Meet the makers as The Joinery turns 35
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PORTLAND, Oregon -- The Joinery began as a furniture refurbishing and repair business in 1982. Over the past three decades it has evolved into an organization that creates masterful furniture in a variety of modern and traditional designs, with a deep commitment to its employees, the environment, and the broader community.

On July 22 from 4 to 7 p.m., The Joinery will host a 35th anniversary celebration at its location at 4804 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland, Oregon. Customers, partners, the curious and the community are invited to drop in, enjoy the festivities and learn how furniture is made here.

The wood shop will be open, where craftsmen and women will demonstrate how they create beautiful, velvety solid wood furniture. Celebrants will also enjoy food, wine and beer from fellow Portland-area B Corps.

Marc Gaudin founded The Joinery in 1982 and ran the company for three decades before Jon Blumenauer took ownership in 2013. “The common thread in our success over the last 35 years simple: hire people who care,” Blumenauer said. “Of all that we have done over the years, I am most proud of the team we have built.”

A key piece of The Joinery’s culture is its builders having individual ownership of each piece they make, which culminates in the craftsperson’s signature and a lifetime warranty

“This means that our builders have had ownership, as well as artistic license, to create a product from beginning to end,” said Blumenauer. “They feel a sense of pride in building a piece that will be in someone’s home for decades to come.

The Joinery has been recognized for its extensive commitment to sustainable business practices. It has been a Certified B Corporation since 2010, and has been recognized by Oregon Business Magazine as one of the “100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon” for the past three years.

It was also named one of Oregon’s Most Admired Companies (Designers & Makers category) by the Portland Business Journal. The Joinery’s environmental commitment starts with a lifetime warranty on residential furniture. Lumber comes from local sources and those certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council. Every scrap of wood is used or donated, down to the dust collection system and briquette machine that turns sawdust into wood briquettes.

Briquettes are donated to the community, avoiding about 1,200 pounds of wood waste being sent to a landfill in an average week. The Joinery has long been committed to local manufacturing, and is proud to be a part of the vibrant maker movement in Portland. The company is marking another milestone with its 20-year anniversary at its Woodstock manufacturing facility, where the July 22 celebration will take place. Visit http://www.thejoinery.com.

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About the author
Karl Forth

Karl D. Forth is online editor for CCI Media. He also writes news and feature stories in FDMC Magazine, in addition to newsletters and custom publishing projects. He is also involved in event organization, and compiles the annual FDM 300 list of industry leaders. He can be reached at [email protected].