
Grammer Americas: A Look at the Company’s Seating History in the U.S.
When you think of commercial seating in North America—whether it’s in a tractor cab, a construction vehicle, or a forklift—there’s a good chance that Grammer had a hand in making that ride more comfortable and ergonomic. While the parent company, Grammer AG, has its roots in Germany, Grammer Americas has played a significant role in adapting, expanding, and localizing the company's impact across the U.S. and beyond. But how did this German seat manufacturer become such a key player in American industry?
Let’s take a ride through the history of Grammer Americas and how it came to shape the seating standards in the U.S. for off-road, commercial, and even agricultural vehicles.
Humble Beginnings: From Saddle Pads to Ergonomic Seating
Grammer AG was founded in 1880 in Amberg, Germany, originally producing saddle pads. The transition from horse saddles to vehicle seating happened gradually, in step with the mechanization of agriculture and industry. By the late 20th century, Grammer was designing advanced seating systems for tractors, forklifts, and construction vehicles.
The company’s reputation for comfort and innovation—especially in air suspension seating—gained international traction, prompting expansion into key global markets. One of the most important? North America.
Enter: Grammer Americas
Grammer’s North American expansion began in earnest in the 1990s and early 2000s. Recognizing the size and specific needs of the U.S. commercial and agricultural vehicle market, Grammer established regional operations and manufacturing plants under the Grammer Americas umbrella.
The goal wasn’t just to sell European seats in the U.S.—it was to design and manufacture seating systems that met American industry demands. This meant rigorous testing, durable construction for off-road conditions, and compliance with North American safety standards. With that, Grammer Americas offers a full product line of offroad seating from static, to low-profile (first in the industry by the way!), to full suspension seats.
Over the years, Grammer Americas grew to include facilities in multiple U.S. states and partnerships with major OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) such as John Deere, Caterpillar, and Mitsubishi Logisnext. Today, many operators in agriculture and construction rely on Grammer seating every single day.
GRAMMER Americas includes the following locations:
- Hudson, WI
- Tupelo, MS
- Troy, MI
- Delphos, OH
- Plymouth, MI
2022
Premiere of the new Ubility One seat series for buses and trains
Presentation of the new MSG90.7 for trucks and buses
2021
Joint Venture for truck seats with FAW Group, China
2019
Joint Venture with FAWSN Group, China
2018
Takeover of TMD Toledo Molding & Die Inc.
R&D Joint Venture with Allygrow, India
2017
Strategic partnership with Ningbo Jifeng Auto Parts
2016
Joint Venture for truck seats with Shaanxi in China
2015
Takeover of REUM Kunststoff- und Metalltechnik GmbH
2014
Start of production in Tupelo, USA
2013
Takeover of Nectec s.r.o., Czech Republic
2012
Joint Venture for truck seats with Yuhua in China
2011
Acquisition of Belgian electronic specialist EiA Electronics NV
2009
Completion of new R+D and manufacturing site in Shanghai, China
2008
Entry into Russian truck market
2005
Second IPO of GRAMMER AG and listing is SDAX index.
Business expansion in Asia with the opening of two sites in China
2004
GRAMMER celebrates its 50th anniversary and starts in the same year with the production of automotive center consoles
2000
Focus on the core business automotive interior and driver and passenger seats resulting in the sale of Bürostuhl GmbH (Office chair segment)
1998
Company founder Georg Grammer changes from the executive board to the supervisory board
1996
IPO of GRAMMER AG on the German stock market
1992
The foam-in-place technology is further developed into coating technology
1990
Start of the production of ICE highspeed train passenger seats
1989
Foundation of GRAMMER AG
1985
Start of serial production of automotive interior and entry in the market for train passenger seats
1982
GRAMMER enters into the bus seat market
1980
GRAMMER broadens its product portfolio by developing and manufacturing office chairs
1976
GRAMMER develops an innovative technology for the production of cushions. It is called the foam-in-place technology
1970
Start of serial production of automotive interior and suspended seats and first export orders from Europe and United States
1964
The first suspended driver seats go into production
1954
Georg Grammer, the grandson of Willibald Grammer, founds a company for the fabrication of tractor seat cushions
1880
Willibald Grammer establishes a saddlery in Amberg