Storage with attitude: Montana

When it comes to environmental protection, MONTANA is a pioneer in the field – driven not by reasons of marketing, rather the company’s deeply held convictions.

By Montana Furniture, Peter J. Lassen, Joakim Lassen and

Montana Furniture

January 13, 2020 | 11:00 pm CUT

Montana offers 40 environmentally friendly lacquer colours and two veneers – a total of 42 variants – including the rich shade Beetroot seen on the storage units in the foreground

From an environmental point of view, Montana also has a commendable track record. This is inherently evident in the timelessness of its products typified by its storage systems – perennially appealing as practical and aesthetically pleasing designs.

Montana is one of the first Danish businesses to track the cradle-to-grave environmental credentials of its products. Since 2007, it has used water-based lacquer colours, free of harmful solvents. And last year it was awarded the EU Ecolabel for its signature Montana System, Montana System CO16 and Montana Free storage systems, manufactured at the company’s HQ in Haarby on the island of Funen.

For a softer alternative, there are several options of pastels, such as mint-green Caribe, lilac-hued Iris and Camomile, a pale yellow

They are also among the first Danish furniture manufacturers to obtain the EU Ecolabel. The objective of the EU Ecolabel is to reduce the overall environmental impact of activities involved in the production and consumption of goods. The label looks at a product’s entire lifecycle and the environmental problems that can arise along the way – for the benefit of people, the environment and the earth’s resources.

When it comes to product lifespan, Montana is a company that scores highly. Most of their products come with a 10-year guarantee. Montana also provides a replenishment guarantee for discontinued colours and sizes in the Montana storage system and table surfaces for up to 10 years after the colour or size has expired. The replenishment guarantee makes Montana products a sound, long-term investment.

Top: colour-blocking is one striking way to arrange the Montana storage units, thanks to its strong colour contrasts. Above: this complex configuration of Montana units demonstrates that they can be arranged in countless ways

‘Achieving the EU Ecolabel certification is very important to us,’ says Montana’s CEO Joakim Lassen. ‘Montana is one of the first furniture manufacturers in Europe to obtain it because I consider sustainability a key part of our responsibilities as a Danish manufacturer. Companies are no longer judged solely on profit or international rankings but on their carbon footprint.’

The company also holds the ISO 14001 certificate (for standards related to environmental management), the OHSAS 18001 (the occupational health and safety standard) and is a member of the Danish Indoor Climate Label, which documents the emission of chemical compounds from building materials and furniture and fixtures as it relates to indoor air.