Rowe Furniture Launches Eco-Rowe Collection and Commits to Sustainable Manufacturing Practices

McLean, VA (October 1, 2007) – Rowe Furniture introduces eco-friendly components to its upholstered furniture collections with the clear intent of moving towards more sustainable manufacturing practices.  Rowe will identify product as Eco-Rowe to illustrate eco-friendly elements.  Selected new styles introduced in October 2007 at the International Home Furnishing Market in High Point will be identified as Eco-Rowe with a more expansive phase-in planed in 2008.

Initial efforts to produce eco-friendly upholstered furniture include the introduction of two new, eco-friendly cushions, twenty-one new 100% natural fiber fabrics and several enhanced manufacturing and recycling programs at our factory. 

Details on the new initiatives are:

Natural Fiber Fabrics

	Over the last several years, Rowe has gradually introduced natural fiber content fabrics and currently has approximately 50 such fabrics in the line
	Introduction in October 2007 of twenty-one additional fabrics with 100% natural fiber content
	Introduction in October 2007 of Rowe’s first hemp fabric – color: sage
	Introduction in October 2007 of Rowe’s first bamboo/cotton blend fabric – color: stone

Eco-300CC cushion

Rowe’s high-resiliency foam core is used in designs where a more tailored styling is desirable.   This cushion offers a medium-firm seating experience.

Rowe’s new Eco-300CC cushion core is developed by Foamex [www.foamex.com], a leader in the development of comfort cushioning.  Rowe introduces the use of Foamex’ new “Reflex Natural” cushion core which provides a uniquely-innovative offering that combines three characteristics into one high-performance solution:

	A highly-durable comfort material containing plant based renewable, raw materials.  In Reflex Natural, these natural ingredients replace significant amounts of the petroleum-based materials traditionally used in foam-making.
	Reflex Natural is manufactured using Foamex’s Variable Pressure Foaming (VPF) technology, a virtually emission-free manufacturing process that creates significantly higher quality cushioning material in a wide variety of density and firmness, resulting in a product that provides consistent comfort.
	Reflex Natural also contains organic, halogen-free fire retardants.

Eco-Down cushion

Rowe’s new Eco-Down cushion provides a rich and luxurious comfort with a modern combination of high-resiliency foam, recycled fiber and duck feather/down blend cushion fill.

Rowe’s Eco-Down cushion is developed with Pacific Coast Feather Cushion Company [www.pcfcushion.com], the industry leader in natural-fill cushion products.  Pacific Coast Feather Cushion brings a new eco-friendly cushion to the furniture industry by blending regenerated fiber with natural duck feather and down.  Rowe becomes the largest furniture manufacturer to introduce the Eco-Down cushion.   Key traits are:

	The use of regenerated fiber.  The recycled fiber is a material that was used for another purpose (i.e. soda bottles, etc.)  It is considered a renewable resource hence it is eco-friendly and sustainable.  The combination of the fiber with the feather/down blend creates the necessary resiliency for the cushion.
	The use of 100% natural cotton, down-proof ticking that avoids bleaching or synthetic fills used in the finishing process.  This fabric is used to create the envelope which encases the foam core and the fiber and feather/down blend fill.
	The down-proof ticking helps contain the feather/down blend fill.The use of duck feathers and down, which is the standard for comfort in natural products.  These elements are hypo-allergenic due to the cleaning process via bio-degradable emulsifiers, etc.

Wood Frames

	Rowe Furniture is a founding member of the Sustainable Furniture Council (SFC) and a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).
	Rowe uses lumber which is harvested from domestic forests which are replenished.

The Manufacturing Process

In our manufacturing facility in Elliston, Virginia we have instituted a number of initiatives and engaged the entire workforce in thinking about ways to further advance our eco-friendly approach to manufacturing.  Details include:

	Reducing overall methanol emissions
	Using packaging which contains recycled material
	Bailing and recycling all cardboard, plastic, synthetic cotton, paper and poly from the manufacturing process
	Recycling paper used during the fabric cutting process and throughout the office
	Recycling the synthetic fiber
	Encouraging all of our vendors to practice eco-friendly manufacturing
	Encouraging the reading of emails and not the printing of emails
	Switching off computers overnight
	Using natural-ingredient based cleaning solutions for floors, windows, etc.

All of these initiatives illustrate Rowe’s intention to produce eco-friendly product with responsible manufacturing practices. Rowe takes a leadership role as a U.S. manufacturer committed to sustainable manufacturing and plans to be around to benefit from a cleaner environment.

Rowe Furniture is a leading manufacturer of custom upholstered furniture in the United States.  Established in 1946, Rowe offers a wide range of styling in sofas, sectionals, chairs and ottomans with hundreds of fabric selections.  The Rowe collections include Rowe and Robin Bruce.  Rowe Furniture is available at major home furnishings retailers and better independent home furnishings retailers across the United States and around the world.  Rowe Furniture is owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. For more information please visit www.rowefurniture.com or call 800-334-7693.

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