Tulsa Cabinet Manufacturer Sells Sixth Sense

It’s not often that you can say custom cabinetry and ESP in the same sentence but I recently figured out how. In fact, I found a local cabinet manufacturer that embeds ESP into its products. Okay, not the Extra-Sensory Perception kind of ESP but another type that also gives you a pretty good feeling. More on that in a moment. I had an opportunity to view the Jay Rambo Company through an industrial ecology lens, taking into consideration its processes, product life cycles and how it approaches sustainability, pollution prevention and waste management.

The Jay Rambo Company is a cabinet manufacturer based in Tulsa that specializes in handcrafted custom cabinetry. Jay Rambo also provides custom closet systems, stand-alone armoires and outdoor grilling solutions. A wide range of options and product combinations differentiates Jay Rambo from other cabinet manufacturers. However, these options bring additional challenges to remain efficient. This is where ESP comes in handy.

Jay Rambo was awarded the Environmental Stewardship award in 2007 and expects to receive the award again for 2008. The Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) is a voluntary standard for cabinet manufacturers administered by Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association. There are 146 ESP certified companies and brands but only one in Oklahoma – Jay Rambo. ESP certification is awarded annually and is based on 5 categories: air quality, product resource management, process resource management, environmental stewardship and community relations.

To reduce waste and increase the efficiency of their raw materials, “We use sophisticated computer-aided equipment systems for planning, cutting and sanding. Most equipment is supported by vacuum ventilation systems to take away sawdust and waste to holding stations located outside the building,” says Jay Rambo Plant Manager, Ron Gniech. Ron was right – the 80,000 square foot facility was practically sawdust free.

The ESP requires that particle board, plywood and medium density fiberboard (MDF): meet established formaldehyde emission levels; finished products must be finished domestically; and finishes used shall emit no greater Hazardous Air Pollutants than allowed by local plant operating permits. Particleboard and MDF must meet standards for recycled/recovered fiber content.

Most of Jay Rambo’s hardwood is purchased through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program. SFI forest certification promotes responsible forestry practices. SFI chain-of-custody certification tracks wood from certified lands through production and manufacturing to the end product. This element may qualify your project for the National Association of Home Builders’ National Green Building Program (NAHB Green) or for LEED Credits. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a certification process by the U.S. Green Building Council that provides standards for environmentally sustainable construction.

Jay Rambo recycles saw dust waste, cardboard waste, hazardous waste, and paper waste. The company routinely gives to Habitat for Humanity, including one time when it donated over $15,000 in hardware to Habitat’s building materials re-use operation. The Company has provided free cabinets to churches and other charitable organizations around Tulsa. Jay Rambo also volunteers time and staff to Tulsa Tech’s Architecture and Construction classes as panel judges and guest speakers.

So if you’re thinking about greening your next cabinet project, try using ESP and tap into your sixth sense.