New York, September 16, 2011 – The Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium announced that Shafer Commercial Seating has joined the Consortium as a Contributing Member.  A family-owned US manufacturer of chairs, booths and tables for the hospitality industry for more than 75 years, Shafer’s membership in the Consortium is another important step toward building a new Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI) that will reflect industry wide sustainability performance standards for all suppliers, large and small.
 
“High quality, comfortable furniture is an essential element of the guest experience for all hospitality providers,” said Randy Shafer, President of Shafer Commercial Seating, Inc.  He concluded, “Over the past fifteen years, we have learned that sustainable practices are good for our business—making it possible for us to provide the hospitality industry with high quality, durable and safe products.  We are looking forward to working with other industry leaders, via the Consortium, to establish the performance criteria that helps make this common practice.”

Shafer brings the number of members in the Consortium to twenty-two, including thirteen industry-leading suppliers, as well as leading brands, architects, designers, purchasing firms, sustainability consultants and owners.

Shafer and the HSPC
The Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium (HSPC), created and led by MindClick SGM™, is a collaborative organization to help hotel owners purchase products that both reduce their properties’ environmental impact, and contribute to guest comfort, health and well-being.
 
Shafer, along with other Consortium members, will help establish criteria for creation of a new Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI). The Index will include measures of corporate social responsibility, environmental and product sustainability.  Product categories covered include furnishings, fixtures and equipment (FF&E), and operating supplies and equipment (OS&E).

Shafer Commercial Seating has a long tradition of practicing and pioneering sustainable and environmentally friendly methods in its products and processes.  The company was a pioneer in reducing its footprint on the environment; among other initiatives, it was an early adopter of waterborne adhesives and finishes, and it helped pioneer the integration of sustainable materials and practices.
 
Beginning in 1996, Shafer was among the first wood chair manufacturers in the U.S. to use a 100% waterborne finishing system for all of its chairs and barstools.  The company also helped its finish supplier develop and perfect waterborne stains, sealers and top coats which do not contain dangerous catalysts or curing processes for use on regular mass production finishing systems.

"We are happy to welcome Shafer to the Consortium,” said JoAnna Abrams, CEO of  MindClick SGM™. It is important to the success of the HSP Index that the Consortium reflect the perspective of local and global suppliers, as well as private and publicly traded companies. She concluded, “Like other leaders in the industry, Shafer has demonstrated how to balance cost, quality and sustainability.  We look forward to their contribution in shaping the HSP Index.”

Shafer joins existing Consortium members Marriott International, Audit Logistics, Aqua Hospitality Carpets, Benjamin West, Contract Decor International, Delta Faucet Company, Innvision, InterfaceFLOR, Majestic Mirror and Frame, PE INTERNATIONAL Inc., Quiltcraft Industries, Richloom Fabrics Group, RTKL, SERA Architects, and Valley Forge Fabrics.

About the Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Consortium
Established in June 2011 by MindClick SGM™, the Consortium is comprised of a group of leaders in the hotel industry representing brands, suppliers, architecture and design firms, purchasing companies, owners and sustainability experts.  Led by MindClick, Consortium members are working collaboratively to provide the industry with a unified approach to greening the global supply chain.  The Hospitality Sustainable Purchasing Index (HSPI) will set the criteria for sustainable purchasing and create a repository of supplier performance in the areas of corporate social responsibility, product, and environmental sustainability.  For more information visit www.hspiconsortium.com.

About MindClick SGM
MindClick SGM, a leading sustainability research and consulting firm, provides clients with performance measurement tools to develop, implement, improve and promote product and company sustainability.  Serving clients ranging from global Fortune 1000 companies in consumer products, automotive, and hospitality, to family owned building products suppliers, to government municipalities, MindClick drives growth through sustainability.  Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in San Francisco and Seattle, MindClick combines a decade of experience in sustainability with 20+ years of research, product development and marketing expertise.  The result is sustainability performance rating services that provide executive decision makers with the knowledge to maximize business success.  For more information, visit www.mindclicksgm.com.

About Shafer Commercial Seating  
Based in Denver, Shafer Commercial Seating has been manufacturing high quality furniture to meet the diverse needs of the hospitality industry - Hotels, Restaurants, Country Clubs, Stadiums/Arenas, senior living, and more - for more 75 years. Each week, the company ships more than 3,500 products to both domestic and international markets. This longevity and ongoing success, can be attributed to Shafer’s overall commitment to state-of-the-art manufacturing processes and equipment, superior customer service, and having the industry’s largest frame inventory with the largest selection of styles. Please visit www.shafer.com