As Manufacturing Month kicks off this October, Freedman Seating Company is marking a significant milestone — 130 years of innovation and craftsmanship.
From its humble 19th-century beginnings as an upholstery shop, Freedman has evolved into a leading manufacturer of seating solutions for buses, trains, boats, and commercial vehicles.
The Augusta Boulevard company’s products are familiar to many. Chances are many residents have sat in one of their seats during their daily commute or travel without even knowing it. Freedman Seating Company is the company behind the seats on CTA buses, Pace shuttles, hotel and airport shuttles, FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service and UPS trucks.
Now a fifth-generation family company, Freedman Seating said it continues to innovate in seating solutions for transportation markets. With nearly 800 employees across two facilities, the company recently expanded its manufacturing space to more than 500,000 square feet.
Once Motorola’s headquarters, this factory now houses Freedman Seating Company, blending the site’s manufacturing legacy with a commitment to high-quality seating solutions for the community’s evolving needs.
One of Freedman Seating Company’s core values is community connection, a priority the owners have maintained for the past 25 years. They collaborate with dozens of nonprofits, supporting programs that help individuals return to work or pursue careers in manufacturing.
“It has been important for the company’s owners, and for the past 25 years, maintaining these connections has been crucial. We work with dozens of nonprofits, whether they are programs to help people return to work or enter manufacturing careers,” Freedman Seating Company’s Marketing Manager John-Paul Paonessa said.
Manufacturing Renaissance is one of the many nonprofits Freedman Seating Company collaborates with. Manufacturing Renaissance works with manufacturers, youth, schools, social services, labor and communities to develop inclusive manufacturing ecosystems and foster thriving communities.
A few of the other nonprofits Freedman Seating Company collaborates with are Albany Park Community Center, A Safe Haven and Chicago Cares.
Freedman Seating Company, founded on June 26, 1894 by Hyman Freedman, gained a reputation for exceptional craftsmanship.
It was over 130 years ago when Hyman Freedman and Columbia Cab Company showcased at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, serving as a monumental event spanning 690 acres and drawing over 27 million visitors, symbolizing the rise of American exceptionalism.
As new industries emerged, such as delivery trucks during the Great Depression, Freedman Seating Company adapted from upholstery to designing driving seats. This adaptability led to expansions into trains, buses, boats and other commercial vehicles. The company’s ability to meet customer demands with cost-effective, customizable products has set it apart from competitors.
“We have always been able to meet the demands of our customers because we can produce cost-effective products. Our adaptability and ability to customize our offerings are what keep us ahead of our competitors,” Paonessa said.
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This article was originally published in Austin Weekly News on October 28, 2024 by Hector Cervantes.