Sustainable Suppliers

Sometimes driving change in an interconnected world means forging new links in your supply chain.

Steelcase's Turnstone group decided to do just that by piloting an alternative model to bring unique indigenous art and traditional crafts into the portfolio and, at the same time, generate income for people working to build a better life.

"We asked ourselves, ‘How can we look at sustainability in a new holistic way?'" says Charlie. "Typically, the supply chain model for a large company like Steelcase is built on long-term relationships, high volume, guaranteed uniformity, absolute reliability - virtually no risk."

While that model exists and will stay in place for many good reasons, Charlie says the Turnstone team also saw opportunity to be experimental.

"We wanted to try something new that would benefit people in need and give our customers something unique, something special. We decided to take a risk and find a new type of supplier, and then develop product around it."

Turnstone's first foray using this new model resulted in a relationship with a company named 2fysh. By facilitating the design, production and distribution of textiles, apparel and crafts, 2fysh provides income and life-sustaining skills for hundreds of people in Kenya, where unemployment typically hovers around 50%.

As a supplier, 2fysh worked with the Turnstone team to develop slipcovers for Alight Round and Campfire ottomans. Each is handwoven and sewn by single and widowed women. These women are especially marginalized in Kenyan society. In addition to a strong living wage, 2fysh pays performance bonuses. With a stable income, these women gain purpose, dignity and self-respect.

The slipcovers "celebrate variations and uniqueness," says Charlie. "No two are exactly the same. The colors and designs haven't been filtered through the contract furniture industry, so our customers get authentic regional palettes and patterns."

The slipcovers made their debut at the four-day 2010 TED in conference in Long Beach, Calif., and have been getting favorable attention from customers since. They're distinctively attractive, easy to ship and install, and include a hangtag that tells the unique and inspiring Kenyan story.

"Our new model provides skills and income for hundreds of people in Kenya. It's a very simple approach, but not simplistic. In some ways, the model is more important than the object. It allows us to do more."

Through the experiment with 2fysh, Charlie says, "we're swinging the door open to more opportunities like this to go outside of our current network, to expand our supply bases and support people in need - whether it's in Africa, North America, Latin America or anywhere else in the world." ■