Two longtime customers of American Seating - NFI Group Inc. and GILLIG LLC - formed a 50/50 joint venture earlier this year called GR Seating LLC, which acquired American Seating in a transaction finalized Tuesday.
The new owners say they will maintain Grand Rapids operations along with the American Seating name and continue the current contract with UAW Local 135, which represents 170 employees.
In a statement, American Seating Chairman Ed Clark said that the “capital infusion will enable the company to complete the move to the new headquarters in 2026 and focus on continued growth and innovation.” The company has been in the process of relocating its longtime headquarters from Grand Rapids’ west side to a former Steelcase property on the south side near 44th and Eastern.
American Seating was founded in 1886 as Grand Rapids School Furniture. It was the first manufacturer to produce a combined student desk-chair. The company’s name was changed to American Seating in 1906.
For a weekly dose of news right to your inbox, sign up for the WGVU newsletter.
