Jensen to debut sustainable ipe wood products

Jensen Leisure Furniture also recently changed name

-- Casual Living, 6/16/2008 7:31:00 AM

 Jensen Leisure Furniture, the manufacturer of high-end outdoor furniture formerly known as Jensen Jarrah, will debut selected pieces from its new line of furniture made from Rainforest Alliance certified ipe wood at the Chicago International Casual Furniture & Accessories Premarket in July.
     
      After 15 years of making furniture using Australian jarrah, the company recently converted to ipe, a wood forested from Bolivia, which is Forest Stewardship Council certified as sustainable by the Rainforest Alliance. Australian forestry issues and rising costs made the acquisition of jarrah nearly impossible, forcing Jensen to seek an alternative.
     
      This change allows Jensen to take a leadership role in the industry in promoting sustainable forestry practices. Bolivian ipe is a sustainable wood option, and Jensen has partnered with organizations like the Rainforest Alliance and CIMAL IMR, a Bolivian group responsible for certifying the forests from which ipe will be harvested.
     
      “Consumers today are making purchasing decisions not just with their wallet but by consulting their own values,” said Max Jensen, CEO of Jensen Leisure Furniture. “In our industry, the result is a growing demand for green furniture manufactured by companies doing business in a socially responsible way.”
      
      With ipe, Jensen is also using an attractive and durable wood. “Îpe is a phenomenal wood highly resistant to rot, decay or checking, making it a perfect option for outdoor furniture,” Jensen said. “And because we are working with an organization as reputable as the Rainforest Alliance, we know we are bringing consumers high-end outdoor furniture in the most socially and environmentally responsible manner.”
     
      Jensen will make its new furniture line available to dealers and retailers this fall and expects consumer availability early in 2009.