Foamade Industries -- The Philosophy

Quality to us means..

- Quality of our product and services

- Quality of our people

- Quality of our facilities and work environment

Service to us means:

- Being innovative

- Being responsive

- Being our Customer's best supplier

Teamwork to us means:

- Employees working together

- Managers working together

- A spirit of cooperation between employees and management

We believe that quality and teamwork result from our approach to employee development:

- We provide opportunities for advancement

- We help our employees to recognize those opportunities and to recognize within themselves the capacity for growth

- We provide training and other developmental tools

Since 1947, the name Foamade has become synonymous with honesty and integrity. This is reflected in the valuable, long-term relationships we have established with suppliers and customers alike. Foamade's reputation in business results from our emphasis on fairness in all relationships.

Our philosophy of competitive pricing and our effective cost containment and productivity improvement programs create profits. These profits provide a return on investment, increased employee compensation, improved facility and equipment, and contributions for local charitable activities. Additionally, we believe this approach to business contributes to improved employee job security and makes Foamade a good place at which to work.

Foamade Management Team 1982

Taking a Look Back... Our History

Mr. Rochlin dreamed of becoming a business owner when he was only 14 years old. His family felt it was an unusual idea because no one in their family had ever ventured to own their own business. With that dream he decided to attend Cass Technical High School where he mapped out his future to become an engineer. After high school, Mr. Rochlin attended Wayne State University and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering in August of 1946.

Shortly after graduation, Mr. Rochlin saw a piece of foam rubber for the first time as he helped his father re-upholster an old chair (his father was an upholsterer). He researched and found that the product known as "foam rubber" originated in the late 1930’s. At that time Mr. Rochlin felt that foam rubber would eventually replace springs in furniture and bedding. Shortly after that experience Mr. Rochlin decided that he wanted to be in the foam business. He wanted to sell cushions and mattresses to furniture and bedding industries.

As in any other business, money was needed. All Mr. Rochlin had was $900, which he used to purchase a car. He then borrowed $1100 from his sister, and with a friend that he met at the University of Michigan started the business - Foamade Industries, February 1, 1947, at 11721 Linwood, Detroit, Michigan

A few months following the opening of Foamade, in a building near Central High School, Mr. Rochlin’s friend moved back home to Buffalo, NY, and Mr. Rochlin was left alone to run the business. Shortly after his friend left, he hired a helper. Mr. Rochlin spent his days selling foam to upholsterers and interior decorators and his evenings producing cushions for delivery the next day.

In 1948, the business was moved to a 4th floor loft on Center Street in Downtown Detroit. In addition to cushions, a kneeling cushion was developed which was manufactured and installed in many Catholic Churches around Detroit.

In 1950, Foamade moved to a 3200 square foot building in Oak Park on 11 mile Road. While working in Oak Park, (sometime during 1955), Mr. Rochlin became aware of polyurethane foams - and in 1958, decided to change the focus of his business.

With four (4) other employees working for Foamade, the business changed from cutting cushions to fabricating urethane for industrial applications. Foamade produced inner linings for outer wear and packaging materials. During this period, Mr. Rochlin discovered ScotFoam materials and he began developing filters for automotive air cleaners. Mr. Rochlin worked with AC Spark Plugs - a division of General Motors and patented a filter that Foamade supplied to them for the 1960 Buick and Corvair. In addition to the automotive air filters, Foamade began to make air filters for window air conditioners. The company also began to saw/slit, and die cut different foams for gaskets and packaging. It was also at this time that Foamade began developing a filter for Briggs & Stratton and the sponge "end wraps" for Procter & Gamble. Both of these products have been produced continuously since that time.

In 1960 Mr. Rochlin realized he had run out of room in his Oak Park facility, so he decided to move the business to a new building in Royal Oak, 1220 Morse Street. Foamade Industries really blossomed in Royal Oak. The employee roster grew to over 168 people and the fabrication of foam parts included lamination, die cutting, slitting, sawing, wire burning, heat molding, and drilling. Sales grew to over $8 million per year and the customer base included Procter & Gamble, Parker Brothers Toy Co., John Deere, Ford, Chrysler, and Briggs & Stratton. The product line included filters, gaskets, seat cushions, seals, toys (Nerf) and end wraps for Lilt.

Foamade continued to grow and in 1979 plans were announced to build a state of the art manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills. The plans were to have the building open in Spring of 1980. The first department moved into the new plant in late May of 1980 with 1 team leader and 14 other employees. Shortly after that, the plant was staffed with over 200 employees.

In 1982, Mr. Rochlin and members of the management team developed the company philosophy (above) that has helped the Company define itself and prosper.

In 1985, Foamade's sales topped $13 million. New processes included heat sealing, heat molding, heat laminating, felting, and hot melt. As a tier 1 supplier Foamade began a concerted effort to become a pioneer in the areas of quality and service.

In 1988, Mr. Rochlin decided a transition was necessary for the future of Foamade and Michael Egren became President. Both he and Michael have always been concerned about the reputation of the business as well as the way people are treated who work at Foamade. During the early 1990’s not only did Foamade focus on quality and service but the business began an emphasis on team building and people development.

Sales now top $45 million. Foamade is one of the best foam fabricators in the industry, has international business connections, a team environment, on time delivery of over 98%.