Press Release: 9/29/2009

Warren, RI (September 29, 2009) Monarch Industries, Inc., a Rhode Island architectural millwork and store fixture company, was approved from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in June to become FSC Chain of Custody (COC) Certified.

Monarch manufactures and installs architectural millwork and store fixtures for leading developers, contractors, and retailers across the nation. Their clients include Starbucks, Panera Bread, and Macy’s along with many Rhode Island businesses such as the Capital Grill and Mills Tavern restaurants, the Westin Hotel and Dimeo Construction.

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. The FSC was established in 1993 as a response to concerns over global deforestation. FSC is widely regarded as one of the most important initiatives of the last decade to promote responsible forest management worldwide. The COC tracks FSC certified material through the production process - from the forest to the consumer- including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution.

In conjunction with Monarch’s Continuous Improvement initiative (an improvement program Toyota is well known for, also known as LEAN), FSC COC Certification is another step the company has taken towards a greener, more sustainable environment.

Michael Friedman, President and CEO of Monarch Industries stated, “Although Monarch is a manufacturer, first and foremost, we are a service company. We are focused on meeting and exceeding the dynamic needs of our clientele and our environment. Along with our commitment to waste reduction through our Lean training and implementation, our green initiatives are reducing costs to our customers and our impact on our community and the environment. With the recognition of the FSC’s Chain of Custody Certification, Monarch can participate fully in our client’s environmental stewardship through LEED building project certification.”