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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