AMERICAN LEATHER Becomes First Furniture Manufacturer to Adopt New Patented Packaging System

Furniture World Magazine

AMERICAN LEATHER, a manufacturer of custom designed leather furniture, announcee an innovative new packaging system designed to better protect the company’s line of quality custom furniture, while reducing freight damage and material waste. Effective November 1, American Leather began utilizing the patented Fromm Airpad System, which was the first application of this technology for the complete packaging of upholstered furniture. Fromm is a worldwide leader of protective and void fill packaging. The new Fromm System uses sheets with rows of individual air pads measuring 3x2 inches by 1.0 inch thick – each of which can withstand a load of several hundred pounds. The air pads are made by starting with two rolls of plastic film which are inflated with air; heat sealed and perforated. According to Bob Duncan, president and co-founder of America Leather, the company has tested this new packaging over the last four month and has received very positive feedback from customers. “We have shippe over 1,000 pieces to every part of the country, using various LTL and full truc load carriers. The response has been very encouraging.” American Leather applies this technology by first bagging eac piece of furniture in a five milliliter plastic bag. Heavy-duty cardboar endcaps lined with air pillows are then placed on both ends of the furniture to provide arm and frame support. The entire piece is the encapsulated in air pads, which are secured by stretch-wrap applied at the same time. Duncan added that the new Fromm system has ecological benefits since it is made from recyclable material and is re-usable. It also results in less waste since it is 99 percent air and 1 percent film. Furthermore, the Airpad System is designed to prevent furniture from moving in the package, and provides superior impact absorption to protect items during shipping. “We are very enthusiastic about this new innovative packaging method and feel that it will offer superior protection for all our furniture shipments,” said Duncan. “As a technological innovator in leather upholstery, we are constantly looking for new and resourceful ways to produce and ship our products. We have been very impressed with Fromm’s unique protection system and look forward to passing this advantage on to our customers.” Founded in 1990, American Leather is the design leader and manufacturer of custom upholstered leather furniture, and is recognized as one of Dallas’ 100 fastest growing corporations. The company manufactures and ships its line of contemporary, transitional and traditional leather furniture worldwide. American Leather showcases its line in Dallas, at High Point and in San Francisco.