Founders of Hickory Springs, Carpenter honored by PFA
The Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) has announced the posthumous induction of two prominent foam industry pioneers and innovators into the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place during the PFA's Spring General Business Meeting last month in Baltimore.
Bob Bush, Sr., one of the Hall of Fame inductees, was a founding father of the Polyurethane Foam Association. He played a pivotal role in the development of the flexible polyurethane foam and furniture industries throughout his 50-year career at Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co., one of the largest polyurethane foam producers in the country.
Accepting the Hall of Fame honor for Bob Bush, Sr., were his sons Bob Bush, Jr., and Jimmy Bush. Both are members of the Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. management team and active members of the U.S. flexible polyurethane foam, furniture and bedding industries.
Also inducted was E. Rhodes Carpenter, founder of one of the world's leading producers of comfort cushioning products. Forbes ranked E.R. Carpenter, commonly known as Carpenter Co., as one of the top 300 largest privately-held companies in the U.S., and one of the few to pass the $1 billion sales mark.
Ed Malechek, president of Carpenter Co.; Myron H. (Bud) Reinhart, retired president of Carpenter Co.; and Ann Day, E. Rhodes Carpenter's step-daughter and president and chair of the board of directors of the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, accepted the Hall of Fame honor on behalf of E. Rhodes Carpenter.
The purpose of the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame, housed virtually at www.pfa.org, is to recognize individuals and corporations who have significantly contributed to the growth and betterment of the flexible polyurethane foam industry in North America.
Bob Bush, Sr., one of the Hall of Fame inductees, was a founding father of the Polyurethane Foam Association. He played a pivotal role in the development of the flexible polyurethane foam and furniture industries throughout his 50-year career at Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co., one of the largest polyurethane foam producers in the country.
Accepting the Hall of Fame honor for Bob Bush, Sr., were his sons Bob Bush, Jr., and Jimmy Bush. Both are members of the Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co. management team and active members of the U.S. flexible polyurethane foam, furniture and bedding industries.
Also inducted was E. Rhodes Carpenter, founder of one of the world's leading producers of comfort cushioning products. Forbes ranked E.R. Carpenter, commonly known as Carpenter Co., as one of the top 300 largest privately-held companies in the U.S., and one of the few to pass the $1 billion sales mark.
Ed Malechek, president of Carpenter Co.; Myron H. (Bud) Reinhart, retired president of Carpenter Co.; and Ann Day, E. Rhodes Carpenter's step-daughter and president and chair of the board of directors of the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, accepted the Hall of Fame honor on behalf of E. Rhodes Carpenter.
The purpose of the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame, housed virtually at www.pfa.org, is to recognize individuals and corporations who have significantly contributed to the growth and betterment of the flexible polyurethane foam industry in North America.
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