At JANUS et Cie, we cultivate hope for the future by embracing diversity, protecting our environment, and creating economic value. With the goal of integrating sustainability within the business, we started a voluntary journey together with our Haworth Lifestyle sister companies in 2022. By taking part in the sustainability journey, we can determine the risks and opportunities arising from the positive and negative impacts on the economy, the environment, and our people.
The JANUS et Cie Sustainability Plan
In 2022, the JANUS et Cie Sustainability Committee developed a Sustainability Plan which defines actions and targets to be achieved in relation to each material topic. The Committee also collaborates with Haworth Lifestyle’s Sustainability Leaders Working Group on common projects such as the Haworth Lifestyle Sustainability Strategy, the Haworth Group Sustainability reporting, the Greenhouse Gas and Science Based Targets Project, as well as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative.
The JANUS et Cie Sustainability Plan includes both quantitative and qualitative objectives, which represent short, medium, and long-term commitments, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. Through this plan, we have made it our mission to focus on four sustainability pillars: Environment, People, Product, and Society.
JANUS et Cie will continue to focus on the core values we share with Haworth and our sister brands: we listen to our clients, we rely on our members, we honor integrity, we embrace continuous learning, we lead with design, we create value, and we work to make the world better.
Our Commitment to Responsible Sourcing
Commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability is intricately woven into every facet of our product development process. Our furnishings are made from the highest quality components and are built to endure a range of environmental elements.
In 2023, JANUS et Cie completed a thorough assessment of its business sustainability practices through EcoVadis, the global standard for business sustainability ratings. The EcoVadis assessment includes sustainability criteria across four core themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. As a result of the evaluation, JANUS et Cie achieved Silver EcoVadis Sustainability Rating, placing the company in the 86th percentile globally.
JANUS et Cie offers a diverse catalog of over 6,000 pieces, each design distinguished in concept and form while keeping the environment top-of-mind. We are dedicated to providing beautiful yet functional products through mindful methods and sustainable materials that stand the test of time.
- We promote renewable resources through the use of sustainably sourced premium plantation grown teak (in 2023, 80% of our teak products were sustainably sourced, purchasing SVLK or FSC certified teak). Look for our FSC® – certified products, our trademark license code is FSC-C002821.
- Our products’ aluminum frames are made with approximately 10% recycled content and are 100% recyclable at the end of the product lifecycle; they are powder coated using low-emission technology, which do not emit VOCs
- Our proprietary handwoven JANUSfiber® is made from high-density polyethylene and is 100% recyclable, colorfast, UV-resistant, stain-resistant, and suitable for a range of environments and temperatures
- Our textiles are primarily produced from solution-dyed acrylics, resisting stains and fading
- Over 90% of JANUS et Cie seating products are tested using external verification and safety assessments including durability and structural performance tests in accordance with renowned standards such as BIFMA. In 2023, BIFMA product testing was conducted for all seating products in new JANUS et Cie collections launched during the year
Finally, we participate annually in the MindClick Sustainability Assessment Program (MSAP). The assessment program evaluates products based on their operational footprint, with environmental and social metrics such as energy, carbon and water reduction, and labor and human rights. The program also measures metrics such as the carbon footprint of product use and distribution, recyclability, as well as the use of sustainable materials and avoidance of high-risk chemicals. In 2023, JANUS et Cie was evaluated by MindClick for over 1,600 products and was ranked Leader in 5 out of the 8 product families it was assessed on, while also ranking Achiever in 3 other product families.
Empowering a Flourishing & Diverse Workforce
Here at JANUS et Cie, we value our people, and we are dedicated to cultivating talent while attracting new talent. Continuous learning is a fundamental value at JANUS et Cie.
At the heart of our organization are the people who avidly contribute to the company’s initiatives and projects. To further support our employees, we have created a Diversity & Inclusion (DE&I) team, which has gained significant interest since its introduction in 2022. Through this initiative, it is our goal to foster and sustain diversity, equity, and inclusion of our members.
In 2023, the company launched its inaugural internship program within the Product Development department. We also have select members partake in the Management Development Program promoted by Haworth, as well as Haworth’s Aspiring Leader Program.
Over the year, JANUS et Cie has welcomed close to 50 new members, with an incoming turnover rate of 14%.
I invite you to review our 2023 Sustainability Report, which outlines our ongoing objectives and our recent accomplishments. We look forward to continuing to improve our approach so that we can leave a positive impact on tomorrow.