EMECO was founded in 1944 by Wilton Dinges in Pennsylvania, USA. Before the end of World War II, he was awarded a contract by the US government to produce chairs for the navy. This meant that the chairs had to be both lightweight and durable. Aluminum was chosen as the material for its properties. The result was a chair with practical uses, which was named 1006, but is more commonly referred to as the Navy chair. Emeco is the only company that manufactures its chairs by hand in 77 steps. In addition, Emeco uses recycled materials to create sustainable furniture for both indoors and outdoors.
About the EMECO brand
Wilton Carlyle Dinges at his Electric Machine and Equipment Company (now Emeco) and employed local steel workers. The first order came in 1944, and the 1006 Navy Chair was used for warships and naval vessels. Thanks to World War II, business was booming, demand for the chairs was high, and Emeco boldly supplied the U.S. Navy with quality chairs. Life on a naval ship in a time of raging war is tough - salt water, salt air, the occasional torpedo exploding next to you, it requires very durable material. Emeco has managed to develop a method, consisting of 77 steps, that makes ordinary aluminium extremely strong. 1006 Navy Chair has therefore been a solid, smart and durable chair from the start. And what works for one demanding environment will eventually suit many, many more, which is why today Navy chairs grace restaurants, hotels and offices around the world.
Iconic EMECO chairs
The Navy chair was of such high quality that it was almost indestructible. In 1945, the war ended and if the chair, and by extension the company, was to survive on the market, it needed to find a new use for the chair. Gregg Buchbinder took the helm of the company and noticed that architects and designers were using the Navy Chair in a very new and modern way, in fact, commissions for the 1006 Navy chair were pouring in, even from famous design names such as Ettore Sottsassa, Giorgio Armani and the daring young French designer Philippe Starck. One of the first design projects to use Navy chairs was the Paramount, an eclectic design-focused hotel in New York. The Navy chair was a turning point - for the first time it had a different, non-unitary use.
Iconic designer Phillipe Starck
At the start of the new millennium, the collaboration between Phillipe Starck and Emeco is in full swing. Both parties are keenly exploring new ways of seating until the Hudson Chairis born. The style of the chair is clean, reductive and its simple design does not disturb the surroundings, on the contrary, it blends in beautifully. If we refer to the Hudson Chair as beautiful, that's a very understated term. Less than a year later, the Hudson is also in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Architect Frank Gehry commissioned 125 Hudson chairs for his studio. Gregg personally delivers them. The result of their meeting is the "Superlight" chair. Another chair, Nine-0 , is presented at the Salone De Mobile 2008.
It started with scrap aluminum. At that time, it didn't mean going green, recycled aluminium was just the right material for the job. Now, like coke bottles, industrial sweepers, used wood or energy-saving concrete, aluminium scrap has taken a much more modern position. People are increasingly appreciating eco-friendly materials. The 111 Navy was a revolutionary piece; its creation required new science and a lot of hard work, but if the project had succeeded, Emeco could have saved tons of scrap from landfills. 111 Navy is a chair that goes far beyond recycling. Emeco has inspired many designers to think of original projects using recycled materials and many famous and influential designers such as Philippe Starck, Konstatntin Grcice and Jasper Morrison have succeeded.
Sustainable materials and ecology
Do companies have goals beyond what they produce? I think so. Strong and intelligent choices along with strong and intelligent products are a good way to go. Emeco started this in 1944, they made chairs for the US Navy out of salvaged aluminium. Today, Emeco makes chairs that last out of scrap plastic instead of oceans and landfills. Protecting the planet is a necessity. Recycle, reuse, start with what's left over and turn it into something that lasts.
EMECO writes history
Emeco was founded in 1944 to produce lightweight, non-corrosive, fireproof and torpedo chairs for the US Navy. The classic naval chair was built to last at least one hundred and fifty years. Today, Emeco continues to lead the industry, researching and innovating ways to use consumer and industrial waste and other environmentally responsible resources to create simple, timeless furniture that meets strict environmental standards. All products are made in the USA. Emeco complies with all applicable U.S. federal and Pennsylvania state laws regarding employment, labor and, most importantly, the environment. They are committed to protecting the environment by choosing materials, methods and processes that offer the least risk to the environment without compromising design, quality or affordability. Our commitment to sustainability and minimizing our impact on the environment goes far beyond relevant laws and regulations. We have begun to measure and declare the CO2 emissions of our products, as knowing our carbon footprint is the first step to reducing it. Like nutrition labels on food, for example, carbon footprint labelling is designed to help people make more informed decisions.
EMECO chair production
Emeco manufactures aluminum chairs in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Since 1944, the factory is still on Elm Avenue and still makes them by hand. The production of our chairs requires 77 steps and a unique blend of Pennsylvania lubricants, fine-tuned with the finely tuned craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations. No one else makes chairs like this.
Websites use cookies to provide services, customize ads, and analyze traffic. Use the following option to enable all cookies or just use the ones you need to use the site.
5
