Grand Rapid’s American Seating is in the process of selling its iconic stadium seating division.
That potential sale would include the downsizing of its workforce.
A Letter of Intent to sell has been signed by American Seating and Irwin Seating Company.
American Seating is a world leader in transportation seating and it wants to focus on growth opportunities there. Stadium seating, known in the industry as Architectural Fixed Seating has become a seasonal business. The company says that poses “operational challenges.”
A sale to Irwin Seating makes sense. In a news release it explains it’s a world leader in audience seating for movie theatres, auditoriums, arenas, performing arts centers, stadiums and places of worship and it’s also headquartered in Grand Rapids.
The transition will impact some of American Seating’s 400 workers. About 80 of them will be without jobs. Perhaps temporarily, Irwin Seating will need to increase its workforce to produce Architectural Fixed Seating acquired in the deal that both companies hope to close in March.
Patrick Center, WGVU News.