Miami, FL – The International Wood Flooring Products Association recognized Cikel America with its “Environmental Excellence” award on April 29, 2010, at the Association’s 54th Annual Convention held on Miami Beach at the Eden Roc, A Renaissance Beach Resort & Spa. Through a membership-wide vote including industry leaders from more than 30 countries, the IWPA selected Cikel America for its ongoing commitment to the environment through corporate social responsibility. This dedication to the community and sustainable building was manifested by the exotic Brazilian hardwood manufacturer’s major donation to the Studio 804 graduate-level design-build program at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Planning.

Cikel America represents the United States arm of the Brazil-based parent organization, one of the world’s largest vertically-integrated exotic hardwood products manufacturers. With seven different certificates from the Forest Stewardship Council including Chain of Custody from the forest to the floor, Cikel America played a critical role in the UK Studio 804 design-build of the very first LEED for Homes Platinum-level residence in the state of Kansas. Through its local distributor for the Kansas City, Kansas, region, The Masters Craft, Cikel America donated 22,000 lineal feet of its FSC, SCS-CoC exotic Brazilian Cumaru. The students of Studio 804 used the Cikel America Cumaru as the exterior rainscreen veneer for the entire 2,500 square foot, four-bedroom home. In addition, Cikel America donated 1,350 square feet of its signature exotic Brazilian Cherry for the interior floors on the second level and the stair treads leading up.

“We certainly would like to thank the IWPA for taking a look at what we do, how we do it, and recognizing Cikel with this award,” said Gerry Schappell, vice president in charge of sales for Cikel America. “This is an entire company that’s dedicated to sustainability. Social responsibility is who we are. Cikel was started this way, and will always be this way. The products are not just about price. Cikel products add value and the whole process is about the long-term. It’s about pointing people in the right direction on how to be greener, and how to be in compliance with all of the new rules. It’s kind of like a new beginning for the hardwood industry. And Cikel has every intention of continuing to be a leading voice on the importance of being socially responsible and protecting one of our greatest natural resources. Hopefully, we’ll be recognized by the IWPA again in the future with another award.”

As one of the world’s largest vertically-integrated hardwood flooring manufacturer’s, Cikel’s willingness to embrace its role and acknowledge its responsibility to the environment provides value that extends far beyond just supplying high-quality, Lacey Act-compliant products. Cikel America consistently delivers exotic Brazilian hardwood flooring to wholesale distributors throughout the United States, ensuring dealers as well as end users are in compliance with all Lacey Act amendments and import/export regulations. More importantly, Cikel has 1.2 million acres of privately-owned and FSC managed forests in Brazil. By properly managing these native forests, the local flora and fauna, Cikel helps protect one of our greatest natural resources while promoting healthy air and stabilizing the global climate. The vast rainforests of Brazil are at the core of the debate on global warming and central to the control of carbon emissions the world over. Cikel is leading the way in the sustainable management of the Brazil forests and here in America, proudly serves as the responsible choice for top quality exotic hardwood flooring.

Cikel has 1.2 million acres of privately owned and FSC managed forests in Brazil. The firm has an ongoing commitment in making technological advancements and investments to Total Quality Control from the forest-to-the-floor… and, to maintain competitiveness within the global marketplace both today and tomorrow. Cikel America is a member of the National Wood Flooring Association and the Forest Stewardship Council. For more information, please contact Cikel America LLC – 8300 NW 53rd. St., Miami, Florida 33166 - 1.800.971.7896 - www.cikel.com.