Kalon Studios

At Kalon Studios, we make every effort to be as green and sustainable as can be. In our efforts to find sustainable solutions to manufacturing, we’ve engaged the newest and sometimes the oldest methods and materials.

We’ve used raw materials that are renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic and food safe. We’ve finished our woods with an oil we developed that is so green, so-non toxic that it’s practically food grade.

We’ve made use of the industries most local to us in our manufacturing.

For us, sustainability is defined as having multiple intentions all of which center on the idea of balance, of giving as much as we take, be it through economics, the environment or on the everyday human level.

OIL FINISH
Our wood oil finish was specially developed by us to replace other readily available wood finishes containing heavy metals, inorganic compounds and other toxins. Uses industrial grade version of materials known in other edible forms - i.e., Linseed Oil (Flax oil), Citrus Oil Extract, Carnuba Wax (Lipstick & Candy Base).

WATER-BASED GLUES
We use water-based, non-toxic glues. All of our glues out-perform by 3x both the stringent E1 (European) and California (US) emission standards, the highest ratings available.

WATER-BASED PAINT
Non-Toxic, low VOC, 100% HAPs free (Hazardous Air Pollutants).

We source bamboo, cork and domestic hardwoods that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for sustainable and responsible harvesting practices.

Except in cases where we feel a particular material lends a very special quality to a piece we source only sustainably managed, locally sourced, domestic materials.

To maintain healthy forests, the best wood choice is sustainably managed, locally sourced wood; local wood has much less embodied energy from transportation.

We put no restriction on the grain structure of the woods that we use which is vitally important to reducing waste in the timber industry as often only wood with “ideal” grain structure makes it to market.

We choose to work with FSC Certified bamboo, despite the fact that it only grows in China, because of its uniquely sustainable, fast-growing quality and because of the particular qualities of the material.
We source materials that contain no harmful additives.

When it’s structurally beneficial we use Zero-formaldehyde, FSC Certified, Birch, Multi-ply, otherwise, we use solid wood.

We use a cradle-to-cradle sustainable resin. 100% recycled, 100% recyclable.

All of our materials are either recyclable, renewable and/or biodegradable.

The parts for our furniture are nested so efficiently that we have virtually zero off-fall. All of our products have a minimum 90% material efficiency and we are continually redeveloping our manufacturing process to create less waste.

UNUSED MATERIAL IS RETAINED FOR USE.

SMALL WASTE (SAWDUST AND OFF-FALL) IS RECYCLED to make MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) and other particle boards or converted to make energy.

ALL OF OUR PIECES ARE MADE TO ORDER. 
We do not have pieces kept in stock or in storage.

WE OPERATE ON A KANBAN SYSTEM.
The digitization of our production process allows us to effectively and efficiently produce on a per order basis, so we see no material or labor loss on products that are not in demand. Our design, development and production process operate on a margin of error that is effectively zero, drastically reducing waste material and energy.

WE EMPLOY THE MOST UP-TO-DATE C.N.C.
C. N. C. (Computer Numerically Controlled) technology is a highly efficient and versatile form of manufacturing, maximizing time and labour and reducing waste.

All of our products are locally manufactured and produced in or near the former furniture manufacturing capital of the United States.

Each piece is hand-finished by local craftsman with decades of experience.

We are committed to helping to sustain and revitalize the businesses, communities and woodworking traditions most local to us.

All of our products are designed to be heirloom pieces, with high-quality construction and materials intended to last through generations of use. They are also all designed to be as versatile and multi-purposed as possible with a design aesthetic that is timeless. We’ve designed our children’s collection to function, aesthetically and practically, beyond the limits of the nursery and to grow with the child, adapting to their changing needs.