Cikel America was recently honored by the International Wood Flooring Products Association with an “Environmental Excellence” award. The IWPA selected Cikel America for its ongoing commitment to the environment through corporate social responsibility.

“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, vp 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.”

Cikel America recently played a critical role in the Studio 804 design-build of the very first LEED for Homes Platinum residence in the state of Kansas, completed through the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Through its local distributor for the Kansas City, Kans., area, 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 sq. ft., four-bedroom home. In addition, Cikel America donated 1,350 sq. ft. of its signature exotic Brazilian Cherry for the interior floors on the second level and the stair treads leading up.

Cikel America is the United States arm of the Brazil-based parent organization, one of the world’s largest vertically integrated exotic hardwood products manufacturers. The company holds seven certificates from the Forest Stewardship Council including Chain of Custody from the forest to the floor. For more information visit www.cikel.com.