Carpenter history

1952 : Two brothers, Poul and Rud, start their own company in Odense under the name Brødrene Foltmar.

1954-56 : The product range is extended to include foam cushions for chairs in hairdresser salon waiting areas, which are often hard and uncomfortable.

Its first activity is the distribution of latex, rubber foam for the company GOODYEAR. In 1956, E.R. CARPENTER becomes one of the first Polyurethane foam manufacturers.

1963 : When the premises in Odense become too small for finishing the increasing volume of orders, Brødrene Foltmar build a new factory in Aarhus.

1967 : The brothers purchase a foam machine and are able to produce their own foam.

In 1976, the group Francel settles in France at Craon in the Mayenne region with foam converting for vocation.

1985 : The international furniture and mattress industry becomes aware of Brødrene Foltmar, who begin to export foam blocks to countries like Sweden and Germany.

1986 : The company is sold to Swedish media group, Bonnier, which has also purchased the German wash cloth manufacturer, Metzler.

In 1987, Francel creates its own pouring plant at Noyant (49).

In 1988, the Chairman of Francel decides to sell the plants.

In 1989, Hyman PLC., major British foam manufacturer and converter purchases the Francel group.

In 1992, CARPENTER COMPANY ranks among the Fortune 500 companies in America.

1994 : Brødrene Foltmar become one of the first companies in Europe to introduce temperature-sensitive foam – launched under the name Celsius® visco.

In 1997, CARPENTER S.A. purchases the plants of competitor PLASCO at Huningue (68) and Albias (82).

In 1998, CARPENTER S.A. purchases the laminating plants: SONATEX (49), SAPRIMAC (49), MAILLARD (59)