JASPER, IN — Kimball(R) Office and National(TM) Office Furniture, brand units of Kimball(R) International, proudly announce that 100 percent of company-manufactured products achieve American National Standards Institute/Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (ANSI/BIFMA) level(TM) 2 or 3 certification, which includes casegoods, systems, tables, and seating.

As a result, designers, clients, and government, healthcare, and education facilities that choose Kimball Office and National will benefit by selecting from the industry’s most eco-friendly product portfolios. Selecting products certified level 2 or 3 ensures sustainable choices that reinforce efforts for building healthy, efficient environments.

Combined, Kimball Office and National offer more than 50 level 3 product series, which increases the number of level 3 products currently available by more than four times.

The ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard (level) is a stringent multi-attribute, third-party certification program for the contract office furniture industry. This achievement strengthens the companies’ positions as two of the industry’s most prominent manufacturers of sustainably-produced contract office furniture.

“For more than 40 years, Kimball Office has maintained a commitment to the environment by designing and producing products that support our dedication to responsible business practices,” said Georgy Olivieri, Director of Architecture, Design, and Sustainable Strategies, LEED AP, Kimball Office. “By offering level 3 furniture in all major product categories, more than any other manufacturer, we are able to provide the market with solutions that meet growing demand for green standards. Our team has worked extremely hard to ensure we meet and exceed BIFMA’s standards for product development, manufacturing, and corporate responsibility.”

“National’s achievement of level 3 continues a rich heritage of environmental stewardship. Our goal is to provide the marketplace with quality, sustainable solutions at an exceptional value. Attaining level 3 requires significant commitment throughout the organization and supply chain. Our partners and customers deserve the best in sustainable products, and now they have more level 3 products than ever from which to choose,” said Mendy Claridge, Sustainable and Technical Product Solutions Manager, LEED AP ID+C, National Office Furniture.

“The transparency and thoroughness of the level program as well as attaining level 3 certification, demonstrates how incorporating sustainability and corporate social responsibility into a holistic business strategy benefits everyone. It strengthens the business, provides customers with the highest performing products, and creates an on-going pursuit for our industry to reduce its impact on the environment and be good neighbors,” said Don Van Winkle, President, Office Furniture Group, Kimball International.

The BIFMA level program establishes measurable performance criteria to address environmental aspects of product manufacturing throughout the supply chain, including the areas of materials, use of energy, human and ecosystem health, and social responsibility. There are three levels of conformance, each requiring specific prerequisites and optional credits, similar to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification. Level 3 is the highest certification under the current ANSI/BIFMA program. The level certification program allows facility managers, architects, and designers to evaluate products using a ‘level’ playing field, based upon the product and manufacturer’s environmental and social impact. The BIFMA level program recently received the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Design Excellence Award for Innovation.

Both Kimball Office and National Office Furniture products can be found on www.ecoScorecard.com for a quick and simple way to research sustainable products and download documentation for green building programs such as LEED.

About Kimball Office
Kimball(R) Office has been transforming workspaces for over 40 years with an ever-widening breadth of relevant, sustainable office furniture solutions. As one of America’s most respected environmentally-conscious contract office furniture manufacturers, they provide architects, designers, facility managers, and employers with open plan system solutions, both modern and classic desking, and a range of seating options. The company is a brand unit of Kimball International Inc., (NASDAQ: KBALB), a $1.2 billion publicly traded company headquartered in Jasper, Ind.

About National Office Furniture
National Office Furniture, (Furniture with Personality(R)), a brand unit of Kimball International Inc. (NASDAQ: KBALB), is a Jasper, Indiana-based manufacturer of high-quality office furnishings. Since 1980 National Office Furniture has built a reputation for excellence with stylish furniture of exceptional value; a dedication to personalized service; product designs that reflect a passion for the user's comfort and productivity; and a commitment to environmental responsibility.

About BIFMA
BIFMA is a not-for-profit organization that provides an effective forum for Members to cooperate and collaborate on appropriate industry issues. As an ANSI accredited standards developer BIFMA develops voluntary product and industry standards that support safe, healthy and sustainable work environments. BIFMA also publishes key industry statistics; advocates for legislation and government regulation that have a direct impact on the health of the industry; and facilitates meaningful dialog and education to support our core services and the industry.

About Kimball International
Recognized with a reputation for excellence, Kimball International is committed to a high performance culture that values personal and organizational commitment to quality, reliability, value, speed, and ethical behavior. Kimball employees know they are part of a corporate culture that builds success for Customers while enabling employees to share in the Company’s success through personal, professional and financial growth.

Kimball International, Inc. (NASDAQ: KBALB) provides a variety of products from its two business segments: the Electronic Manufacturing Services segment and the Furniture segment. The Electronic Manufacturing Services segment provides engineering and manufacturing services which utilize common production and support capabilities to a variety of industries globally. The Furniture segment provides furniture for the office and hospitality industries, sold under the Company’s family of brand names.
SOURCE: Kimball Office