Stanley Furniture Plant Sets All-Time Industry Safety Record

Furniture World Magazine

Associates with Stanley Furniture Company set a new all-time record for the case goods industry by working nearly 3.7 million hours without a single, lost-time accident at the company’s Robbinsville, N.C. plant, breaking the previous industry record of 3.645 million hours. To celebrate three-and-one-half years without a significant injury, the facility’s 565 associates were presented with a certificate by Andy Counts, president of the American Furniture Manufacturer’s Assoc. and treated to a catered luncheon complete with door prizes. “This is a tribute to such a dedicated group of associates,” said Jeffrey Scheffer, president and chief executive officer. “I can’t express how grateful I am to each and every associate at Stanley Furniture’s Robbinsville plant who helped achieve this extraordinary safety record. Safety is Stanley Furniture’s No. 1 priority, and it’s clear that everyone at Robbinsville is playing an active role in achieving that goal.” Exceeding more than three million hours without a lost-time accident is an impressive achievement in any workplace, especially in the manufacturing sector, which tends to have higher accident rates than other industries. According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, among 11 industry categories, manufacturing and construction have the highest lost-time accident rates, and the accident rate for furniture production is slightly higher than manufacturing as a whole. A lost-time accident is defined as any injury that prevents an employee from working his or her next regularly scheduled shift. “This achievement is truly remarkable,” said Bob Chapman, Stanley Furniture’s vice president of manufacturing. “I’ve worked in this industry for nearly 40 years and have never observed this level of commitment to safety. The plant’s Perfect Practice Safety Committee should be especially proud of its leadership.” According to Chapman, the safety initiatives work at Stanley Furniture because all associates truly embrace the company’s goal of reducing injuries. “Every time they remind one another to ‘Remember your eye protection’ or ‘Get help moving that box,’ they’re really just expressing genuine concern for one another.” Stanley Furniture rewarded its associates with over 50 door prizes. Stephen McCoy won the grand prize, a Young America® bedroom set consisting of a headboard, dresser, mirror, chest, and night stand. Other door prizes included three $100 retail gift certificates, six $50 retail gift cards, 12 $25 retail gift cards, and 30 $30 gift certificates to area restaurants. Chapman said the Perfect Practice Safety Committee, which is made up of associates from throughout the plant, constantly reinforces the safety message through meetings, reminders posted throughout the facility and one-on-one interactions at work stations inside the plant. “Safety efforts here are working well because the focus is on giving out ‘High Fives’ to recognize achievement in a positive way.” One of the largest furniture manufacturers in the United States, Stanley Furniture Co., Inc. is widely recognized as a style and design leader. The company has received nine coveted Pinnacle Awards for fine quality residential wood furniture, ranging from traditional to contemporary. Stanley Furniture Collections are presented as dining room, bedroom, home entertainment and accent tables, and home office. Young America® is the industry leader in youth furniture. Founded in 1924, Stanley Furniture has a strong tradition of superior product supported by excellent quality and service. The shipment of orders to retail stores is among the fastest in the industry. Production facilities are located in Stanleytown and Martinsville, Va., as well as Robbinsville and Lexington, N.C. Stanley Furniture's upper-medium priced furniture is sold to furniture specialty stores, department stores and furniture store chains. Stanley Furniture common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol STLY. For additional information, visit stanleyfurniture.com.