People

November 19, 2018

Hunting Joins CertiPUR-US® Board of Directors

Cyndi Hunting of Zinus Joins CertiPUR-US® Board of Directors

(Rochester Hills, Mich. — November 16, 2018) – Cyndi Hunting of Zinus has joined the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam, the not-for-profit organization that administers the CertiPUR-US® foam certification program.

Hunting is the marketing director for both the Zinus brand and Zinus products sold on partner websites. She started at the company as a product manager in

2004 and was one of the founding members of the Zinus USA team. Prior to joining Zinus, Hunting worked in the corporate buying office of Macys and in financial planning positions with The Bon-Ton and Seiko USA. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and a long-time believer in the value of the CertiPUR-US program.

The CertiPUR-US program is just finishing its tenth year. More than 50 slabstock and molded foam producers are currently certifying flexible polyurethane foams and more than 900 of their bedding and upholstered furniture manufacturers and retailers are participating in the program.

CertiPUR-US certified flexible polyurethane foams are analyzed by independent, accredited testing laboratories and are certified to be made without ozone depleters; made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants; made without lead and heavy metals; made without formaldehyde; made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission; and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million).

Certified foams meet program standards for content, emissions and durability based on the Technical Guidelines, a document that is updated regularly based on current government regulations, and information developed by science-driven chemical and environmental groups.

November 19, 2018

Hunting Joins CertiPUR-US® Board of Directors

Cyndi Hunting of Zinus Joins CertiPUR-US® Board of Directors

(Rochester Hills, Mich. — November 16, 2018) – Cyndi Hunting of Zinus has joined the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam, the not-for-profit organization that administers the CertiPUR-US® foam certification program.

Hunting is the marketing director for both the Zinus brand and Zinus products sold on partner websites. She started at the company as a product manager in

2004 and was one of the founding members of the Zinus USA team. Prior to joining Zinus, Hunting worked in the corporate buying office of Macys and in financial planning positions with The Bon-Ton and Seiko USA. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and a long-time believer in the value of the CertiPUR-US program.

The CertiPUR-US program is just finishing its tenth year. More than 50 slabstock and molded foam producers are currently certifying flexible polyurethane foams and more than 900 of their bedding and upholstered furniture manufacturers and retailers are participating in the program.

CertiPUR-US certified flexible polyurethane foams are analyzed by independent, accredited testing laboratories and are certified to be made without ozone depleters; made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants; made without lead and heavy metals; made without formaldehyde; made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission; and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million).

Certified foams meet program standards for content, emissions and durability based on the Technical Guidelines, a document that is updated regularly based on current government regulations, and information developed by science-driven chemical and environmental groups.

November 19, 2018

Fall PFA Meeting Overview

Polyurethane Foam Association Names New Executive Director At Fall Meeting; Addresses Key Industry Issues

Robert Luedeka Inducted Into The Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall Of Fame

1. LOUIS (November 19, 2018)—The Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) recently concluded its fall member meeting, which offered a forum for companies in the flexible polyurethane foam industry to discuss key issues and review new technical developments.

PFA’s two-day meeting in early November brought together more than 120 executives from foam manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and other companies supporting the industry for in-depth discussion of issues including flammability, the environment, and industry regulation.  Six technical papers were presented, and an industry issues forum allowed attendees to catch up with the association’s work over the last six months.

The meeting also marked a milestone for the association, as Russ Batson was named Executive Director, replacing retiring Robert Luedeka.

Batson joined PFA in 2017 as Associate Director, in anticipation of Luedeka’s retirement. He has extensive experience representing companies in the chemical, plastics, and home furnishings industries on public policy and regulatory issues, and more than two decades of related experience providing public affairs and regulatory counsel. He specializes in working with corporations and industry associations to advocate issues based on credible science and sound economics. He routinely interacts with elected officials, opinion leaders, journalists, regulators, code authorities, and other stakeholder groups to build understanding of issues and effectively convey organization positions.

Prior to joining PFA, he served as senior counsel, government relations, Americas, for SABIC, one of the world’s largest chemical and plastics producers. Before this position, he worked for 15 years with the American Home Furnishings Alliance as director of congressional and regulatory affairs and as vice president of government affairs. Batson holds bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Virginia. He is admitted to the bar in Virginia.

“Russ has been an asset for PFA since he joined the organization,” said Chip Holton of NCFI Polyurethanes, President of PFA. “His expertise has helped us make the transition from our previous long-time director smooth and effective.”

Robert Luedeka, who retired in September, was inducted into the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame at the St. Louis meeting. Luedeka, whose career in the flexible polyurethane foam industry spanned more than four decades, became Executive Director of PFA in January 2005, after more than 25 years as an advertising agency executive, working on industry clients including ARCO Chemical Company, Union Carbide, Foamex, NCFI Polyurethanes, the Flexible Foam Market Council, and PFA. Luedeka guided the association and industry through numerous challenges, including flammability, flame retardants, proposed plant emission standards, occupational health standards, and other regulatory issues. His expertise and advocacy helped position PFA as a strong, credible source of information for the flexible polyurethane foam industry, and allowed the association to develop strong working relationships with industry stakeholders, firefighters, environmental groups, and other unlikely partners.

“The flexible polyurethane foam industry would be dramatically different today if it weren’t for the efforts of Bob Luedeka,” Holton said. “We are all grateful for his amazing work and influence.”

PFA also elected new officers for 2019. Holton will continue to serve as President. Chris Christafedes of Elite Comfort Solutions is First Vice President. Lynn Knudtson will serve as Second VP and Chair of the Technical Committee. Philippe Knaub of FXI Polymers will be Secretary and Hamdy Khalil of Woodbridge Foam, Treasurer. Bill Gollnitz of Plastomer, Inc. is immediate past president.

Dave Simpson, recently retired from Momentive Performance Materials, was presented with a PFA Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the industry over four decades. Melissa Kern of Momentive won the Herman Stone Technical Excellence Award as her technical presentation was voted best by those attending the Technical Session. (Copies of the technical proceedings can be ordered at www.pfa.org.)

The Polyurethane Foam Association is a trade association founded in 1980 to help educate foam users, allied industries and other stakeholders. PFA provides facts on environmental, health and safety issues and technical information on the performance of FPF in consumer and industrial products. FPF is used as a key comfort component in most upholstered furniture and mattress products, along with automotive seating, carpet cushion, packaging, and numerous other applications.

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November 19, 2018

Fall PFA Meeting Overview

Polyurethane Foam Association Names New Executive Director At Fall Meeting; Addresses Key Industry Issues

Robert Luedeka Inducted Into The Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall Of Fame

1. LOUIS (November 19, 2018)—The Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) recently concluded its fall member meeting, which offered a forum for companies in the flexible polyurethane foam industry to discuss key issues and review new technical developments.

PFA’s two-day meeting in early November brought together more than 120 executives from foam manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and other companies supporting the industry for in-depth discussion of issues including flammability, the environment, and industry regulation.  Six technical papers were presented, and an industry issues forum allowed attendees to catch up with the association’s work over the last six months.

The meeting also marked a milestone for the association, as Russ Batson was named Executive Director, replacing retiring Robert Luedeka.

Batson joined PFA in 2017 as Associate Director, in anticipation of Luedeka’s retirement. He has extensive experience representing companies in the chemical, plastics, and home furnishings industries on public policy and regulatory issues, and more than two decades of related experience providing public affairs and regulatory counsel. He specializes in working with corporations and industry associations to advocate issues based on credible science and sound economics. He routinely interacts with elected officials, opinion leaders, journalists, regulators, code authorities, and other stakeholder groups to build understanding of issues and effectively convey organization positions.

Prior to joining PFA, he served as senior counsel, government relations, Americas, for SABIC, one of the world’s largest chemical and plastics producers. Before this position, he worked for 15 years with the American Home Furnishings Alliance as director of congressional and regulatory affairs and as vice president of government affairs. Batson holds bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Virginia. He is admitted to the bar in Virginia.

“Russ has been an asset for PFA since he joined the organization,” said Chip Holton of NCFI Polyurethanes, President of PFA. “His expertise has helped us make the transition from our previous long-time director smooth and effective.”

Robert Luedeka, who retired in September, was inducted into the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame at the St. Louis meeting. Luedeka, whose career in the flexible polyurethane foam industry spanned more than four decades, became Executive Director of PFA in January 2005, after more than 25 years as an advertising agency executive, working on industry clients including ARCO Chemical Company, Union Carbide, Foamex, NCFI Polyurethanes, the Flexible Foam Market Council, and PFA. Luedeka guided the association and industry through numerous challenges, including flammability, flame retardants, proposed plant emission standards, occupational health standards, and other regulatory issues. His expertise and advocacy helped position PFA as a strong, credible source of information for the flexible polyurethane foam industry, and allowed the association to develop strong working relationships with industry stakeholders, firefighters, environmental groups, and other unlikely partners.

“The flexible polyurethane foam industry would be dramatically different today if it weren’t for the efforts of Bob Luedeka,” Holton said. “We are all grateful for his amazing work and influence.”

PFA also elected new officers for 2019. Holton will continue to serve as President. Chris Christafedes of Elite Comfort Solutions is First Vice President. Lynn Knudtson will serve as Second VP and Chair of the Technical Committee. Philippe Knaub of FXI Polymers will be Secretary and Hamdy Khalil of Woodbridge Foam, Treasurer. Bill Gollnitz of Plastomer, Inc. is immediate past president.

Dave Simpson, recently retired from Momentive Performance Materials, was presented with a PFA Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the industry over four decades. Melissa Kern of Momentive won the Herman Stone Technical Excellence Award as her technical presentation was voted best by those attending the Technical Session. (Copies of the technical proceedings can be ordered at www.pfa.org.)

The Polyurethane Foam Association is a trade association founded in 1980 to help educate foam users, allied industries and other stakeholders. PFA provides facts on environmental, health and safety issues and technical information on the performance of FPF in consumer and industrial products. FPF is used as a key comfort component in most upholstered furniture and mattress products, along with automotive seating, carpet cushion, packaging, and numerous other applications.

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November 16, 2018

Bush Wins CertiPUR-US® Award

Bobby Bush Honored with CertiPUR-US® Outstanding Leadership Award

(Rochester Hills, Mich. — November 16, 2018) — Bobby Bush of Hickory Springs Manufacturing, Co. (HSM) in Hickory, N.C., was honored by CertiPUR-US® with its Outstanding Leadership Award at its recent fall meeting in St. Louis.

Bush played a key role in the development of the CertiPUR-US program, now marking its 10th year, and has continued to foster its success. He was integral to the creation of the original CertiPUR-US Advisory Board consisting of association leaders, academics, environmentalists, chemists, and mattress and upholstered furniture manufacturers.

Recognized as an innovator in bio-based and combustion-modified foams, the Duke University graduate has been active and outspoken in the fields of environmental and regulatory activity. He is technical director of the Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC) and has served several terms as president of the Polyurethane Foam Association, as well as the not-for-profit Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam, the organization that administers the CertiPUR-US program.

“Back when the certification of flexible polyurethane foam was just a concept, Bobby was one of the very first in the industry to step up and support the program,” says Mike Crowell, executive director of the CertiPUR-US program. “He was one of the architects of our original business plan, contributing an industry perspective that paved the way for success. He foresaw the extraordinary benefits this program would offer by raising the bar for foam and giving consumers comfort and confidence in the products they bring into their home.”

Past honorees of the CertiPUR-US Outstanding Leadership Award are James McIntyre, partner, McIntyre and Lemon law firm, and Robert Luedeka, immediate past president of the Polyurethane Foam Association.