Bobby Bush, Jr. Inducted Into Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall Of Fame
NEW ORLEANS, LA (November 29, 2024)—The Polyurethane Foam Association’s Spring Meeting in New Orleans brought together people from more than a dozen countries to discuss issues affecting the flexible polyurethane foam industry.
Key industry executives, researchers, EHS specialists, marketers, and technologists met at the Omni Royal Orleans for networking and presentations on foam recycling, process controls, regulatory developments, artificial intelligence, and environmental regulation for furniture.
PFA’s Industry Issues Session provided updates on end use markets, AI and potential liability, and regulatory trends in Europe.
In the Technical Program seven on the following day, presentations covered sustainability certification, reticulated foam technology, equipment developments, new chemical additives, and research on viscoelastic foams.
Dr. Philippe Knaub of FXI, PFA’s President, recognized new PFA members including Ikano Industry, Dolphin Pack USA, and Elektrotex, He said that PFA has added twenty-eight new member companies since the industry emerged from the pandemic, and noted that the association’s work for its membership is more valuable than ever.
“The contributions of PFA members for more than four decades have established our association as a credible voice for our industry,” Knaub said. “Our reputation as a resource for sound, scientific information is vital as we address challenges such as sustainability, reliable testing and proposed regulations that may affect our business. PFA has proven that cooperative efforts by its members can be much more effective than any individual company managing such challenges alone.”
During the conference, Bobby Bush, Jr. was inducted as the 36th member of the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall Of Fame. The Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame was established to honor the leaders and innovators of the industry and serves as an information source regarding the individuals and companies who have significantly contributed to the growth and betterment of the flexible polyurethane foam industry in North America.
Bush, Jr. joins his father, Bob Bush, Sr., as the only father and son ever elected to the Hall.
Bobby Bush, Jr.’s career in the flexible polyurethane foam industry spans nearly 50 years. He served for decades as a senior executive at Hickory Springs Mfr. (now HSM Solutions), supervising foam pouring lines and managing environmental compliance operations. He served four terms as PFA president, and also chaired PFA’s Technical Committee. In addition, he was the Technical Advisor for the Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC).
“Bobby Bush, Jr. has been one of the industry’s most active and capable advocates,” noted Russ Batson, PFA Executive Director. “He worked closely with the association and industry executives to help establish CertiPUR-US® in North America. This certification program administered by a nonprofit organization helps ensure that foams used in a spectrum of products meet exacting standards for content, emissions and durability, and has been analyzed by independent, accredited testing laboratories.
“Bobby Bush also has represented the flexible polyurethane foam industry before regulatory agencies and standards bodies including the Environmental Protection Agency, ASTM International and the National Fire Prevention Association. Thanks to his work, our industry is much stronger.”
After PFA’s Technical Program, Joern Struckmann of Reticulatus was named winner of the Dr. Herman Stone Technical Excellence Award. The award is voted on by the professionals in attendance during the Technical Program. The award is named for Dr. Herman T. Stone, who served as PFA’s first Technical Director. In 2007, Dr. Stone was inducted into the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall of Fame.
The Polyurethane Foam Association is a trade association founded in 1980 to help educate regulators, users, allied industries, and others about flexible polyurethane foam. PFA provides facts on environmental, health and safety issues and technical information on the performance of flexible polyurethane foam (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.
To learn more, visit www.pfa.org.