Indonesian Furnishing Group Burnishes Green Credentials Again In Las Vegas

Furniture World Magazine

Furnishing group Eco Exotic first made a splash in July 2008 at the Las Vegas Market with its striking, green creations from the Indonesian archipelago. Now, Eco Exotic announced that it is back in Las Vegas with a wider array of products, competitive pricing and strengthened sustainability credentials. “Eco Exotic is a private sector initiative that includes nine of Indonesia’s leading companies in the furniture and home accessories industry,” said Eco Exotic member Johny Sahlan. Several members are already certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for their sustainable wood sourcing methods, while others will soon conform to sustainable standards set by the Sustainable Furnishing Council (SFC). These practices are crucial; they ensure that Eco Exotic completely excludes illegal wood from the value chain, reducing pressure on Indonesia’s threatened rainforests. According to Eco Exotic member Jajak Suryo Putro, “In the Living Green Pavilion, Eco Exotic demonstrates that products can be designed with mainstream appeal from a quality, design, pricing and sustainable standpoint, as evidenced by the range of international clients we ship to, including Pier 1, Maisons du Monde, and Conforama.” As in July 2008, Eco Exotic members have brought a diverse and original product line to Las Vegas, including chairs and tables made from salvaged wood, chandeliers fashioned out of dry branches, and an assortment of baskets, bags, mirror frames and other products that consist of naturally renewable materials and almost no chemicals (e.g. glues and paints are water-based). The sustainable approach to design and manufacture adapted by Eco Exotic members was further strengthened by the signing of a stringent deed in late 2008. The deed enshrines the fundamental values that have become the hallmark of Eco Exotic: professional business practices, environmental leadership, and progressive working conditions for all employees, such as workspace safety standards. As stated in the deed, Eco Exotic will aggressively support key players in the value chain to become more innovative, while also exploring new ideas, concepts and techniques for more sustainable manufacturing practices. Meanwhile, a comprehensive set of training tools—the Sustainable Practices Modules—has been developed to help new Eco Exotic members conform to the sustainability standards of the group. This is good news for buyers looking for new designs that mesh Indonesian craftsmanship with solid environmental credentials. As Eco Exotic continues to expand as a group, the market can look forward to an increased range of products manufactured by companies that care for people, respect nature and support the local economy.