Lifestyle Designer Operates First Industrial Building in China to Exclusively Employ Energy-Efficient Hydronic Radiant Heating; Uses Expansive Skylights that Reduce Energy Consumption by Nearly Half

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- California contemporary lifestyle design company Maria Yee, Inc. today announced the opening of its newest manufacturing campus in Hunan-the first industrial facility in China to exclusively employ energy-efficient hydronic radiant heating. The state-of-the-art facility, among the first in the country equipped to handle environmentally-friendly water-based finishes, also maximizes a series of expansive skylights to cut energy consumption by nearly half.

The company's hydronic system circulates water heated by low-emission boilers through a series of pipes. It eliminates the exhaust associated with forced-air heating systems and requires significantly less energy to heat the 350,000 square-foot factory, equivalent to seven football fields in size. Fourteen skylights-each more than 420 feet long-flood the factory with enough natural luminescence to eliminate the need for electrical lighting throughout the day, even when the weather is overcast. At night, energy-efficient light bulbs are used. As a result, the factory conserves 43 percent of the energy it would normally consume using electrical lighting.

The installation of skylights and hydronic radiant heating-considered a renewable energy by the U.S. Department of Energy-demonstrates Maria Yee's steadfast commitment to using ecologically responsible practices in every aspect of its business. It is further evidence of Maria Yee's environmental leadership in crafting home furnishings centered around EcoLuxury(TM) -- luxury that is ecologically responsible.

"A truly green product is not merely the outcome of its raw materials. It undergoes a complete process guided by daily environmental principles," said Peter Yee, chief executive officer of Maria Yee, Inc. "Employing hydronic radiant heating on such a large scale and innovatively using natural light in lieu of man-made power is part of our ongoing commitment to minimize the impact on Earth to create EcoLuxury."

The Hunan campus is also one of the first in China equipped to handle water-based finishes. Maria Yee's innovative finishing technique involves an eco-friendly, proprietary multi-step process. It reduces the amount of harmful volatile organic compounds released into the atmosphere and is superior in quality to most other alternatives. The water-based finish reveals a matte sheen, a welcome contemporary aesthetic over traditional glossy finishes and lacquers.

From the innovative use of sustainable and renewable natural resources to a commitment to green manufacturing, Maria Yee's pioneering mindset distinguishes her from other designers. The company voluntarily sets a standard to verify products meet specific criteria before claiming environmental benefits. All Maria Yee products are certified to comply with this standard and therefore permitted to carry the Eco label, an environmental label standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to help consumers identify products that lessen the impact on the environment.

The Hunan facility is the latest example of the high standards Maria Yee uses in its production practices, making them among the most environmentally friendly in today's manufacturing platforms.

"Our new campus upholds our dedication to not only producing quality pieces for interior design," Yee added, "but ensuring the sustainability of the Earth for generations to come."

About Maria Yee Inc.

Maria Yee, Inc. is a lifestyle design company, offering uniquely crafted California contemporary home furnishings through the use of pure joinery and inventive materials such as BambooTimbre(TM). Acclaimed for her clean line design, Maria Yee's creative bamboo furniture, handcrafted in her patent-pending BambooTimbre and BambooJoinery(TM) system, is one of the most innovative, renewable new products. Headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA with manufacturing campuses in China, Maria Yee distributes bamboo, solid hardwood and leather furniture and home accessories to retailers and design showrooms nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www.mariayee.com/ or call (831) 457-2900.

Source: Maria Yee, Inc.

CONTACT: Erin Musgrave of Maria Yee Inc., +1-831-457-2900, erin@mariayee.com

Web site: http://www.mariayee.com/