137 Years of Innovation

The public transportation industry is on the move, and American Seating is always thinking one turn ahead.

Our continuous efforts in researching trends allow us to react quickly to changing needs and deliver the products and services that get millions of riders to their destination every day. We manufacture passenger seating for city service bus, light rail, and motorcoach, and continue to lead the industry with solutions that provide value and durability. Our products are on the road and rail each day in every major North American city, and we’re continually striving to exceed expectations.


You can trace our successful track record to a few simple principles—we listen to our customers, engineer the appropriate design, and continue to provide service and value long after installation. It’s our mission to constantly set and maintain the industry benchmark for durability, reliability and customer satisfaction. American Seating product solutions provide exceptional value because they are engineered and built to last.

Our Vision

Our Mission

To be a premier provider of innovative, world-class seating and securement solutions for the transportation market.

Our Guiding Company Principles

  • Provide “Best Value” product and service solutions that meet the needs of our customers.
  • Maintain high standards for our employees; serve as a valued corporate citizen in our community.
  • Be responsible stewards of the environment by using manufacturing practices and materials that lessen our impact on the planet.
  • Use the principles of continuous improvement and a team-based culture to accomplish our goals.
  • Recognize and reward accomplishment to build and maintain a strong American Seating Team.

Our Commitment

To be a team-centered work environment that is both customer-driven and profitable as we continue building on the legacy started in 1886.

Research & Development

The American Seating Difference: Designed for Your Needs

As the North American leader in transportation seating, we develop original, proven products. We don’t use designs from other countries or companies. Instead, we conduct our own research, design, engineering, investment, manufacturing and testing – all to ensure our seats will meet your needs. 

Our seats are made specifically for the North American population, culture and market – and they’re made to last for the life of every vehicle. With our customers’ best interests always in mind, we design our seats with what we call “smart simplicity” – we focus on minimizing components, creating modularity, offering inherent cleanability, hiding fasteners and even producing one-piece modules. We also devote extensive research and development to ergonomics – ensuring seating shapes and contours that provide optimal user experiences.

But don’t take our work for it. Try our seating and experience the difference for yourself.  

Environmentalism Comes Naturally

American Seating has been committed to environmental stewardship for years and has taken a proactive approach to minimizing our environmental impact.

We arm all of our employees with the knowledge and tools to increase reuse, reduction, and recycling. We also constantly examine new ways to implement the latest methodologies that will help us care for our planet from our own front yard. One of our five company principles is “To be responsible stewards of the environment by utilizing materials and manufacturing processes that are sustainable and lessen our impact on the planet.” Our products exceed the norm for durability and are often refurbished rather than replaced.

Proud to be Made in America

American Seating has a long history of "seating America", with products made right here in western Michigan.

American Seating is proud to share our 130-year commitment to creating quality products in the USA. We believe in the community we were founded in, and in the value of American made products. If you have ridden on buses in Chicago, Baltimore, Disney World, New York, San Francisco, or Boston, among others, you have experienced American Seating.

  • 100% of American Seating products are manufactured in the United States.
  • Over 75% of the raw materials used to create our products are purchased from suppliers in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
  • Domestic content makes up over 90% of our products, which far exceeds the Buy America requirements, which are currently 65% and will increase to 70% in 2020.
  • Our products are made by members of the UAW Local 135.
  • American Seating employs over 250 people in the same city it was founded in. We value American-made products and are committed to continuing to invest in the city and the country that has supported us for over a century.

The History of American Seating

We reflect on our rich history to show a track record of success and to learn from our experience and continue to deliver the quality expected from every American Seating product or solution.

1886

Founded as Grand Rapids School Furniture. First combined student desk and chair unit.

1906

The name is changed to its present day -- American Seating Company.

1931

American Seating enters the transportation business with manufacturing for city buses.

1955

The seat Rosa Parks refused to give up was the American Seating City Service Bus Seat 1221, introduced in 1931.

On December 1st, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Ms. Parks’ action became an important symbol of the modern civil rights movement.

1969

The company develops the transportation industry’s first cantilevered bus seat.

1996

The company introduces the Advanced Restraint Module for mobility aid securement in the transportation market.

2006

Comprehensive research leads to the development of InSight.

2009

The next generation in stainless seating.

2016

Introduction of Insight-Prime and Insight-Prime+.

2019

Introduction of the Integral USB Power Solution for InSight.

2021

American Seating celebrates 90 years serving the transportation industry.

137 Years of Innovation

Our continuous efforts in researching trends allow us to react quickly to changing needs and deliver the products and services that get millions of riders to their destination every day. We manufacture passenger seating for city service bus, light rail, and motorcoach, and continue to lead the industry with solutions that provide value and durability. Our products are on the road and rail each day in every major North American city, and we’re continually striving to exceed expectations.


You can trace our successful track record to a few simple principles—we listen to our customers, engineer the appropriate design, and continue to provide service and value long after installation. It’s our mission to constantly set and maintain the industry benchmark for durability, reliability and customer satisfaction. American Seating product solutions provide exceptional value because they are engineered and built to last.

Our Vision

Our Mission

To be a premier provider of innovative, world-class seating and securement solutions for the transportation market.

Our Guiding Company Principles

  • Provide “Best Value” product and service solutions that meet the needs of our customers.
  • Maintain high standards for our employees; serve as a valued corporate citizen in our community.
  • Be responsible stewards of the environment by using manufacturing practices and materials that lessen our impact on the planet.
  • Use the principles of continuous improvement and a team-based culture to accomplish our goals.
  • Recognize and reward accomplishment to build and maintain a strong American Seating Team.

Our Commitment

To be a team-centered work environment that is both customer-driven and profitable as we continue building on the legacy started in 1886.

Research & Development

As the North American leader in transportation seating, we develop original, proven products. We don’t use designs from other countries or companies. Instead, we conduct our own research, design, engineering, investment, manufacturing and testing – all to ensure our seats will meet your needs. 

Our seats are made specifically for the North American population, culture and market – and they’re made to last for the life of every vehicle. With our customers’ best interests always in mind, we design our seats with what we call “smart simplicity” – we focus on minimizing components, creating modularity, offering inherent cleanability, hiding fasteners and even producing one-piece modules. We also devote extensive research and development to ergonomics – ensuring seating shapes and contours that provide optimal user experiences.

But don’t take our work for it. Try our seating and experience the difference for yourself.  

Environmentalism Comes Naturally

We arm all of our employees with the knowledge and tools to increase reuse, reduction, and recycling. We also constantly examine new ways to implement the latest methodologies that will help us care for our planet from our own front yard. One of our five company principles is “To be responsible stewards of the environment by utilizing materials and manufacturing processes that are sustainable and lessen our impact on the planet.” Our products exceed the norm for durability and are often refurbished rather than replaced.

Proud to be Made in America

American Seating is proud to share our 130-year commitment to creating quality products in the USA. We believe in the community we were founded in, and in the value of American made products. If you have ridden on buses in Chicago, Baltimore, Disney World, New York, San Francisco, or Boston, among others, you have experienced American Seating.

  • 100% of American Seating products are manufactured in the United States.
  • Over 75% of the raw materials used to create our products are purchased from suppliers in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
  • Domestic content makes up over 90% of our products, which far exceeds the Buy America requirements, which are currently 65% and will increase to 70% in 2020.
  • Our products are made by members of the UAW Local 135.
  • American Seating employs over 250 people in the same city it was founded in. We value American-made products and are committed to continuing to invest in the city and the country that has supported us for over a century.

The History of American Seating

We reflect on our rich history to show a track record of success and to learn from our experience and continue to deliver the quality expected from every American Seating product or solution.

1886

Founded as Grand Rapids School Furniture. First combined student desk and chair unit.

1906

The name is changed to its present day -- American Seating Company.

1931

American Seating enters the transportation business with manufacturing for city buses.

1955

The seat Rosa Parks refused to give up was the American Seating City Service Bus Seat 1221, introduced in 1931.

On December 1st, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Ms. Parks’ action became an important symbol of the modern civil rights movement.

1969

The company develops the transportation industry’s first cantilevered bus seat.

1996

The company introduces the Advanced Restraint Module for mobility aid securement in the transportation market.

2006

Comprehensive research leads to the development of InSight.

2009

The next generation in stainless seating.

2016

Introduction of Insight-Prime and Insight-Prime+.

2019

Introduction of the Integral USB Power Solution for InSight.

2021

American Seating celebrates 90 years serving the transportation industry.