Sawyer Bentwood

Sawyer Bentwood is a family-run operation in Whitington, Vermont that has been in business since 1801 - that's over 200 years.



Today, Sawyer Bentwood specializes in steam bending wood to manufacture a large variety of hardwood products using a special steam-bending technique. 

If you visit their web-site you will see they exhibit a characteristic I have found in many of the companies in the "Century Club" - a commitment to environmentalism.  Though many people might associate "green" initiatives more with newer, entrepreneurial firms, I have found many of the 100-year-old companies I have studied to be at the forefront of environmental initiatives.  These initiatives may stem from one of the distinguishing factors of the old companies - a commitment to and involvement in their communities.  Also, since leaders of these old companies tend to see themselves as "stewards" of their company (rather than making a name for themselves). this perhaps also extends into feeling obliged to be stewards of the environment.