Erie J. Sauder (August 6, 1904 – June 29, 1997) was an American inventor and furniture-maker. He invented a knock-down table in 1951[2][3] and founded a company that produced ready-to-assemble furniture—one of the largest in the United States at the time of his death.[4]
Erie J. Sauder | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 6, 1904[1] |
| Died | June 29, 1997 (aged 92)[1] Archbold, Ohio |
| Education | eighth grade |
| Occupation(s) | Inventor, cabinetmaker, furniture manufacturer |
| Spouses | |
| Children | Three[1] |
| Parent(s) | Daniel and Anne (Schrock) Sauder[1] |
Early life
editSauder was born in Archbold, Ohio,[2] to Daniel and Anne (Schrock) Sauder.[1] In 1927, he married Leona Short.[citation needed] He had only an eighth grade education[4] and was a Mennonite cabinet maker. Sauder worked at the Archbold Ladder Company[citation needed] in his home town before he started his own business in 1934.[2]
Manufacturing companies
editThe Sauder Woodworking Company initially manufactured church pews, tables and other items.[2] In 1954, he formed the Sauder Manufacturing Company[2] and later diversification included the Archbold Container company.[4] The Sauder Woodworking Company manufactured ready-to-assemble furniture, while Sauder Manufacturing handled church furniture, and the Archbold Container company dealt in materials for packaging.[2] With over 3,200 employees, at the time of his death, the Sauder companies constituted one of the largest companies producing ready-to-assemble furniture in the United States.[4]
In 1975 Sauder retired, but the businesses continued to be run by family.[2]
Sauder Village
edit
After retiring, Sauder started Sauder Village which depicts life in nineteenth-century Ohio.[2][5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Erie J. Sauder". Sauder Woodworking Co. Archived from the original on 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Erie J. Sauder". Ohio History Central. 2007. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "About Sauder". Sauder Woodworking Co. Archived from the original on 2010-05-04. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ^ a b c d "Notable death". The Manhattan Mercury. Manhattan, Kansas: Associated Press. July 2, 1997. p. 15. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Sauder Woodworking Company - 2012 Company Fact Sheet". Sauder Woodworking Co. Archived from the original on 2012-09-09. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
External links
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Media related to Sauder ready-to-assemble furniture at Wikimedia Commons
