by Company is committed to planting more than 29,000 trees this year
BASSETT, Va. — A team of Bassett associates from factories, stores and the company headquarters traveled to Ohio recently to participate in the ninth Annual Tree Planting with its forestry sustainability partners. The event is held each year to coincide with Arbor Day. Bassett will plant more than 29,000 trees this year.
Jeb Bassett, who leads the company’s EFEC team and is senior vice president and chief operations officer, planted the 200,000th tree. Jeb Bassett is the great grandson of founder C.C. Bassett.
“We want our associates to experience our tree plantings so they feel a stronger connection to what we’re trying to do with our sustainability efforts They take this back to their jobs with a greater sensitivity to the importance. We hope they look for and make recommendations of other things we can do in the workplace.”
The company began the initiative in 2016 with the launch of the BenchMade collection. The case goods and occasional furniture collection features solid Appalachian hardwoods that are crafted at its BenchMade factory in Bassett’s hometown, Bassett, Virginia. Bassett Furniture has committed to planting two trees for every BenchMade dining table, bed, cocktail table and credenza sold.
“I didn’t expect we’d be at 200,000 trees so quickly,” Bassett said. “The success of the BenchMade line has greatly exceeded our forecasts.”
Bassett plants a variety of species including poplar, pine, maple and oak to assure forest growth if one species becomes susceptible to pests or disease.
“Many of the trees harvested for BenchMade sprouted as seedlings 90 to 120 years ago when Bassett was in its formative years,” said Bassett CEO Rob Spilman. “It’s important that we plant back where we take. We’re doing this for future generations so people can enjoy the unique beauty of wood furniture.”
