1886 1885 1899 1888 1889 1892 1893 1930s 1920s Early 1900s All offices are consolidated in Grand Rapids. The Transportation Division manufactures the first all-tubular-steel-framed seats used in buses. American Seating Company manufactures and installs new seating for Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, the beginning of a long relationship with the famous ballpark. American Seating Company renovates and modernizes its Grand Rapids facilities on Broadway Avenue.
Beginning in 1887, much of the seating for churches involves intricate wood carving; the company becomes known for its master carvers and beautiful craftsmanship. 1886 On January 5, Perkins, Hess and Peregrine, with 50 employees, open a factory at the corner of Prescott and Ionia streets in Grand Rapids to manufacture school and office furniture. The first product is a cast-iron and maple- wood student desk-and-chair unit. This unprecedented combination revolutionizes classroom seating. 1899 Grand Rapids School Furniture Company changes its name to American School Furniture Company. The company acquires 18 of the largest seating and furniture manufacturing companies in the United States. These companies expand American School Furniture Company’s holdings from the Midwest to the East Coast, with offices located in New York and Chicago. 1905 Earnings through 1905 total $1.2 million. The company purchases additional properties in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. 1906 The company changes its name to American Seating Company, and offices move from New York back to Grand Rapids. 1888 Grand Rapids School Furniture Company buys seven acres on Broadway Avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets on Grand Rapids’ northwest side. The company constructs a 70,000-square-foot factory and moves in on August 1. Increasing its workforce to 350 employees, the company becomes the biggest manufacturer of its kind in the city. 1911 The company opens a steel plant and begins production of the 101 Desk. Made of steel tubing, the desk is a first of its kind. So many are made that, pundits say, they could be lined up and stretch from Grand Rapids to Los Angeles and then 180 miles beyond into the Pacific Ocean. 1912 American Seating Company manufactures and installs new seating for Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, the beginning of a long relationship with the famous ballpark. 1909 American Seating Company manufactures and installs seating at Forbes Field for the Pittsburgh Pirates – the company’s first foray into baseball seating. 1910 Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox, opens with 32,000 American Seating Company seats. The ballpark adds more seats in 1927. 1914 American Seating Company manufactures and installs seating for the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field. Some of the original seats will last into the next millennium, a testament to the durability and quality of the company’s product. 1889 The company officially enters the entertainment seating market by furnishing the Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado, and the McPherson Opera House in McPherson, Kansas. 1885 In this year, the Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor, the first skyscraper (10 stories) is built in Chicago and during a Grand Rapids, Michigan, school board meeting, a light-bulb moment redefines educational environments for the century to follow. At this meeting, business and school board leaders Gaius W. Perkins, William T. Hess and Seymour W. Peregrine sit in the very seats that students use during the school day. Shifting constantly to get comfortable, they determine the seats that school children sit in are poorly designed – and they resolve to do better. This is the beginning of American Seating. 1887 On May 8, the founders incorporate Grand Rapids School Furniture Company. Building on its immediate success in schools, the company expands into seating for churches and other public venues. Much of the seating for churches involves intricate wood carving; the company becomes known for its master carvers and beautiful craftsmanship. Early 1900s With the increased popularity of vaudeville and then motion pictures, theater seating becomes American Seating Company’s primary product. The company is deluged with orders, and many orders are for 299 chairs per venue. The reason: Theaters with more than 299 chairs required a theater license and special fire permits. 1922 American Seating Company provides the seats for The Ohio State University’s football stadium. 1927 Hollywood spreads across America and everyone’s going to the movies. The nation’s theaters, grand “movie palaces,” require elaborate seating to complement ornate décor. Entertainment moguls of the day Marcus Loew, William Fox and others engage American Seating Company for seats. Theater seating installations boom with major contracts with the Loew’s Theatre and Fox Theatre chains. American Seating Company moves all manufacturing operations to Grand Rapids. 1923 American Seating Company makes the seats in the original Yankee Stadium, home of the New York Yankees. 1926 American Seating Company renovates and modernizes its Grand Rapids facilities on Broadway Avenue. 1930s The company designs the Bodiform ® end standard to add affordable design décor to theater seats at a time when money can’t be spent on splendor. The innovation is such a success that the end standard remains a popular part of American Seating’s portfolio. The company develops the first ¾-fold indoor-outdoor seat so spectators can move easily through aisles and into seats. 1931 All offices are consolidated in Grand Rapids. The Transportation Division manufactures the first all-tubular-steel-framed seats used in buses. 1936 The company begins manufacturing tank seats for military operations. 1937 From years 1927 to 1937, the company reports earnings of $2.5 million, and exits the Great Depression in a strong financial position. 1892 Grand Rapids School Furniture Company ranks as the top seating manufacturer in the world, producing more seats than any other manufacturer (81,000 to date). 1893 The company designs and delivers the world’s first tilt-back opera chair. 1932 American Seating Company manufactures and installs new seating for the upper deck of Fenway Park. Our Early Years 1886-1940 1920s Dr. Henry Eastman Bennett’s research results in the design of the company’s Universal and Envoy lines for the education market.
Transcript
Beginning in 1887, much of the seating for churches involves intricate wood carving; the company becomes known for its master carvers and beautiful craftsmanship.
1886On January 5, Perkins, Hess and Peregrine, with 50 employees, open a factory at the corner of Prescott and Ionia streets in Grand Rapids to manufacture school and office furniture.
The first product is a cast-iron and maple-wood student desk-and-chair unit. This unprecedented combination revolutionizes classroom seating.
1899 Grand Rapids School Furniture Company changes its name to American School Furniture Company. The company acquires 18 of the largest seating and furniture manufacturing companies in the United States. These companies expand American School Furniture Company’s holdings from the Midwest to the East Coast, with offices located in New York and Chicago.
1905Earnings through 1905 total $1.2 million. The company purchases additional properties in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest.
1906The company changes its name to American Seating Company, and offices move from New York back to Grand Rapids.
1888Grand Rapids School Furniture Company buys seven acres on Broadway Avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets on Grand Rapids’ northwest side. The company constructs a 70,000-square-foot factory and moves in on August 1. Increasing its workforce to 350 employees, the company becomes the biggest manufacturer of its kind in the city.
1911The company opens a steel plant and begins production of the 101 Desk. Made of steel tubing, the desk is a first of its kind. So many are made that, pundits say, they could be lined up and stretch from Grand Rapids to Los Angeles and then 180 miles beyond into the Pacific Ocean.
1912American Seating Company manufactures and installs new seating for Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, the beginning of a long relationship with the famous ballpark.
1909American Seating Company manufactures and installs seating at Forbes Field for the Pittsburgh Pirates – the company’s first foray into baseball seating.
1910Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox, opens with 32,000 American Seating Company seats. The ballpark adds more seats in 1927.
1914American Seating Company manufactures and installs seating for the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field. Some of the original seats will last into the next millennium, a testament to the durability and quality of the company’s product.
1889The company officially enters the entertainment seating market by furnishing the Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado, and the McPherson Opera House in McPherson, Kansas.
1885In this year, the Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor, the first skyscraper (10 stories) is built in Chicago and during a Grand Rapids, Michigan, school board meeting, a light-bulb moment redefines educational environments for the century to follow.
At this meeting, business and school board leaders Gaius W. Perkins, William T. Hess and Seymour W. Peregrine sit in the very seats that students use during the school day. Shifting constantly to get comfortable, they determine the seats that school children sit in are poorly designed – and they resolve to do better. This is the beginning of American Seating.
1887On May 8, the founders incorporate Grand Rapids School Furniture Company. Building on its immediate success in schools, the company expands into seating for churches and other public venues.
Much of the seating for churches involves intricate wood carving; the company becomes known for its master carvers and beautiful craftsmanship.
Early 1900sWith the increased popularity of vaudeville and then motion pictures, theater seating becomes American Seating Company’s primary product. The company is deluged with orders, and many orders are for 299 chairs per venue. The reason: Theaters with more than 299 chairs required a theater license and special fire permits.
1922American Seating Company provides the seats for The Ohio State University’s football stadium.
1927Hollywood spreads across America and everyone’s going to the movies. The nation’s theaters, grand “movie palaces,” require elaborate seating to complement ornate décor. Entertainment moguls of the day Marcus Loew, William Fox and others engage American Seating Company for seats. Theater seating installations boom with major contracts with the Loew’s Theatre and Fox Theatre chains.
American Seating Company moves all manufacturing operations to Grand Rapids.
1923American Seating Company makes the seats in the original Yankee Stadium, home of the New York Yankees.
1926American Seating Company renovates and modernizes its Grand Rapids facilities on Broadway Avenue.
1930sThe company designs the Bodiform® end standard to add affordable design décor to theater seats at a time when money can’t be spent on splendor. The innovation is such a success that the end standard remains a popular part of American Seating’s portfolio.
The company develops the first ¾-fold indoor-outdoor seat so spectators can move easily through aisles and into seats.
1931All offices are consolidated in Grand Rapids.
The Transportation Division manufactures the first all-tubular-steel-framed seats used in buses.
1936The company begins manufacturing tank seats for military operations.
1937From years 1927 to 1937, the company reports earnings of $2.5 million, and exits the Great Depression in a strong financial position.
1892Grand Rapids School Furniture Company ranks as the top seating manufacturer in the world, producing more seats than any other manufacturer (81,000 to date).
1893The company designs and delivers the world’s first tilt-back opera chair.
1932American Seating Company manufactures and installs new seating for the upper deck of Fenway Park.
Our Early Years 1886-19401920sDr. Henry Eastman Bennett’s research results in the design of the company’s Universal and Envoy lines for the education market.
1944Production at American Seating Company has increased since the war’s inception, and employment stands at 1,000. Ninety percent of the company’s manufactured goods support the U.S. Military.
During this time, the company produces 10,000 folding chairs per day, ultimately making 5 million chairs for the military. A running joke at the time: “We’re in charge of seating the standing army.”
1941With the United States’ entry into World War II, American Seating Company converts much of its production to seating and other products for the military.
1960The company announces it will enter the health care market. Recognizing radical changes in patient safety, care, comfort and rehabilitation, American Seating Company designs an entirely new hospital bed system and complementary furniture.
To accommodate the new market, a vast manufacturing facility covering 41 acres is constructed near the site of today’s American Seating Park. An onsite foundry, pictured above, enables American Seating to cast its own iron.
The company begins producing motorcoach seating.
1970The company begins manufacturing seating for rail cars.
American Seating launches the Stellar® chair for the Education and Entertainment markets.
American Seating Company coauthors the White Book, a widely used publication that provides procurement guidelines and technical specifications for the transportation industry.
The company makes and installs the seats for Mickey Mouse Music Hall at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
1973The company develops the first fiberglass transportation seat with quick-release, replaceable onserts.
1971The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts opens in Washington, D.C., filled with American Seating chairs.
1955On December 1 in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks makes history by refusing to relinquish her bus seat which was was made by American Seating Company.
The company updates the seating in the Detroit Tigers Stadium.
1974The company replaces the seats at Yankee Stadium in New York.
American Seating Company designs and installs one of the first automated part-transfer systems in the nation; the new seat-pan stamping presses expand capacity to 1,500 finished parts per 8-hour shift.
Transportation seating sales hit an all-time high.
American Seating Company provides the seats for the Wings Hockey Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The company releases the Acton® chair. The iconic seat becomes one of the best-selling stacking chairs of all time.
1950sThe company begins manufacturing modular-classroom and lab furniture.
1945Between 1937 and 1945, American Seating Company’s net worth increases to $6.7 million.
The company installs new seats for Yankee Stadium in New York.
1947 American Seating Company begins manufacturing seats for urban transit buses – today called city-service buses.
President Harry S. Truman enjoys a baseball game in Kansas City in an American Seating seat.
1958American Seating Company becomes the first to develop outdoor, blow-molded plastic seats after Dutch elm disease destroys most of the nation’s elm trees. The first installation with this new technology is the Los Angeles Coliseum.
1969The company develops the transportation industry’s first cantilevered bus seat, an innovation that increases the comfort and cleanliness of bus seating.
By the end of the decade, American Seating Company has established itself as the leading manufacturer of transit seating – a position the company holds to this day.
1977American Seating Company enters the office furniture market. The company begins producing a flexible and functional interior furniture system designed to respond to human ergonomic needs and workplace functionality.
American Seating becomes the first to make office wall panels with removable inserts.
The company becomes the leading developer of restraint systems for the transportation industry, before the implementation of any formalized Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
1980The Minnesota Vikings complete a new stadium outfitted entirely with American Seating seats.
1975The company develops the industry’s first stainless-steel seat for use in buses.
Building On A Diverse History 1941-1980
1947 - President Harry S. Truman enjoys a baseball game in Kansas City in an American Seating seat.
• PartsfortheAT-21BomberTrainer and M5 Bomb Trailer
• Backpacksfortroops
• Woodcomponentsforglidersused for D-Day invasion
1962 American Seating chairs are installed in the New York State Theater (now called the David H. Koch Theater) at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City.
From the collections of The Henry Ford.
2011 - The introduction of the Core™ seat utilizes state of the art equipment and incorporates 60% post consumer waste in its design.
1987Ed Clark and a group of private investors purchase American Seating Company from Fuqua, Inc.
1988American Seating Company develops vandal- and cut-resistant seat cushion inserts, enabling upholstered seating in public transportation. Buses in New York City and Chicago boast the first such seating.
The Dimension® chair launches in the Education and Sports Markets.
1995The company builds a new transportation plant on Seward Avenue, expanding the American Seating campus footprint on Grand Rapids’ northwest side. The 175,000-square-foot plant opens the following year.
The company unveils Framework Access® panels for use in office systems.
2001American Seating Company unveils its Accuwerks and Whirl tables.
The company provides seats for Miller Park, home of the Milwaukee Brewers.
2002Metropolitan® transit seating is introduced to the City Bus and Light Rail Markets.
The company releases the Acton® caster base and stool.
2003American Seating Company reinvests in its roots and renovates its campus on Grand Rapids’ northwest side. Historic buildings are preserved while contemporary living and working environments are created. The area becomes known as American Seating Park.
The company releases the Spirit® seat.
2004U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, replaces all seats with American Seating product after only 13 years with a competitor’s seats.
2005American Seating Company provides new seats for Quicken Loans Arena, (formerly Gund Arena), home of the Cleveland Cavaliers. American Seating chairs replace a competitor’s seats, installed in 1994.
2008American Seating Company debuts Vision®. Inspired by InSight®, the seat meets the needs of bus and rail transit agencies looking for product specifically engineered for aesthetics and superior vandal resistance.
The company’s Focus® Fixed Lecture product revolutionizes the college and university market.
2006This year is big for baseball: The company produces seats for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the St. Louis Cardinals, the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the Iowa City Cubs and the Traverse City Beach Bums. All told, 140,000 seats are made, shipped and installed.
American Seating Company develops the InSight® bus seat, which offers the largest personal sitting area in the industry. The seat becomes the best-selling bus seat in the world.
The Majestic® chair is introduced to capture the grandeur of a bygone theater era.
2009American Seating releases Premier®, a motorcoach seat that revolutionizes safety. Greyhound is the first to install the seats in its motorcoaches.
American Seating installs seats at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida.
American Seating takes part in a historic renovation of the beloved Fenway Park, replicating original wood seats with new technology.
Federal stimulus grants increase contracts for bus seating.
InSight® is selected for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games SkyTrain in Vancouver.
2010The Rally Chair is released as a telescopic platform seating solution.
The University of Michigan selects American Seating for new club seating as part of major renovation of “The Big House” football stadium.
The new Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey – home to both the New York Jets and Giants – receives American Seating seats.
2011 The company launches the Core™ chair, a cost-effective auditorium solution.
American Seating is the leading manufacturer of mass transit passenger seating with seats in every major city in America, from Los Angeles to New York, and Grand Rapids.
The famous Kiel (Peabody) Opera House renovation project includes custom American Seating chairs.
American Seating celebrates its 125th anniversary.
1983American Seating Company is purchased by Fuqua, Inc. based in Atlanta.
1984The company introduces energy-absorbing plastic grab-rails atop bus seats for added passenger safety.
1981American Seating Company releases the Bio® chair, a customizable, caster-base office chair.
1985The Fox Theatre in Atlanta selects nearly 3,000 American Seating Company seats for a major renovation.
The company purchases Otaco, a transit seating manufacturer based in Canada.
2000The company introduces its Credence and Brilliance tables, Framework Segway panels and the Transportation Recliner Series.
Providing Innovative Solutions 1981 - Present
1998American Seating Company provides the seats for the Detroit Tigers’ new stadium, Comerica Park.
American Seating also provides the seating for Pac Bell Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, and Minute Maid Park (then called Enron Field), home of the Houston Astros.
American Seating helps to complete M&T Bank Stadium for the Baltimore Ravens, including a hinged-arm stadium chair to accommodate disabled patrons.
The company releases the Oz chair and the 408 Stadium Chair.
1999American Seating Company helps to renovate The Ohio State University Buckeyes’ “The Horseshoe” Stadium with installation of the 408 Stadium Chair.
American Seating Company installs new seats at the Cleveland Browns Stadium.
1996The company introduces the Advanced Restraint Module (A.R.M.®) for mobility aid securement in the transportation market.
Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids installs American Seating products.
1997American Seating Company produces the Framework free-standing desk.
The company introduces the 507 Baseball Chair.
The Santa Fe Opera House selects new American Seating chairs for its renovation.
1994The company releases the Cue® chair for the office market.
1992The company releases the 505 slat back, a blow-molded baseball chair for Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore; the seats evoke a nostalgic ballpark look.
The company develops a quick-release/sliding seat to accommodate mobility aids in transit.
