July 1, 2004

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that Haworth Incorporated-Allegan Seating in Allegan has earned the Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen designation. Haworth Inc. has been manufacturing office furniture products and components in Michigan since 1948.

The Haworth-Allegan Seating facility becomes the 102nd to earn the honor and the second in Allegan County. The facility employs 175 to 250 associates in the manufacture of office seating products. Production operations at the Allegan plant include welding and fabrication, powder painting, and assembly.

Sister facilities Haworth-Douglas Operations in Douglas and Haworth-Ludington Components in Ludington earned Clean Corporate Citizen designation in February 2004.

“I am pleased to recognize the Allegan plant for their long-standing commitment to environmental excellence and pollution prevention,” Governor Granholm said. “The entire team at Haworth-Allegan Seating can take great pride in their environmental accomplishments. This same commitment to responsible, sustainable operation extends throughout the Haworth family of facilities.”

“Blending environmental practices into our business has always been a priority at Haworth; we are proud of our Allegan members and their consistent efforts in this area. It is an honor that the state has now recognized three of our facilities with the Clean Corporate Citizen designation,” said Dennis Bowles, Haworth’s Director of Global Facilities.

Haworth-Allegan Seating’s active recycling programs keep scrap steel, aluminum, light bulbs, batteries, waste oil and coolant, cardboard, paper, fabric, barrels, computer components, and plastic components from being landfilled. To support corporate air pollution prevention goals, the facility also operates a 100 percent solvent-free powder painting process. All gluing operations have converted from solvent glues to 100 percent water-based glues.

To qualify for a Clean Corporate Citizen designation, candidates must adopt a facility-specific environmental management system, active pollution prevention initiatives, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements. Designations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Haworth-Allegan Seating earned International Standards Organization 14001 certification in 2000, meeting the voluntary international standard for environmental management systems. The facility also participates in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s voluntary “Waste Wise” program, which requires participants to establish written waste-reduction goals, and monitor and report measured progress.

Haworth, Inc. has voluntarily joined the DEQ as a corporate partner in the Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership, according to DEQ Director Steven Chester.

“Haworth-Allegan should be proud of the excellent job they’ve done in reducing wastes and eliminating potentially toxic substances from their manufacturing process,” said DEQ Director Chester. I applaud Haworth’s environmental ethic and voluntary involvement in local and state pollution prevention initiatives.”

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised July 1, 2004 by Pat Watson