User:Gregaanes/sandbox

History:

Greg Aanes Furniture (GAF) was founded in 1981 by Greg Aanes (born 1955 Memphis Tennessee) in Bellingham, WA. Greg Aanes worked in Aspen, Colorado as a finish carpenter before moving to the Pacific Northwest to pursue a career in furniture design and making. Once in Washington state, Aanes, who had been largely self-taught up till that point, furthered his furniture education in several different workshops.

In 1981, Aanes officially opened Greg Aanes Furniture (GAF). Self-funded, the business started in Whatcom County 7 miles East of Bellingham at 5108 Wahl Rd in a 400 sq ft shop. The location moved in 1984 to a 750 sq ft garage at 990 E Bakerview Rd Bellingham, WA. Aanes, as the sole proprietor and operator added two more woodworkers to his staff as the company continued to grow. GAF incorporated as an S-corporation in 1993. In 1997, 17 years after its initial opening, GAF moved into a 4000 sq ft shop located at 319 E Champion St in downtown Bellingham, WA and employed 5 woodworkers. In 2009, the company was compelled by insufficient space to fit the increasing demand of its products and sales. Doubling in size, GAf moved into a new 8000 sq ft shop located at 2109 Queen St in central Bellingham.

Products:

The first and oldest product is the Brendan Rocker (1986); a handcrafted wooden rocking chair that is made in a variety of different woods. After the Brendan Rocker, production of Pacific dining chairs began (1996), followed by Mission Dining Chairs and Barstools (2000), table production began in 2002 with production increasing to a consistent level in 2009. Since 2009, GAF has added twenty furniture designs.

Management Philosophy:

Lean manufacturing is GAFs guiding light. Team working and problem solving is the culture.

Natural and Human Environment Concerns:

Our human environment is as complex and mirrors our natural environment. Taking care of one takes care of the other. Ignoring one ignores the other. Quick Facts:

1987 - Instrumental in organizing Artwood Gallery in Bellingham, WA.

1994 - Began using CAD (Computer Aided Design)

1995 - When Hawaiian Koa quintupled in price, GAF developed a unique drying system for mango which produced unique coloration.

1996 - Aanes built first CNC router using stepper motors, linear ways, and other components