We are so excited about attending this year’s Las Vegas Market, January 30-February 3 at the huge World Market Center. Each year, there are always plenty of new and exciting things to see and do, so even if you have attended in the past, you’ll want to spend time planning out this year’s adventure.
On opening day, make the First Look Exhibit in the Building B lobby one of your first stops. You will be able to pick up a copy of the First Look Book (limited quantities available) and see a showcase of the new product trends to be discovered at the show.
Speaking of trendy, we’re looking forward to the Food Truck Festival, to be held opening day at 6 p.m. in the Grand Plaza. The courtyard will be transformed into a four-wheeled, gourmet food fiesta. There will also be a DJ spinning favorites from the 50s and 60s. Should be a fun evening!
If you prefer something a little more low key, check out high tea, taking place Monday through Thursday in C512 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll enjoy complimentary tea sandwiches, cocktails and a selection of gourmet teas.
First Time Buyers Orientation
If you haven’t attended this event, this special orientation can be extremely helpful. It takes place from on January 30th from 10-11 a.m. in room C368, and is designed to help you maximize your buying time. You’ll get a rundown on all of the resources, destinations, seminars and events happening at the Las Vegas Market.
Seminars and Continuing Education Credits
There are a number of valuable seminars planned. One that sounds intriguing to us is LuxeEco and One Good World: Designing the Future, happening on January 30th from 11 a.m. to noon. This is a panel discussion among the Sustainable Furnishings Council’s distinguished DESIGNINGGreen Leaders, and should be quite informative. It’s also worth 0.1 CEU.
Verified Eco-Friendly Exhibitors
Perusing the list, we found many eco-friendly exhibitors including Artists Guild of America, Jordan Spence Design, Matt Downer Designs and a company called Groovystuff, based in Dallas, that features seven distinct one-of-a-kind collections. You’ll find everything from artwork to bedding and decorative accessories made with materials that are kind to Mother Nature. Of course, be sure to watch for products made with BiOH. Our partners who will be exhibiting at the show include: Broyhill (A1053), Harden (A901), Hickory Springs (B-0918), Klaussner (A847, A801), Comfort Solutions (A538, A542, A546) and Natura (A946).
Buyer Services
We love the Buyer Lounges, located in each building. They are a great place to rendezvous, relax and grab a snack. Each building also has a Business Center where you can connect with your home office via Internet, phone or fax. This is also where you can make copies or send mail. The Internet Lounges in Buildings A and B have WiFi and communications devices available.
Transportation and Concierge Services
The complimentary M Line shuttles run all day between the World Market Center and select host hotels. Once you arrive at the event, convenient skybridges connect all of the buildings. If you want to take in more of the sights and sounds of Las Vegas, there is a Vegas.com computer kiosk concierge in Building A where you can find dining options and even buy show tickets.
One last word of advice: wear comfortable shoes! The World Market Center is a five million square foot campus!
Companies are making it easier than ever for Americans to embrace the concept of sustainability and energy conservation. The selection of products and services has never been greater – and it just keeps expanding!
One of the newest initiatives is Zero Energy America, a project focused on using eco-friendly materials and new building techniques to design Zero Energy Homes. A Zero Energy Home is one in which the net average energy consumption, and carbon dioxide emission, are both zero over the course of a year.
In the U.S. and Europe, our homes account for about 40 percent of the total national energy consumption. But even if an entirely new, energy efficient home is not in your future this year, there’s another way you can become part of the solution. The next time you’re in the market for future, shop for pieces that contribute to a zero-energy lifestyle.
Here is a checklist to help you determine if that furniture you’ve been considering is also good for the environment:
1. Is it made of wood? Ask if the wood is sustainably harvested for domestic, replenished forests. Or, look for reclaimed wood, bamboo or other environmentally safe materials. Products made with Smart Wood certifies that you are supporting a global effort for responsible forest management.
2. Is it made with leather? Ask if the tanning chemicals used are either biodegradable or recycled?
3. Is the furniture upholstered or does it have foam cushions? Look for the green and white hang tag indicating that the foam is made with BiOH® polyols. Traditional foam and carpet cushion ingredients are made from petroleum-based chemicals. BiOH polyols are made from a renewable resource – soybean oil. Manufacturing BiOH polyols requires 60% less non-renewable energy and results in less global warming emissions than manufacturing the petroleum polyols we replace. Additionally, for every one million lbs of BiOH polyols used, over 2200 barrels of crude oil are saved.
4. Where is it made? Furniture made in America cuts energy consumption and emissions associated with transportation.
Smart interior design can also have low environmental impact. From window shades and blinds to floor coverings, there are many products today made with recycled or sustainable materials.
Here are some of our favorite tips to pass along to customers.
• Certified fair-trade goods: Many are produced by independent worker cooperatives. The emphasis is respect for the environment, gender equity and fair working conditions. You might be surprised to see what can be made from recycled phone books!
• Think durability. Products that last a long time means that fewer will wind up in landfills.
• Choose natural fibers for rugs, linens and other textiles. Today there are a wide range of items to complement just about any décor.
• Hunt for recycled merchandise. Take advantage of someone else’s redecorating plans. Perfectly good lamps, vases and other decorative items can frequently be found in Craig’s List, at garage sales, flea markets and in resale and antique stores.
• Adorn your table with beeswax candles. These aren’t just natural, they actually burn cleaner.
• Refresh walls with low-VOC paints. It’s an easy way to avoid breathing toxic fumes.
• Buy local whenever possible. It cuts down on transportation, which means less use of fuel.
• Look for the green and white “Made with BiOH®” hang tag on furniture. This tag says, “ BiOH polyols are soy-based ingredients that replace a portion of the petroleum materials in foam. They have a smaller environmental impact through lower energy use and a smaller carbon footprint while supporting farmers.”
• Use vintage tableware. This is much easier on the environment than paper plates and plastic utensils.
• Decorate with live potted plants. Research shows that healthy, well-maintained plants improve air quality, brighten people’s moods, and may even help to keep your home at an optimal humidity level.
Consumer demand for resource-efficient homes is on the rise. As people remodel, or move into new homes, they also are likely to need furnishings to complete their new space. This is the ideal time to help these environmentally conscious buyers think “eco-friendly” while decorating their homes.
Consider how to complement green home construction
Green builders try to minimize the environmental impact of a home by considering environmental factors as well as resource efficiency. Practical homeowners embrace green construction because it helps them cope with increasing energy prices as well as diminished water resources. For more on talking with customers about living green with BiOH® , see our video.
Indoors, these green homes are designed to have cleaner air – which appeals to health-conscious consumers. Everything from HVAC equipment to formaldehyde-free finishes are taken into consideration. These are all proactive approaches to give the homeowners a kick start on green, sustainable living.
Which woods should you recommend?
• Reclaimed wood: Handcrafted wood has unique character, and is available in everything from floorings to furniture. You may have heard of reclaimed barn wood. The trend now includes teak and other high-end woods. (Similarly, those concerned about the world’s deforestation are avoiding furniture made with species known to be threatened such as new Teak and Mahogany, as well as woods from endangered forests or areas where illegal logging is a problem such as Indonesia, the Philippines and South America. Some woods from these regions are, however, certified sustainable.)
• Renewable wood: Eco-friendly choices for furniture include bamboo, mango, coconut palm, beechwood and cork – most of which are fast growing and easily replenished.
• Recycled products: Some amazing furnishings are also being fashioned from recycled plastic and paper.
• Sustainable fibers: Choices include hemp, soy silk, cotton, corn, bamboo, coconut charcoal, wool and jute.
• Water hyacinth: This plant is invasive in tropical waterways. Because it needs to be cleared, it’s a good choice.
Certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is considered a gold standard for wood sourcing. An international organization, the FSC promotes responsible stewardship of the world’s forests through certificates for forest management and chain of custody administered by third-party auditors.
Avoiding toxic finishes
Many paints, sealers and lacquers contain volatile organic compounds that qualify them to be classified as hazardous waste. Earth-friendly stains and finishes are frequently made with such natural materials as lime, clay, seed oils, citrus-peel extracts and milk proteins. Choose water-based sealers and finishes classified as low VOC (volatile organic compounds). Other good choices include whey-based finishes and natural waxes.
The BiOH impact
BiOH polyols are produced in both the United States and in Brazil to serve our global customer base. Today all of the soybeans we use to produce BiOH polyols for our foam manufacturing customers in the U.S. and Canada are sourced from North America.
For our Brazilian manufacturing facility, soybeans are sourced locally in Brazil. Responsible sourcing is very important to Cargill (that owns the BiOH polyol business.) Cargill works closely with the environmental group, The Nature Conservancy, to help Brazilian farmers learn and apply the best soy production practices while complying with environmental laws. In 2006, Cargill joined other leading Brazilian soy processors and exporters in announcing an agreement designed to curb deforestation in the Amazon due to soy planting.
The centerpiece of the agreement is a pledge not to purchase soy from lands in the Amazon biome that are deforested after July 24, 2006. Cargill is committed to working in partnership with others in the industry, the Brazilian national and local Governments, relevant institutes, local communities and NGOs in the areas in which we are present.
Need an exciting gift idea for someone in your family this holiday season? Think new! Think stylish! Think green! Environmentally friendly furniture and mattresses made with soy-based BiOH® polyols are cutting edge. Just say “no” to boring or predictable gifts! Sustainable furnishings are ideal gift alternatives that say you know how to make smart, informed choices.
There is something comfy and durable for just about everyone on your list, and in just about every price range. They’ll feel happy and indulged for years to come, and you will feel terrific because you’ve also done something good for the planet.
For the sports fanatic. How about a cozy Klaussner recliner? This large lounger with pillow arms reclines three ways for maximum comfort. We like the dark leather that can hide those unavoidable spills when your home team makes a touchdown. Not sure if it’s made with BiOH®? Ask a sales rep or look for the hang tag!
For the bookworm. Here’s a novel idea. Curl up with a good book on this BiOH-infused mattress from HOM sleep express. BiOH® polyol-infused mattresses let you sleep cooler than traditional foam mattresses, and they stay softer at cooler temperatures.
For the snugglers. Memory foam toppers, available at Bed, Bath & Beyond, are made with BiOH® polyols and are resistant to rips and tears. They’ll transform any mattress into one that will provide a cooler, more comfortable sleep.
Still can’t decide? Want even more ideas? Shop from Furnitureland South beginning on Black Friday and throughout December. It has every imaginable type and style of furniture, available for purchase both in the store and online. Just look for the BiOH® tag in The Eco-Link for manufacturers that use BiOH® polyols.
The BiOH® Polyols team extends our congratulations to Sauder Woodworking, which was named the 2011 winner of the home furnishing industry’s prestigious Sage Award for environmental excellence. The award was given last month during the Open Day Press Breakfast at the High Point Market. Other finalists included Crypton Super Fabrics and Leggett &Platt Home Furniture Components. This was the fourth consecutive year that BiOH® polyols has partnered with the AHFA to present the Sage Award winner with a $2,500 donation to any non-profit organization of its choice.
The Sage Award is an opportunity to recognize excellence in the home furnishings and bedding industries through honoring and acknowledging companies who lead in area of:
Reducing their environmental footprint
Expanding their positive social impact
Running a profitable business
The purpose of the Sage Award is to seek out, discover and recognize true industry innovators from whom others can learn. This award is founded on the belief that environmental excellence is an ongoing journey requiring flexibility, insight and constant learning. The annual Award honors businesses that demonstrate a passion for and a sustained commitment to that journey.
North America’s leading producer of ready-to-assemble furniture, Sauder Woodworking, embodies these environmental requirements and many more. Long before “sustainability” was a global concern, Sauder Woodworking’s reuse of scrap material and efficient, RTA shipping was setting a standard for sustainable business practices for the future.
Today the company uses:
Over 95 percent of the wood fiber used to produce the wood components of Sauder furniture comes from post-industrial or post-consumer recycled wood.
All engineered wood components meet or exceed California’s formaldehyde emissions limits.
The composite wood panels used in Sauder furniture use up to 95 percent of the wood resource, compared to an average of 60 to 65 percent that is used when constructing solid wood furniture.
Back panels are constructed using 100 percent post-consumer recycled material.
All coatings and adhesives are either water based or are 100 percent solids. None are solvent based.
Since 2010 alone, the company has invested over $2 million in processes to recover and reuse wood waste; $1.5 million to convert lighting in over 4 million square feet of manufacturing space; and $1.7 million in a system to optimize air flow and reduce energy use.
Finalist, Leggett & Platt Home Furniture Components,has been producing furniture components for over 125 years and sells its engineered components to over 1,500 furniture makers worldwide. All 13 of the company’s Home Furniture Components facilities in six states areimplementing A-H-F-A’s EFEC – “Enhancing Furniture’s Environmental Culture” environmental management system. Since beginning the efforts in 2008, the 13 facilities have realized enormous reductions in energy and water use. They also have reduced the use of raw materials and packaging and minimized waste production. Packaging innovations alone reduced tons of corrugated waste and saved tens of thousands of dollars.
Finalist Crypton Super Fabric is a specially engineered fabric system with an integrated moisture barrier. Unlike applied fabric protection coatings, Crypton’s environmentally friendly, patented process is engineered into the fabric, encapsulating every fiber. The company’s manufacturing facility in Kings Mountain, N.C., leverages best practices and manufacturing technologies to consume less water and energy, emit less pollution and reduce the use of packaging materials. The company also supports the development of the Sustainability Assessment for Commercial Furnishings Fabric.
The competition for this year’s award was challenging. The incredibly talented judges representing furniture and bedding industry leaders, environmental journalists, sustainability experts & the furniture industry business press were:
Sharon Bradley, Executive Director of the Wester Home Furnishings Association
Heather Gadonniex, Environmental Product Declaration program manager of the Underwriters Laboratories
Leslie Guevarra, associate editor for Greener World Media, the online publishing group founded by Joel Makower
Jessica Kellner,Editor in Chief of Natural Home Magazine
Jean Nayer, former editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day Special Interest Magazines and author of “Green Living by Design”
Powell Slaughter, Editor at Home Furnishings Business
Ryan Trainer, President of the International Sleep Products Association
Steve Walker, Assistant Directorof the Furniture Manufacturing and Management Center at North Carolina State University
Criteria for judging is based on three key points; Sustainable Business Practices, Commitment to Social Responsibility and Profitable Growth. We commend all entrants for their dedication to these efforts.
Andy Counts, CEO of AHFA with finalist from Crypton Fabrics and Kelsey Ness, Cargill's BiOH Marketing Specialist
Andy Counts, CEO of AHFA, with 2011 Sage Award Winner Kevin Sauder from Sauder Woodworking and Kelsey Ness, Cargill's BiOH Marketing Specialist
Andy Counts, CEO of AHFA with the Leggett & Platt finalists and Kelsey Ness, Cargill's BiOH Marketing Specialist
Good news! We now have an amazing interactive training video to help you and your employees quickly grasp how to talk with your customers about sustainability and buying green furnishings, including a simple ways to explain the BiOH® polyols difference. It’s a great resource that’s fast and fun to use. After just a few minutes, you and your employees will be sounding like sustainability experts.
Hesitant to try it? Check out this training video testimonial from Furnitureland South’s Cameron Lindsay as he talks about the importance of sales training for sustainable products made with BiOH polyols and how it can increase your sales today!
Try it out! It’s more than just a video. With a few clicks of your mouse, you’ll be immersed in short Q&As, and you’ll also discover how consumers responded to a sustainability and home furnishing survey. Most important: you’ll learn the key messages that will resonate with your customers: comfort, durability and environmentally friendly benefits.
Watching this retail training video could easily differentiate your store from your competition. Most consumers want to buy green home furnishings. They want to do their part for the environment but they need your help finding and choosing the right sustainable products.
As more people become aware of sustainable furniture, it’s important to educate them about their options including the significance and value of foams and mattresses made with BiOH® Polyols. In some cases, you may be the only one who knows about this option! That will make you the subject matter expert and it may be the tipping point that could lead to more sales.
After viewing our new interactive retail training video, you will be ready to help your customers make an informed purchase decision that’s right for them and their families.
If you are a retailer and you carry these furniture brands, contact us about co-branding opportunities. We can provide you with retail resources. Or, ask your manufacturer if they have resources to help you promote BiOH in your store.
BiOH® is excited to announce the launch of our co-branding program with Klaussner Home Furnishing (KHF) at High Point Market Oct 22-27th in High Point, NC!If you are at Market this week, stop into Klaussner’s Showroom & check out the BiOH kiosk to learn more about the Free Online Retail Training and gain more insight into what BiOH can do for you!
Klaussner Home Furnishings made with BiOH Video:
There is a growing trend of furniture manufacturers such as KHF finding ways to distinguish themselves on the eco-friendly scale. “It’s long been evident to us that when retail shoppers are offered the option of a product that is more environmentally friendly, those shoppers will select the more eco-friendly product,” confirmed KHF’s Marketing and Brand Manager Brian Myers. KHF has long been an avid supporter of environmental initiatives, and its continuous actions are evident.
Its sustainability accomplishments include:
Purchasing wood materials from suppliers who are part of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, which has strict standards for replacing harvested trees while protecting wildlife, plants and soil and water quality.
Using recycled steel in its eco-friendly seating system.
Choosing fiber-fill for cushions and pillows that is derived from recycled materials.
Recycling 100 percent of excess packaging, fabric, leather, foam materials—which keeps those materials out of landfills and enables the re-use of products such as foams, which can become carpet padding.
Taking one step further, KHF has decided to fully co-brand with BiOH on its entire domestic upholstery product line featuring cushions that are made with BiOH polyols derived from soy beans. KHF has previously used BiOH Polyols in the foam process, and saw this co-branding as an opportunity to further its commitment to adding more sustainable components to its products. With BiOH, KHF has the capability to differentiate itself in the furniture market through focusing on the emerging eco-friendly consumer niche.
Klaussner is definitely on the right track in boosting its environmental outlook with its BiOH collaboration. According to results of the 2008 Green Marketing Consumer Study sponsored by the Sustainable Furnishing Council surveying 300 female homeowners between ages 30-60, while four percent purchased eco-friendly furnishings, the rest either didn’t know there was an eco-friendly option or said it wasn’t available.
Now, nearly three years later, the furniture market has drastically changed and manufacturers are listening. Consumers are willing to purchase a product that is of long-term benefit at a reasonable cost. They are waiting for manufacturers to deliver a quality product. Klaussner Home Furnishings has listened and has taken actions that will set a leading example for years to come.
Make sure to look for the BiOH® Brand hang tag on your next furniture purchase.
Feeling drowsy this morning? Maybe you need to chill out. Experts agree: cooler temperatures help you sleep deeper and longer. That advice applies not only to room temperature but also to your bedding.
A mild drop in body temperature induces sleep
Mother Nature has put your body on a 24-hour cycle, called the circadian rhythm. Time, light and temperature all factor into how your body clock functions.
Every night, your body temperature automatically lowers by just a couple of degrees, signaling your tissues and organs to become less active. Even a slight increase in external temperatures can become so uncomfortable that it causes you to awaken. The closer you can stay to your body’s natural ‘set point’, the more rested you will feel in the morning.
Sleep experts typically recommend keeping bedroom temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. In reality, you should set your thermostat at whatever temperature comfortably helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.
New BiOH® soy-based polyols help memory foam achieve better temperature regulation
Your mattress is, of course, another part of the sleep equation. Memory foam mattresses are popular because they conform to your body’s shape, giving you maximum support, and helping to prevent tossing and turning
throughout the night. But foam is notorious for absorbing and holding onto body heat. In fact, some memory foams rely on heat to stay soft.
Now there is a way to enjoy the benefits of memory foam mattresses while also sleeping cooler. Studies show memory foams produced with a revolutionary new BiOH® Polyol dissipate heat more quickly, cooling off 15-40 percent faster than memory foams using infused gel technology. Foams made with BiOH® Polyols are also less sensitive to temperature overall, so they stay softer at cooler temperatures.
Concerned about durability? Memory foam toppers with BiOH® Polyols are resistant to rips and tears.
And, as a bonus, initial findings show that these new vegetable-based foams are 51 percent renewable, so you also are helping the environment when you purchase BiOH®-based foams.
The result is a memory foam that provides a cooler, more comfortable sleep. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting new development.
New BiOH foam does not heat up as much.
After eight hours in an oven at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the new BiOH memory foam was not as hot as the gel-infused material.
Posted by Nicole, BiOH Polyols Marketing Manager on August 12, 2011
Sometimes, we need to treat ourselves to a break, especially during summer. After all the hard work you put in at your job, a vacation is definitely well-deserved. So get out your suitcases, sundresses, board shorts, flight tickets, and let’s go! But hold on. Have you given thoughtabout how eco-friendly your vacation spot is for you or your family? Oftentimes we are so focused on the idea of fun and adventure that we forget the potential ecological consequences these grandiose trips can cause. This summer, keep fun and the environment in mind!
Here are some general tips for an eco-friendly vacation:
Pick Driving over Flying: No one wants to drive to their dream destination when a simple one-way plane ticket can be bought. But you’d be surprised on how much driving lessens the ozone damage and carbon footprint we make on our environment. Air travel itself causes 3% of total U.S. carbon emissions! That number is only expected to rise over time as population grows.
Choose an Eco-Friendly Hotel: Many hotels and other resort accommodations have started renovations based on new environmental standards and needs. Some use ‘Energy Star’ or solar power to reduce energy consumption while many others have started recycling programs.
Pick a Single Destination: Not only will this allow you to save money on gas, hotel expenses, and other expenditures, exploring just one destination will allow you to truly explore the depth of the location through learning its culture and mingling with its locals.
Travel Light: This one is pretty self-explanatory. Bring only what you need to bring; instead of buying everything in new plastic travel-size containers, reuse old ones. Also, bring a reusable water bottle! J
Walk or Bike to and from Attractions: Again, doing this will not only save you from spending ridiculous amounts of money on transportation fees, but will also really give you the chance to see the place from a scenic perspective.
If you are really stuck on where to go, here are some wonderful eco-friendly places to explore!
Napa Valley (California): If you want great variety in your travel, this is where it’s at. Napa Valley has seven ‘Regions of the Valley’, with each region containing its own local attractions. The American Canyon, one of the regions, has lots of eco-friendly accommodations, including World’s First Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Certified Hotel called Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa. Its restaurant is very environmentally conscious in its food preparation, using only locally produced food. The hotel itself is made of sustainable designs, including carpets made from recycled materials.
Crystal Mountain and Resort Spa (Michigan): The Midwest has a lot to offer in scenery and chances for a healthy relaxation. The Crystal Spa is the only LEED certified spa in the Midwest and offers many organic products. In addition, there are outdoor programs near the resort, such as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where you can explore the sand dunes that rise 460 feet above Lake Michigan.
Amelia Island Plantation Resort (South Florida): Want some fun in the sun? The resort overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and has been active in its eco-friendly practices since 1971 when it first opened. You can either golf away on a golf course that uses reclaimed water for irrigation, or take a trip down to the nature center to learn about the creatures that dwell around the resort. Amelia’s Wheels is another activity where you can rent bikes or golf carts to the trails.
Highland Lodge (New Hampshire): If you love hiking through the mountains, this is the perfect spot for you. Located in the east, the lodge offers a great deal of hiking trails as well as educational programs where guests can learn the history and making of the trails. It is a part of the Highland Center, where a great deal is made out of recycled steel with natural vegetation in front. Both parents and kids can take “Green Tours” and learn about ecology, rock climbing, how to track animals, etc.
Now you can grab your suitcases and everything else you need for an eco-friendly vacay with family or friends! There are plenty of choices out there to explore, ones that not only offer adventure, but a chance to learn and appreciate the environment that we live in. With that being said, I’m now going to pack my own bags for my own eco summer excursion!
The BiOH experience offers resources for you to learn and participate in helping communities and the environment. It is brought to you by the BiOH polyols business — a maker of soy-based ingredients for foam. Please explore our site and then share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you!
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