Dublin resident, Larry Tracewell has taken the idea of environmentally friendly products to the next step. His Central Ohio-based company, Caretta Desks, offers customers a large selection of customized office furniture not only created in an eco-sensitive way, but with built-in, innovative solutions inspired by Mother Nature herself.

The business, named after the Caretta sea turtle, makes desks with an internal laptop cooling system that operates using temperature-controlled fans. This idea came from looking at the animal’s cooling method; it delves into the ocean floor to lower its body temperature.

“The green aspect is important. It is something the company was founded upon,” says Andy Tracewell, a second-generation Caretta worker.

To further the company's cause, a percentage of each desk sale is donated to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to help protect and care for its Caretta turtle, which is an endangered species. The company also only uses wood from managed forests, low VOC wipe-on stain finish, powder coated metal and even recycled delivery boxes. While Caretta Desks focus somewhat on environmentally-friendly production, functionality shares the bright spotlight.

All Caretta office furniture, which ranges from desks to wall shelves, was designed to help professionals manage and maintain both a clean and stylish office. Because the desks give people the ability to lock up laptops and valuables, customers can rest easy knowing their most important and prized possessions will be safe.

“You can’t find this anywhere else. The cable management systems are not available at other place. You can completely wire up your desk with a large number of longer printer, fax machine and speaker cords – everything one can think of, and there are no visible cables.” Tracewell says.

Additionally, the desks are easy to assemble, he says. Most pieces require almost no time to put together. The desks are usually shipped in only two separate pieces.

Caretta Desks, which recently opened at 635 Enterprise Dr. in Lewis Center, hopes to sell more than 3,000 desks this year. The company’s products can also be viewed online, which allows for customers to get a feel for what is available.

 For more details about Caretta Desks visit www.carettadesks.com.