of those are right in our backyard in West Michigan. Nine of these buildings have achieved Gold status and seven are LEED Silver status. The new Grand Rapids Art Museum, shown here, is the world's first LEED Gold-certified museum.

But West Michigan not only leads the way in LEED construction, but also in sustainably manufactured office and home furnishings.

Everyone knows that Grand Rapids is the “furniture city.” Over a century of furniture manufacturing in Grand Rapids and its suburbs has created an abundant wealth of craftsmanship and design skill. But a new vision of the furniture industry is evolving here right now, and many local furniture manufacturers are taking advantage of the available skills to create eco-friendly products that are built to last without using toxic chemicals, without creating indoor air pollution and without destroying forests.

Knú and the growing number of forward thinking furniture manufacturers in West Michigan are leading the way toward a brighter, more sustainable future for the home and office furnishings industry. It only takes a quick Google search for “sustainable furniture” to see the surprising number of companies that are stepping forward to create better living and working environments.

Can your choice of furniture save the planet? Maybe not, but you can significantly reduce your exposure to dangerous chemicals, reduce your impact on forests, and surround yourself with new styles and textures by choosing green furnishings that are built to last. And certainly as we build more LEED-certified buildings, we must wisely choose the products that go into them.

The future is clear, green buildings and green furniture will grow together.

UPCOMING EVENT: Knu/IWC CEO speaks at sustainable manufacturing conference

2008-05-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

Embracing a Green Future: A Conference for Manufacturers
Date: June 24th and 25th, 2008
Time: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Location: Grand Valley State University Eberhard Center, Grand Rapids, Michigan

A two-day conference for manufacturers that will teach specific sustainable business practices to achieve triple-bottom-line results.

Knu designer and Industrial Woodworking Corporation CEO, Brad Davis will speak and lead discussions on sustainable product design.

Keynote presentations by:

Brian Walker, President/CEO, Herman Miller, Inc.

Fred Keller, Chairman and CEO, Cascade Engineering

Dan Radomski, Vice President, Industry Services, NextEnergy

Click here to register or learn more about the conference.

UPCOMING EVENT: Knú Exhibiting at the Chicago Green Festival

2008-05-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

Show Hours:
Saturday 10AM- 8PM
Sunday 11AM- 6PM

Venue and Address:
Navy Pier
600 E Grand Avenue, Chicago

Celebrating what works, Green Festival showcases more than 350 diverse local and national green businesses displaying and selling eco-friendly, fair trade and sustainable products. Annie's Mac&Cheese, Dr. Bronner's soap, Utne Reader, NOLS will be there, and lots, lots more.

Add to that more than 150 visionary speakers will appear for standing-room-only panel discussions, presentations and main stage speaking events. Look for Amy Goodman at noon on Saturday and Winona LaDuke at noon Sunday, to name just a few.

With more than a dozen speakers covering topics such as permaculture and sustainable architecture, the Green Home Pavilion will be one of the top places to be during the festival. Look for the Knú booth directly in front of the Green Home Pavilion. We'll be the big guys in grey shirts with the funky green Knú logo on them, can't miss us.

Click here to find the Chicago Green Festival speakers list and schedule.

Also at the festival, you'll enjoy great how-to workshops, green films, a fair trade pavilion, yoga and movement classes, kids’ zone, delicious organic beer, wine and cuisine, and live music. Look for the Knú guys in the grey shirts at the organic beer tent as well. We won't be selling anything there, just enjoying the day.

To learn more about the Chicago Green Festival, check out their site at www.greenfestivals.org .

UPCOMING EVENT: Look for Knú Desk 4 at the Armory Show in New York City

2008-03-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

Over 50,000 attendees are expected for the Armory Show in New York City this week. Over 150 international galleries will be exhibiting new works during the four day event, which will be held on Pier 94 from March 27th to 30th.

Knu Desk #4 will make an appearance at the The Armory Show courtesy of Josh Dorfman of the Lazy Environmentalist radio show and the Vivavi Sustainable Furniture Showroom in Brooklyn. You'll be able to see Knu Desk #4 in the ARTFORUM Lounge area furnished by Vivavi. ARTFORUM Magazine staff will be using the Knú piece to sign up new subscribers.

The Armory Show -The International Fair of New Art - is the world's leading art fair devoted exclusively to contemporary art. This is the 10th anniversary and this year's exhibition includes many of the most important contemporary dealers showcasing new art from around the world.

New York is home to more collectors, galleries, critics and artists than any other city in the world. During The Armory Show, they are joined by many thousands of their peers from around the globe making New York the true center of the international art world.

The Armory Show is the successor to the Gramercy International Art Fairs that attracted thousands to their New York, Los Angeles and Miami between 1994 and 1998. The Armory Show was first presented in February 1999 at the 69th Regiment Armory, the very site of the now legendary Armory Show of 1913 that introduced modern art to America and for which The Armory Show is named.

Click here to see green furniture designs from last year’s ARTFORUM public lounge on the Lazy Environmentalist blog.

Location, Dates and Times:

Pier 94
Twelfth Avenue at 55th Street
New York City

Opening Hours:
Thursday, March 27 - Saturday, March 29 Noon to 8 pm
Sunday, March 30 Noon to 7 pm

NEW DESIGN: The Knú Chimera Dining Table and Chairs, classy contemporary with polished aluminum legs

2008-03-12T05:56:00.000-07:00

We are constantly rethinking and improving our designs here at Knú, and the perfect example of this is the stunning curves of the Knú dining chairs. With remarkably shaped aluminum legs that are polished to a mirror finish, these chairs are comfortable pieces of sculpture that will improve the ambiance of any modern home or office space. Their presence invokes movement and forward momentum, reminding your clients or guests that they are certainly not sitting in any ordinary space, but that they have arrived in a place where class and style speak first. Available on our website at www.getknu.com. Chairs are sold individually.

Click image to enlarge.

The U.S. is Going Green, here are the numbers

2008-03-04T05:56:00.000-08:00

It's almost impossible to measure the effects of the green movement in the United States, but various statistics point to a rising environmental consciousness.

40% of respondents to a national poll said they feel they are more environmentally aware this year than in 2006. 81% said green issues are here to stay.

In business, 72 of the country's 100 largest companies issued reports on social and environmental responsibility last year, up from 45 in 2004.

40 million baby boomers – more than half of that generation – buy products they consider to be environmentally friendly.

Estimated sales of organic foods in the United States last year reached $17.8 billion, more than double the figure for 2002.

5,423 new buildings nationwide were registered as green last year, about twice as many as in 2005.

1,909 college campuses, other schools and civic groups participated in Focus the Nation, the first national teach-in about climate change, in January 2008.

798 mayors across the country have signed the Climate Protection Agreement, part of a city-by-city effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In the furniture industry, over 200 manufacturers and retailers have joined the Sustainable Furniture Council in the past two years.

SOURCES: Insight Research Group; Greener World Media; study for AARP conducted by Focalyst; U.S. Department of Agriculture; Focus the Nation; U.S. Conference of Mayors

DESIGN NEWS: Knú Desk #2, a cool contemporary home office desk

2008-02-20T06:30:00.000-08:00

Knú Desk #2 is a compact, well-conceived workstation with perfectly-sized storage cubbies; one for envelopes, one with a wire management grommet inside to store your laptop (up to 17"), and two more that can easily hold file folders, paper or CD's. On top is a shelf large enough for a phone, large monitor and a printer!

As with all our products, Knú Desk #2 made of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood whenever possible and is available in six different eco-friendly veneer choices. It is finished with an extremely tough environmentally-friendly catalyzed varnish.

The dimensions are 35" deep x 48" wide x 29" tall. Knú Desk #2 is very easy to assemble, simply pull it out of the box and attach the legs with 16 machine screws and Allen wrench (all included). There are six veneer choices available: ash, cherry, ebony, maple, walnut and wenge; shown here in ash (light) and wenge (dark).

The legs of this desk are tubular steel, powder-coated with an aluminum finish. Each leg has a nickel plated leveler to keep your desk steady.

Also comes with a handy pencil drawer made from black recyclable injection molded plastic and steel ball bearing drawer slides.

Get Yours Now!

Knu Desk #3, for the green contemporary home office

2008-02-19T12:11:00.000-08:00

Available now at www.getknu.com
Click to see larger images.

DESIGN NEWS: Knú offers eco-friendly home office furniture storage choices: lateral files, bookcases and entertainment centers

2008-02-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

The great thing about choosing a Knú desk is that you also have the choice of office furniture accessories to accompany it! Knú offers convenient storage solutions available in the same 6 eco-friendly veneer choices as all of our desks. All Knú furniture is built to last and built in the USA.

The Knú Lateral File and Entertainment Center can be manufactured in your choice of ash, cherry, ebony, maple, walnut or wenge (shown below in ebony). Our engineered veneers are produced from sustainably harvested poplar plantations and are dyed to mimic rainforest species.

The legs of these pieces match the legs of Knú Desks 1, 2 and 3 and contain an average of 40% post-consumer waste recycled steel. Build a green home office now in the style and color you choose!

DESIGN NEWS: Knú Desk #4: An eco-friendly, contemporary wood desk with brushed stainless steel legs

2008-02-19T06:43:00.000-08:00

We originally called Knú Desk #4 the "Jump Desk", simply because it looks like it about to leap into the air. Designer Brad Davis created this piece to invoke a feeling of forward momentum, and he succeeded. Several interior designers have commented that Knú Desk #4 appears to be running in place.

With a MSRP of $1,379, this has become our bestselling piece. Folks across the country are snatching them up. Get one for yourself on our website at www.getknu.com

Desk #4 was DWELL MAGAZINE'S PRODUCT OF THE DAY.

Knú Desk #4 looks great with a Herman Miller Aeron task chair.

NEW DESIGN: The Knú Aluminum Coffee Table

2008-02-18T07:20:00.000-08:00

Made from completely reusable and recyclable materials, the Knú Aluminum Coffee Table enhances our continually growing line of contemporary home furnishings.

The table base, although it looks like chrome, is actually a highly polished billet-cut aluminum. There are no toxic finishes, this base was buffed by hand.

Available now at www.getknu.com. MSRP: $2,175 plus shipping and handling.

GREEN DESIGN NEWS: Eco-Friendly Children's Furniture from Knú

2008-02-18T06:57:00.000-08:00

Knú has created the ideal place to color in your coloring book, build a puzzle or play with your Legos.

Knú introduced it's new Kid's Table and Chairs at the Las Vegas Market Living Green Pavillion 2 weeks ago. We received a great response from retailers and interior design professionals. Here's a few photos of the set, is available now atwww.getknu.com.

What makes it green? We're using FSC-certified Baltic birch, the steel legs contain an average of 40% recycled content, the wood is dyed with an array of brillantly hued lead-free dyes, and the finish is a low-VOC catalyzed varnish that is easy to clean.

As with all Knú furniture, strength and longevity are major considerations. The chairs of this set easily support the weight of our 275lb marketing director (he's a big, big fella). The table is beefy and strong, using the same legs as the majority of our desks and other office furniture designs. Rounded edges and rigid stability ensure a safe place to play.

KNU IN THE NEWS: Exhibitors pleased with Living Green exhibit

2008-02-08T09:20:00.000-08:00

Larger, more visible venue in Vegas draws attention
Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, 1/30/2008 8:12:00 AM

LAS VEGAS – John Byfield, president of Zola Eco-Friendly Furnishings, headed into his showing at the Living Green exhibit here at market with a little extra momentum: a large pre-order just before the show from a customer he’d seen last year.

Add to that satisfactory first day order-writing – most orders in July were placed after the show – and more space – this year’s show features about 14,000 square feet of product, compared to 6,000 in 2007 – and the result has been a very good market so far for the higher-end furniture manufacturer.

"It's stronger business out of the gate," Byfield said.

Those in the Living Green exhibit most certainly couldn't complain about the space. The exhibit is prominently featured near the front entrance of the MGM Grand Pavilion, while last year’s exhibit was tucked near the back of the Sands Expo Convention Center.

"So far so good. People are writing orders," said Tim Loveday of Channel Logic, which negotiates the exhibit's contract with the World Market Center. This year, 27 companies exhibited in the space. He said he's also received phone calls from other national and international shows that are interested in creating similar exhibits.

Zola's Byfield said that this year he's noticing that shoppers are asking a very important question: What are your credentials?

And he has a ready response.

"We talk about how the company operates, we purchase renewable power, we use all FSC-certified woods, low VOC stains and finishes, true organic cotton and 100% natural latex," Byfield said.

Much of his traffic thus far has been from specialty retailers focused on eco-friendly offerings.

"We have a very targeted audience," Byfield said. "If people are making the effort to come over here to the green pavilion, they have in mind a kind of product they’re looking for. Or someone asked them about it. Or they realize it’s coming," Byfield said.

Others, like Bradford Davis, president and CEO of office and occasional producer Knu, said he's using this show to see if he can find the right retail partnerships to expand significantly into residential home furnishings. Currently, the company sells about $9 million annually in contract furnishings.

"We went to a San Francisco show and it wasn't great. We did more interesting business here in two hours than in two days there," Davis said.

Knu has received a strong response to its designs here this week, Davis said. But to make the move into residential worthwhile, the company will have to line up some stores that are capable of moving significant volume.

"Onesee and twosees are a tough road to hoe," Davis said.

Davis said Knu’s credentials include offsetting its carbon footprint 100%; using hazardous air pollutant compliant, low VOC finishes; and sourcing wood primarily from FSC-certified vendors. Many of its products contain an average of 40% recycled steel and highly polished aluminum on the legs, and the company gets most of its supplies from within a 50-mile radius of the factory.

All in all, he said he's pretty satisfied with the response Knu has received at market.

"Are we writing a lot of orders? No. Are we meeting some people? Yes. This is a foray into uncharted waters," Davis said.

UPCOMING EVENT: January Las Vegas Market Presents Sustainable Products, Programming and even Parties

2008-01-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

Sustainable furnishings and functions will dominate the Winter 2008 Las Vegas Market, scheduled for January 28 - February 1, 2008 at World Market Center and the MGM Grand. Knu will be there with a large part of our new contemporary line. Look for the bold Knu logo, you can't miss it!

This Winter Market is World Market Center’s most aggressive and environmentally effective programming to date, said Dana Andrew, vice president of marketing and public relations. “Green is no longer new to our industry, it is an expectation that is growing in importance and has moved into mainstream America. We’ve reached a tipping point, and as a market leader it is our responsibility to offer programming and showcase innovative products in this area.”

The semi-annual Las Vegas Markets provide World Market Center the opportunity to present forward-thinking green philosophies and education. Whether someone wants to know about sourcing FSC wood, eco-friendly bedding trends, or marketing sustainable product profitably, educational opportunities are available in Las Vegas.

Following opening day at World Market Center and the adjacent Pavilions on January 28, the temporary show exhibits will open at the already green MGM Grand starting Tuesday, January 29. Las Vegas Market has teamed up with Sustainable Furniture Council and the Design Green Alliance to co-produce the Living Green Pavilion, where Knu will be located in booth M6321. This specialty pavilion centers on sustainable furnishings or furniture using wood, cushioning, fabrics and finishing materials that are made from renewable resources. The Living Green Pavilion has tripled in size since its debut last July.

The Design Green Alliance Tea Garden will be open throughout the Market at the center stage in the MGM Grand Pavilion. Complimentary organic teas will be served to all attendees in the tented tea garden lounge. The Global Convergence Cocktail Reception at MGM Grand is expected to be another attraction during Market.

Programming and seminars will also have an environmentally responsible edge during the Winter Market, with many of the Market’s educational programming covering issues related to sustainability. On Wednesday, January 30 at 1:00 pm in Room M-201, key members of The Sustainable Furniture Council and the American Home Furnishings Alliance will discuss their mutual commitment to promoting sustainable practices. They’ll detail the various avenues open to industry members committed to walking the path of sustainability during Sustainability in our Industry: A panel discussion.”

Other initiatives and programs planned at January Las Vegas Market to highlight the growing importance of sustainability:

· The Brave New World Environmental Leadership Education Series will introduce Market attendees to some of the best practices covering all aspects of the industry. The seminar lineup will include Going Green: The 10-Step Program, The Greening of America: What It Means to You.

· How to Effectively Purchase FSC Wood features a panel discussion followed by a Q&A on the best practices for procuring Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood. Topics also include practical information on where to get the best help and how the Mixed Source Rule makes it easier. Hear from The Rainforest Alliance’s Rick Hilton, who is a respected international expert on global sourcing for wood, and others. Hilton provides consulting to Fortune 500 companies on responsible furniture procurement.

· Listen up as Buddhist monk-turned-world-traveler turned-designer Tucker Robbins presents the design community with an update on his current “Green Project.” Robbins is turning a decommissioned high school in Virginia into a “green factory” for his designs, complete with a green restaurant. His client roster includes Barneys, Donna Karan, the Gensler Group, Ian Schrager Hotels, Le Parker Meridien and Mandalay Bay.

· Closing out Market Week, the monthly “First Friday” seminar series in Building B will feature Michael Maury of Gettys Architecture and Design who will discuss the future of the hospitality design industry. He’ll forecast future trends, such as the universal adoption of LEED standards.

Programming will take place at World Market Center’s World Forum, MGM Grand (home of the Living Green Pavilion) as well as the WHFA Retailer Resource Center throughout Market week. All seminars are free. The Sustainable Furniture Council will also meet in Las Vegas at 4:00pm on January 29th, and guests are welcome.

For more details and a complete list of all seminars, meetings and special events, including dates and times, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.

KNU IN THE NEWS: An Interview with IWC/Knú CEO Brad Davis

2007-12-12T11:31:00.001-08:00

What's Knú
Monday, December 10, 2007 - MiBiz
By Joe Boomgaard | MiBiz

ZEELAND — Sustainability is more than a passion for Industrial Woodworking Corp. (IWC) CEO Brad Davis. It’s a way of doing business that has allowed him to prove to his high school guidance counselor that he could do more in life than pump gas.

After manufacturing office furniture and hospital patient room furniture for more than 12 years for the recognizable names in the business, IWC has launched Knú, its own contemporary line of eco-friendly home desks, tables, shelving and storage, a line of products Davis sees as "inanimate motion in crisp, sustainable form."

"We started doing a lot of product development for folks – and we were very good at it – so I said, ‘Why don’t we start doing this ourselves?’" said Davis, who sketched out product designs over 18 months before coming up with the final line of 14 Knú products.

Davis made a prototype of one of the Knú desks for his office and people who saw it encouraged him to start selling it. Gradually, he developed the Knú line and is now to the point where he’s secured a few dealers and has begun marketing the product while still serving the office and healthcare furniture industry.

"It’s taken off slow, but I’m OK with that," Davis said, estimating that the Knú might take three years to get going. "We’ll take it nice and measured and see where it takes us. It’s nothing that we have to set the world on fire with right away, but I think that’s a good thing. You can afford to be slow and thoughtful. We’ll get the sales; let’s just do it right."

Davis exudes enthusiasm for green manufacturing and reducing the company’s environmental impact as much as possible.

The veneers for Knú are made with a very fast maturing poplar grown in tree farms in Italy and dyed with environmentally friendly dyes in several different finishes, including one that’s a dead-ringer for Madagascar ebony but "doesn’t damage any rainforest." IWC uses Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified cores whenever possible, but the products are limited in their availability. To offset the use of non-FSC products, IWC collaborated with the National Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree in fire-ravaged or otherwise devastated public forestlands for every piece of Knú furniture the company sells.

IWC was also one of the original members of the Sustainable Furniture Council, a nonprofit industry association founded to promote sustainable practices among manufacturers, retailers and consumers.

Davis ensures that materials are optimized to reduce waste to a minimum and that everything used in the plant that can be recycled is recycled or reused in some other way. Oftentimes, he said he gets the ideas from his employees.

"Since our inception, we’ve been very interested in preserving resources and recycling, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also I think it ends up saving you money. I think it turns you onto thinking about everything (from the standpoint of sustainability)," Davis said. "It’ll come back to us in real dollars."

IWC’s recently expanded facility features an energy-efficient infrared finishing oven and lighting and recycled heat from some of the company’s tools. Finishes are applied using waterborne low-emissions processes, and the company uses more efficient water-based rather than oil-based presses for applying veneers to cut down on energy consumption.

Knú is also sold exclusively online, eliminating the energy and waste used to produce and distribute catalogs.

Nearly all of the company’s suppliers are within 50 miles of its Zeeland facility, and IWC ships Knú products directly to purchasers to reduce emissions as much as possible. The company also achieved status as 100 percent carbon neutral by purchasing enough wind power credits to offset its 389 metric tons of carbon emissions.

"Maybe it does cost you some more, but you’re going to drive alternative energies," Davis said. "Our government hasn’t done jack. It’s consumers demanding alternative energies and wanting to leave our kids a better place than what we received. Governments don’t do anything but muck up the waters and tax us to death and start ignorant wars as far as I’m concerned."

Davis said going the extra mile for sustainability just makes sense for him and for the company. He wouldn’t do business any other way.

"What else is there to do? I guess if you’re into boats and stuff like that, you could spend money like it’s going out of style," Davis said. "But is that really all that fun to own more crap? I don’t think it is, really. I think it’s more fun to do things and make a change. I think we run a different company than a lot of companies and it shows in our numbers, in our on-time deliveries and our people."

Davis came to West Michigan at the urging of his mother to attend Hope College after living in the New York City area as a child. At Hope he met future business partner Greg Raczok, now the vice president of IWC.

IWC grew 48 percent last year and continues to be at the top of the list for product quality and order reliability.

"We’re 100 percent on-time and 100 percent no rejects," he said. "Show me another supplier out there that can do that."

That’s not bad for a guy who’s guidance counselor told his mother that he would never do anything but pump gas, he said.

"When we started, we thought maybe in six years we’d have four or five employees and we’d be making some kitchens," he said. "You never think it’s going to go where it’s gone."

Please read the following information if you are interested in publishing a MiBiz article on your Web site. The following verbage must be included on your site with the article:

COPYRIGHT 2007. MIBIZ.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

This article appeared in the Monday, December 10, 2007 issue of MiBiz, read by upper management executives in West and Southwest Michigan. Print subscriptions are free to qualified individuals who are employed in West and Southwest Michigan. For further information about MiBiz, visit www.mibiz.com.

NEW DESIGN: Knú Glass and Aluminum Dining Table: Available only at www.getknu.com

2007-11-30T11:14:00.000-08:00

Highly polished, billet-cut aluminum base with a 48" round, 1/2" thick glass top. Available now at www.getknu.com. Seats four comfortably.

MSRP: $2,175

To see more Knú tables, please visit our site at www.getknu.com

KNU IN THE NEWS: Knú in Interior Design Magazine

2007-11-05T10:03:00.000-08:00

You can find Knú in the October 2007 issue of Interior Design magazine in the Market section, along with dozens of other quality eco-friendly products.

UPCOMING EVENT: Knú Supports Clean Water Action

2007-10-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

You'll be able to see Knú furniture first hand at Clean Water Action's 2007 Great Lakes Awards Celebration. Knú is donating furniture that will be auctioned at the event. Funds raised will assist CWA in raising awareness of water quality issues in the Great Lakes.

When: Wednesday, October 10, 2007, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Where: Scene Metrospace, 110 Charles St., East Lansing
Honorees: Tribal Chairman Frank Ettawageshik, Terry Swier the director of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation and Ingham County Drain Commissioner Pat Lindemann.

We hope to see you there! Stop by and meet with Knú staff, and join us in supporting a cause that matters to us all. Clean water for Michigan!

Knu: what it means to be sustainable

2007-09-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Check out our new video to learn more about what it takes to design and build beautiful, sustainable furniture.

If you like what you see, jump over to our site at www.getknu.com

Knú Joins the Sustainable Furniture Council

2007-09-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

The Sustainable Furniture Council is a non-profit industry association committed to promoting sustainable practices within the home furnishings business. Sustainable practices are those that create a healthy balance between the environment, local economy and social equity.

The immediate goals of this new organization are to raise awareness of the sustainability issue, to assist companies in adopting good practices, to serve as an information clearing house, and to create a symbol of assurance for consumers.

Knú staff have already begun to dedicate time and resources toward meeting these goals. We know full well that moving our society and our industry toward a sustainable future is a monstrous task that will take the work of an entire generation.

Materials, production, shipping methods and sales practices must all be changed throughout the furniture industry. We are working tirelessly to create a company that re-thinks the way things work from the ground up. This is certainly no small task, but with each piece of furniture we sell we will make a difference.

Carbon Neutral Furniture Manufacturing

2007-08-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be carbon neutral?

At Knú, we offset 100% of our carbon emissions by purchasing renewable energy certificates and supporting renewable energy development. All of our furniture, such as the beautiful and incredibly functional Knú Desk #2 pictured here, is built in a carbon neutral manufacturing plant.

Carbon offsetting is the act of reducing an equal amount of carbon somewhere else to counter-balance the carbon emissions from energy-using activities, or a "carbon footprint." A carbon footprint includes anything that can be considered to use energy from fossil fuels, such as lights, heat, gas, and running any kind of machinery.

Carbon offsets enable anyone to reduce their footprint by supporting projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions to balance out one's own carbon footprint. If you choose to offset your entire carbon footprint, that is called being "carbon neutral."

Knu is carbon neutral. We offset all carbon emitting forms of energy. All electricity, natural gas, air travel and vehicle use is offset using Green-e certified renewable energy certificates and though our support of renewable energy education programs in support of Carbonfund.org's CarbonFree program.

CarbonFund.org is the leading carbon offset organization in the United States. Hundreds of other companies partner with CarbonFund.org, and also some very prestigious universities like Stanford, Tufts, Fordham and the University of Michigan.

You can learn more about Knú's progress toward sustainability when you visit our Environmental Commitment page.

Click here to find out more about the CarbonFund.org CarbonFree program.