Why Trendway is asking employees to volunteer 50 hours

HOLLAND, MI -- Trendway is marking its 50th anniversary with a Give 50 Challenge.

The Holland furniture maker is asking employees to log 50 hours of community service in 2018.

While there will be opportunities to take part in company volunteer outings, the majority of those volunteer hours are expected to be logged during workers' personal time.

Asking workers to donate what amounts to more than a work week of their time might be an issue at some companies, but apparently not at the employee-owned manufacturer.

"One of Trendway's special qualities that continues to support our success is not directly related to manufacturing office furniture," said Mark Kinsler, Trendway president. "We have an exceptional culture of caring and community outreach."

He says some employees are already exceeding 50 hours of volunteerism per year.

As part of the Give 50 Challenge, employees can donate their time to traditional Trendway charities like Hope Lodge, the annual Trendway Cruise-In Benefit, and Angel Tree for foster children in Ottawa County. They also have the option to take part in relief efforts, environmental stewardship or any charitable cause.

"If everyone rallies behind the Give 50 Challenge, we anticipate some impressive results - both in total hours of service and of impact to the greater Holland community," Kinsler said.

The majority of the company's 325 employees work at Trendway's headquarters and manufacturing plant at 13467 Quincy St. in Holland Township.

Participation in the Give 50 Challenge isn't mandatory, but hours will be counted toward a $50 reward in the company's wellness program.

Trendway makes office furniture including panel systems, filing, storage, casegoods, seating, and architectural products such as moveable walls. Some of its products are carried by retailers Costco and Wayfair.

The office furniture manufacturer was launched April 15, 1968 as a maker of moveable walls and partitions. Five years later, the Heeringa family purchased the company, and in 1976 acquired the floor-to-ceiling partition business from Haworth, then known as Modern Partitions, according to the company's website. 

While the Heeringa family remains a majority shareholder, the company became a 25 percent employee-owned company in 2006.