SBIR-STTR Award

This Phase I SBIR project will investigate fundamental design and market issues necessary for expanding the use of character marked hardwoods in furniture. Character marks are naturally occurring flaws typically found in lower grades of wood, the material that comprises the majority of a sustainable harvest. The design component of this project will assess design elements and furniture styles that may be suitable for the inclusion of character marks and will culminate with the design and construction of a group of variously character marked chairs to be used in a market survey. The market component will focus on four areas: (a) a conjoint experiment to evaluate consumers' preferences for furniture made from character marked hardwood, (b) an economic analysis to identify socioeconomic factors that determine consumers' acceptance of character marked hardwood furniture, (c) marketing research to evaluate strategies for promoting consumer acceptance of character marked hardwood furniture, and (d) development of data necessary to evaluate the development of sustainable, rural, wood products enterprises in Phase II. It is our belief that furniture design can help promote the use of character marked wood, a use that has enormous potential to contribute to the economic and cultural well being of rural communities that are forest resource dependent.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
: The results will provide: (a) a demonstration of the compatibility of character marked hardwoods with compelling furniture design, (b) an understanding of consumer preferences for furniture made with character marked woods, (c) consumers' price and value response to character marked hardwood furniture, (d) the most promising opportunities for sales and distribution of furniture made with character marked hardwoods and (e) data sufficient to evaluate in Phase II an appropriate scale for competitive, sustainable, community-based wood products enterprises.

Adding value to an undervalued forest resource at the local level will benefit the economic, ecological and cultural health or rural forest dependent communities. A large percentage of hardwood is relegated to low value uses by virtue of naturally occurring character (knots, coloration, etc.). Many rural communities have abundant supplies of low value wood yet few opportunities currently exist to derive substantial economic benefit from this resource. Beeken/Parsons proposes to produce high value furniture from character wood in a way that builds upon the capacity of rural northern Vermont. Phase I research revealed broad market potential for fine furniture made with character wood and identified factors critical to consumer acceptance of this furniture. Now the most efficient means of maximizing economic and social benefits must be determined. Phase II will explore methods by which a rural community can sustain its timber and manufacturing resources and retain marketing and distribution profits. This research will 1) develop and analyze techniques which efficiently address the harvesting, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution challenges unique to character marked wood and 2) test the hypothesis that a symbiotic community of rural manufacturing and marketing businesses is a practical and feasible way to maximize local economic benefit.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
This project will support a rural economic infrastructure that maximizes the value of character hardwood by developing 1) sawing and drying efficiencies that improve yields, 2) manufacturing techniques that optimize the utility of character wood, 3) coordination among rural wood products and marketing businesses, 4) new markets for landowners and wood product manufacturers, and 5) a non toxic wood finish for industrial applications.Successful results will: 1) demonstrate the compatibility of character wood with high value, production, wood products, and 2) prove the value of lower grade wood in the market place and as a rural community resource.