Built By Newport

Vermont-based Built By Newport creates beautiful solid wood chairs and accent tables that are built to last.

Built By Newport was founded in 1963 on the scenic shores of Lake Memphremagog in Vermont, just a few miles south of Canada. Nearly 30 years later, the chair parts manufacturing business was transformed when the second generation stepped in. Dave Laforce and his uncle, Larry Daigneault, two nice guys with French-Canadian roots, each give the other credit for the courage it took to build their business into the successful woodworking company it is today. When most U.S. chair makers were closing down due to overseas manufacturing, Built By Newport invested in technology to automate design and chair-part-making processes for efficiency, freeing them up to focus on their passion: creating artisan-crafted furniture that is made to last.

Solid wood chair parts are produced using state-of-the-art machinery.

So much goes into creating Built By Newport's heirloom-quality designs. Chairs, for example, must balance strength, angles and, most importantly, comfort. "A chair can look great, but the 'sit' is key—it is always hand-done," says Laforce, noting that they actually sit in every chair during final design development and make tiny adjustments until it feels just right. This approach is an example of the natural affinity Built By Newport shares with Room & Board through collaboration and commitment to lasting value. Once the design is complete, solid wood parts are produced on state-of-the-art machinery that produces variances less than the thickness of a piece of paper. Finally, craftspeople assemble, sand and finish each piece using traditional woodworking techniques that pay homage to Vermont's ancient forests.

Building chairs to last a lifetime requires hands-on work.

Built By Newport embraces a culture of preservation. The company uses responsibly sourced lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and reduces its environmental impact by using technology to prevent waste, making forms out of scrap wood and donating sawdust to local farmers for animal bedding. But perhaps their strongest commitment is reflected in their dedication to their community, by continuing the traditions that represent an enduring way of life in the U.S.