National Hardwood Magazine - July 2014

WOODFOLD MANUFACTURING

WOODFOLD MANUFACTURING continued from page 19 Pictured is an example of Woodfold Manufacturing Inc.’s fantop louvers. Woodfold purchases approximately 250,000 board feet annually. Alder is the primary species. Woodfold has earned a reputation among designers, architects, and homeowners as the “go to” company when faced with a real challenge. How to turn an odd-shaped window into a work of art, how to divide a cavernous room into cozy retreats, and how to assure better security without sacrificing eye appeal are just a few of the challenges that the company has tackled with ease. “We’re able to do all this and more thanks to a unique combination of assets, which include exceptional design and engineering; timeless, traditional craftsmanship; and the finest Hardwoods, man-made materials, and hardware,” Bateman said. “Of course, we also have the most advanced technological advances in equipment, machinery, and process workflow. All of these elements come together and really set our company apart from the crowd.” That differentiation helped Woodfold make it through the recent housing market recession, which hit the company hard in 2008 and 2009. “We had a pretty significant layoff and have yet to start hiring again,” said Bateman, who credits the firm’s lean manufacturing techniques (which were in place pre-recession and then stepped up during the business slump) and status as an employee-owned firm with helping buoy the manufacturer during those challenging years. “We did a lot of internal and cross training within the firm to get everyone on board with the lean principles,” said Bateman. CONTINENTAL UNDERWRITERS, INC. The National Solution to Your Local Risk 36 JULY 2014 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

This is an example of Woodfold’s customized between mount bar columns. Woodfold’s ongoing environmental measures also helped and have been increased significantly over the last five years as more customers demand greener products. In 2008, for example, the manufacturer partnered with a team from Oregon State University to evaluate its processes looking for opportunities to improve energy efficiencies in order to further reduce its carbon footprint. “We then achieved our Forest Stewardship Council COC certification, which allowed us to manufacture and sell FSC-certified wood products,” said Bateman. One year later the company received the Innovation in Sustainability Award from the Portland Business Journal and Small Business Environmental Stewardship Award from EPA’s SBO/SBEAP. To illustrate its commitment to environmental sustainability, Woodfold has published charts that show the firm’s progress in reducing electricity consumption, natural gas consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and solid waste recycling. Bateman said more green efforts are on the agenda for Woodfold, which this year plans to introduce a line of bookcase doors that keep gun cabinets tastefully out of sight. “With all that’s going on right now with gun control issues we want to step up into that area and help out where we can,” said Bateman, “while also growing our business within our existing customer bases.” For more information visit online at www.woodfold.com. ■ JULY 2014 ■ NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 37