Contact: Judy Whitefield
Phone: 06 357 1224
Email: judy@blanchetts.com
Website: www.blanchetts.com
Summary
Blanchetts is a NZ manufacturing company making top end upholstered furniture also with a growing focus on restoration of upholstered furniture and Interior Design. We are currently completing the Manawatu Sustainable Business Programme. We have integrated sustainable practice throughout our company. We use FSC timbers for our frames and support suppliers who follow a sustainable pathway for their business.
We are a team of four who are passionate about our product, the way it is made and the future of our business, our nation and our world.
Segregated our rubbish reducing waste to landfill.
Recycle foam back to producer who makes a new product called bonded foam that is used in seat upholstery. We reuse or recycle in every possible area: fabric off cuts to craft and charity organisations. The longevity of our product translates to less waste to landfill. In the 16 year life of our company very few, if any, of our products have been discarded. Some have been restored and as the piece gets older its long term value increases and so it is likely to be restored and be reused for a long time.
All vehicle use is co-ordinated for best economy. We use a diesel vehicle to reduce fuel consumption. Energy saving bulbs have been installed, and lighting and machinery is turned off when not in use. We are involved in a project to test and monitor power use in our factory over a three month period.
We use very small quantities of chemicals and are investigating safer alternatives and the use of recyclable containers.
Meeting people’s needs
Have a policy for community involvement. Have 1 x project a month to give product as in a restored or new chair to local charity. Have annual project to work with students from local college to train in upholstery skills: restoring a piece of furniture from the beginning to end use. We also have contacts that use our waste fabrics and Tetron for craft and charity purposes.
Staff training and awareness of efficient sustainable practice. Concentration on zero waste makes for more economical daily use of product. Long term life span of our product means less demand on new resources. Focus on building the restoration side of the business reduces the demand on new resources as people reuse rather than replace.
Running efficient systems throughout the business with an integrated sustainable practice programme brings greater profitability as savings are made, both in the short and long term.
Concentrating our marketing on why the sustainable option is the more economical option long term. Selling the message: Blanchetts Lounge Club Events e.g. July 2011 ‘Why the $3000 chair matters”. Having our suppliers who have already begun the journey along the sustainable pathway, as guest speakers.
Effectively selling the restoration option rather than replace with the cheaper new models available.
Effectively encourage an aspirational approach to purchasing. Aspiring to save to acquire a better quality option rather than have it ‘now and discard sooner’ choices.
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