Oakworks Sustainability Statement

Since its inception over 40 years ago, OAKWORKS® has maintained a strong commitment to environmental wellness and making products in the US. Our business model relies heavily on ensuring sustainable resources - both natural and workforce-related. We have a proactive plan that addresses both aspects of sustainability to ensure we are doing our part to preserve the health of our planet and the wellbeing of our employees.

Production

OAKWORKS® operates a dry plant that does not produce liquid effluents as a byproduct of manufacturing our products. Factories that produce liquid effluents increase pollution and risk contaminating our streams, rivers, tributaries, and seas, jeopardizing the health and survival of fresh and saltwater ecosystems.

OAKWORKS® uses only water-based finishes in its US factory on all of its products to minimize fumes in the production process and eliminate off-gassing in finished goods

OAKWORKS® recycles scrap aluminum and steel.

OAKWORKS® generates a very low volume of scrap material (such as fabric, foam, and wood) when making tables by using computerized machinery that maximizes utilization. Scrap is used in the production of accessories and smaller items whenever possible.

Products

OAKWORKS® uses 100% polyurethane (PU) fabrics – no polyvinyl chlorides (PVC) in its spa and massage products. When PVC degrades, it generates dioxins whereas PU fabrics do not. PVC is in the process of being banned in the European Union partially for this reason.

OAKWORKS® uses only 100% CFC (chloroflourocarbons) free foams in its products.

OAKWORKS® sources only sustainable hardwoods to manufacture its products, ensuring that wood is procured from managed forest sources.

Early product obsolescence is one of the worst sources of pollution. For this reason, all designs undergo extensive testing to ensure that our products perform well in the conditions they are designed for and last for many years. All designs undergo rigorous life cycle testing before they’re brought to market.

Workforce

OAKWORKS® U.S. manufacturing associates enjoy a clean, safe work environment with access to company sponsored health insurance plans and the extra protection provided by The Occupational Safety and Hazard’s Administration’s (OSHA) regulations. This is not true in other parts of the world commonly used as sources for low cost labor manufacturing.

OAKWORKS® maintains very high air quality throughout its plant so that employees have clean air to breathe. This includes a state of the art particulate dust collection system and spray booths designed to ensure fresh air for operators. Our standards meet or exceed OSHA requirements.

OAKWORKS® has created ergonomic workstations for its production employees that include features such as on demand height changes and rotating work surfaces to minimize reaching, which reduces the risk of injury.

OAKWORKS® uses automated production equipment whenever possible to minimize the physical strain on employees during the manufacturing process and prevent repetitive stress injuries.

OAKWORKS® supports local sheltered workshops for the handicapped by outsourcing work that can be done by these groups.

Initiatives

Parternership with: Trees for the Future

In an effort to stop global warming and in order to reduce our carbon footprint, OAKWORKS® has become a Global Cooling Partner of Trees for the Future, a non-profit organization established in 1988 to help reforest the earth. Trees for the Future has created programs which restore forests on degraded lands, thereby improving the overall quality of life of indigenous people in developing countries. Not only do we plant a tree for every table sold, but as part of our sponsorship, an audit has been conducted to determine how many trees need planted to completely offset our carbon footprint. We are now carbon neutral and are committed to taking more steps to minimize our impact on the environment. Help Trees for the Future by visiting trees.org for more information.