Pacific Coast Feather history

At the same time, the pillow industry underwent a revolutionary change following the 1941 introduction of Dacron, which could serve as a substitute filler for feathers.

A third generation of the Hanauer family became involved in the pillow business in 1965 when Jerry Hanauer joined the company, forgoing a financial career in New York City.

Purofied, on the other hand, began to struggle, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1984 and closing its Brooklyn manufacturing plants.

During the 1980s Pillowtex acquired five other companies as it grew into a dominant market leader and expanded into areas such as mattress pads. It also established Pacific Coast Feather Cushion in Los Angeles in 1988.

He was replaced as president by Eric Moen, who joined the company in 1989 after working for several fashion sportswear companies.

In 1991 PCF controlled a 10 percent share of the pillow market and 17 percent in down comforters.

PCF patented the stitch in 1994, prompting a complaint from Pillowtex, which maintained that something as simple as a stitch was not patentable.

Tragically, in 1998 Joff Hanauer was killed in an automobile accident.

Also in 1999, PCF established a new home fashions division to offer duvet covers, and coordinated dust ruffles, pillow shams, and sheets.

Some 20 years after Pillowtex's attempt to acquire PCF, the roles were reversed: in 2002 PCF attempted to buy part of Pillowtex, but the rival's management team refused, insisting on a sale of the entire company.