Gibson Guitars has announced it is working with the Rainforest Alliance as it seeks to improve wood sourcing following last year’s raid on its Nashville factory for allegedly violating the Lacey Act.
The manufacturer was raided by US Fish & Wildlife Service agents last year as part of an investigation into use of rosewood from Madagascar. The investigation into the legality of the wood is still pending.
Gibson said it is taking steps to ensure the company’s entire supply chain comes from legal sources and will work with the Rainforest Alliance toward eventually sourcing its wood entirely from FSC-certified forests.
Gibson said its efforts towards more sustainable sourcing of wood began 10 years ago, but the recent widening of the US Lacey act to include wood imports had “increased the urgency of these efforts”.
“Securing FSC-certified supply is critical for Gibson, but also must be accompanied by a clear commitment to eliminating any volume, no matter how small, of illegal wood that may contaminate its supply chain,” it said.
Gibson’s new sourcing initiative includes banning future purchases of ebony or rosewood from Madagascar and identifying potentially illegal or unsustainable sources.
It is also establishing a baseline of its entire supply chain, a commitment to sourcing FSC-certified or verified legal wood, sourcing from alternative sources including the use of composite materials and recycled woods, and the appointment of an individual to lead Gibson’s wood sourcing initiatives globally.
Gibson is already testing new composite materials and alternative species for use in electric and acoustic guitar fret boards.
