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Original hand engraving of a sectional bookcase from Hales 1910 catalog |
The Herkimer, NY German Street facility was erected by The Horracks Desk Co. prior to 1900.
During September 1907, Mr. F.E. Hale, a designer of sectional bookcases purchased the facility of Horracks Desk, incorporated the company and bookcase manufacturing started. Mr. Hale retired in 1918.
F.E. Hale Manufacturing was formed to exclusively produce and market the sectional bookcase. Although the product has gone through some evolution, Hale still offers the same series as that introduced in 1907.
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In 1935, an employee, Mr. Clayton Wood, who had been employed since 1909, accumulated stock in the company and became President of HALE.
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During 1953, Mr. John Benson Sr. along with his son Mr. John Benson Jr. purchased the company. Since that time HALE has been a family run business. |
By the late 1960's, through the request of their customers, Hale designed and brought to market another first, an open wood bookcase, 84" high with adjustable shelves.
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Mr. John Benson Jr. has retired, but visits the company on a regular basis to see his two sons, Mr. Jim Benson, President and his brother Mr. Jon Benson, Vice President, who currently run the business. |
Between 700 and 900 Bookcase units are shipped throughout North America from HALE each week.
BUSINESS BASICS
 Hale bookcases are sold through dealers of office and school furniture.
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HALE is dedicated to the production of quality set-up Bookcases and related cabinetry. |
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Channels of trade are through Office Products National Wholesalers, Regional Wholesalers, Office Products Dealers and Catalog Houses. | |
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Through most business channels, HALE maintains Dealer Participation, whether it be a HALE State Contract, a large order direct sale, or product delivered through Wholesalers. |
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Nearly all lumber used in production is purchased from loggers within a 75 mile radius of Frankfort, NY who harvest trees from the local Adirondack mountain forest. |
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HALE maintains it's own kilns for drying lumber to a precise moisture content before production. |
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Wood species used are: Oak, Basswood, Cherry, Butternut, Birch and Walnut. |
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In 2003 Hale Mfg. built a new state of the art 80,000 square foot building located in an industrial park in Frankfort, New York |
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Our State of the Art 80,000 square foot manufacturing facility | ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
It is Hale Mfg. Company's intent to conduct all aspects of business in an environmentally responsible way.
As manufacturers of wood bookcases and related cabinetry Hale uses fine hardwoods and hardwood veneers. Wood is considered the one natural resource that is renewable and sustainable with proper forest management. When purchasing lumber and related products, Hale makes every effort to purchase from reputable mills operating within the Northeast region of North America. It is Hale Company's policy to refuse using native Rain Forest species of wood in our products at all times. Majority of the lumber purchased is supplied from forests within a 75-mile radius of the Hale plant located in Upstate NY.
Through the process of manufacture, Hale Co strives to reduce wood waste in an effort to conserve raw material and ultimately control costs. All wood waste that is generated is utilized as energy or recycled. No wood waste is hauled to landfills. All coatings used in the finishing process meet low-hap standards as defined by law. Hale Co will continue to seek the most advanced technologies for coating applications and ingredients in an effort to reduce air emissions. All waste generated through the finishing process is filtered through a distillery, re-capturing the solvents and recycled back into the coatings process. Packaging material will consist of a minimum of 30%-recycled material in the interior corner protection pads and the exterior corrugated box.
Should our finished product reach it's useful life 100% can by recycled as wood by-products, glass recycling (if equipped with glass doors) and a small amount of metal used in adjustable glides, shelf supports and angle brackets. All of the packaging can be recycled as corrugated with the exception of a poly foam blanket used to protect the top panel during shipping.
COMPANY MISSION
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The production of Quality Wood Products at a fair price, total fair commitment to the customer and stable employment for the local workforce. |
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HALE is a T.Q.M. company. The customer is invited to talk with any individual in the company of their choosing, from the President to craftsperson. |
Hale Manufacturing's LEED-CI/Sustainability Initiatives
Hale Manufacturing supports LEED project certification with the following:
Nearly 30 percent of the national population is within 500 miles of our manufacturing facility. (Credit 5.1 LEED Green Building rating System for Commercial Interiors) For clients outside that range, Hale can manufacture products that require enough on site assembly to qualify as locally manufactured.
Hale obtains 85% of all materials within a 75-mile radius of the manufacturing facility. (Credit 5.2 LEED-CI).
Hale can obtain FSC certified material upon request and still meet Credit 5.2. (Credit 7 LEED-CI).
Upon request, Hale can document the use of low-emitting materials, adhesives and sealants. (Credit 4.1 LEED-CI).
Many Hale products contain zero composite wood and laminate adhesive thus offering no added urea-formaldehyde resin. In products that contain composite wood, this material can be eliminated upon request. (Credit 4.4 LEED-CI).
All project documentation support for the LEED-CI Template can be provided.
Hale has developed a program to use recycled material in all packaging. (Documentation can be provided)
Hale offers the option of using Forest Stewardship Council certified materials. Hale also maintains a policy not to work with exotic, endangered or restricted wood species.
Hale makes use of zero products containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Hale has introduced EPPs in various areas. First, Hale has a corporate wide recycling program. Hale has developed a waste to energy program resulting in manufacturing waste being used to heat the facility. The State of New York Department of Environmental Quality oversees this. (Certification can be provided). In addition, once volume permits, Hale can move into co-generation.
Hale is in the middle of a program to reduce and finally eliminate all VOCs. Currently, all shelves are now finished with a water-based material and plans are in place to install a 100% solids UV finish system. Hale currently exceeds all New York State emissions standards.
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