User:Mikedunphy/SmallCorp

SmallCorp is about a green manufacturer that provides the museum and picture framing industry with archival cases, displays and picture frames

The Small Corporation was founded in 1972 by Van and Molly Wood, and has been located in Greenfield, Massachusetts since 1987. SmallCorp designs, manufactures and installs archival museum exhibit cases and museum quality picture frames. The company is vertically integrated, with the ability to work in acrylic, glass, metal, wood and textiles to create archival and durable exhibit solutions. SmallCorp’s entire process including Design, Manufacturing, Materials, Research & Development, Quality Control and Shipping & Installation is housed in one 36,000 square foot green facility. SmallCorp has standard product lines and also designs custom solutions to meet customers’ specific needs. All products are made in the USA using 100% solar energy.

The Woods are personally committed to conservation and have long made sustainability a part of the company charter. They lecture on archival museum case design and construction in North and South America, and work closely with the conservation community. SmallCorp and its founders are considered collaborators and colleagues within the museum community, for their willingness to share information and resources. They believe this collaboration creates value for clients and for their audiences.

SmallCorp works with museums and related institutions, private collections, professional photographers, museum and exhibit designers and manufacturers, and fine framers.

SmallCorp is a member of American Institute for Conservation, American Association of Museums, New England Museum Association, Washington Conservation Guild and New England Conservation Association.

History

SmallCorp was founded in 1972 by Van and Molly Wood in Newmarket, New Hampshire. The company originally manufactured acrylic boxes and display covers for frame shops, artists and galleries in the Northeastern US. In 1975 welded aluminum frames, hardwood frames and pedestals were added to the line. In 1976 the company built a new manufacturing facility in Berwick, Maine and began to focus on designing and manufacturing exhibit solutions that met the needs of conservators, museums and artists.

In 1987 SmallCorp built a new 36,000 square foot energy efficient building in Greenfield, Massachusetts. In 1990 the company introduced a line of custom-made aluminum honeycomb support panels and microclimate display cases. Hoyt Wood joined the firm in 1991 as Plant Manager.

In 2008 SmallCorp installed a 100Kw photovoltaic system on its roof to supply its electrical power, the culmination of a 20 year process to reduce energy and resource demands. In combination with aggressive conservation measures, this means that Small Corp products are produced with 100% solar electricity.

Green Initiatives The company has long made sustainability a part of its charter. In 2008 Small Corp installed a 100KW photovoltaic system on its roof that supplies all of the facility’s electrical power. Additionally, the company has installed highly efficient lighting and HVAC systems throughout the facility, composts all waste wood and cardboard locally, recycles all excess metal and plastic locally, offers paperless digital catalogs, utilizes only EPA approved Low VOC coatings and finishes, and is home to a bird sanctuary that is frequented by migrating songbirds, wild turkeys, hawks and the occasional owl.